Customer Reviews

Bower SFD926C Autofocus Dedicated e-TTL I/II Power Zoom for Canon EOS 7D, 5D, 60D, 50D, Rebel T3, T3i, T2i, T1i, XS Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Right out of the box I noticed a slight wiggle in the flash unit after mounting it to the camera. The next day the flash unit wiggle turned into a serious lean and flopping instead of wiggling. I could here the spring in the shoe mount when I tried to stand it up right. The outer shoe adapter housing that mounts to the flash unit body uses steel screws into steel threads. However, inside the adapter housing is a metal plate that holds the adapter together, it uses steel screws into plastic threads. One screw hole was stripped and the screw was half way out. The other screw was not far behind and was stripped beyond a snug fit. These two screws and a metal plate compress the spring and are what's really keeping the unit together and upright. The metal power contact plates are fastened with steel into plastic but they don't bare any of the weight. Anyway, it's not easy to describe without knowing the name of the actual parts. The bottom line is that there are two screws going into plastic threads that keep it from coming apart and they may come stripped like mine.

My choices were to send it back and get another one with the same cheap construction or just return the flash. I needed the flash the next day so I decided to make my own modifications with some epoxy. A little bit of epoxy in each screw hole and on the metal plate did the trick. I don't recommend doing this if you're not mechanically or electrically inclined. It also voids the warranty. I chose to do my own repairs because I had to and until I'm ready to spend the big bucks on good flash unit. I don't recommend buying the Bower SFD 290. The flash itself works well but it's just one plastic thread hole away from crashing to the floor.

I got this in the mail fairly quick, the flash has a strong construction, and works fairly well. main disappointment is that you have to wait up to 8 seconds to take another shot without ruining the flash, and that the shoe is made of plastic. But other than that pretty decent flash for the price. I use it with a photoiox Diffuser and an Olympus E-510.

I needed a flash for my Canon Digital Rebel XSi and I didn't want to invest in a Canon flash. This Bower was less expensive and I wanted a Flash with Bounce and Zoom head. I am happy with the good results this Flash gives, more then I expected. I've used it for closeups, close range, big rooms. I'm happy with the results and I would recommend it.

I am basically a beginner in the SLR digital camera field. The tiny flash that comes with the camera was not good enough for the long zoom shots (ie in large auditoriums, and large function rooms) Found this the hard way, missed a lot of shot opportunity. Anyway, read through some forums and some peeps were suggesting a larger external flash. I searched online and found Amazon has a reasonable flash with good price and review. I was not sure what i was to expect since this will be my first flash but my pictures came out really, really good with its use. Clarity and sharpness increased in dark room condition. Although i did find out that rooms with high ceilings still was a problem. Zoom shots were better. If you are shooting near shots (no zoom) in a room with normal ceiling heights than this is a very good tool to have but if for high ceilings that are very high (eg: in a church) i would still use the built in flash. I am still learning the ropes on SLR shooting with this flash but overall i would say that this was a very good buy for me (a beginner).

I just received this flash in today, I will say that I received it rather quickly...but, I didn't receive the flash that is pictured, nor did it have the technical details that was listed for this flash. The item number is the same, but there is no LCD screen, nor are there the built in diffuser or reflector. The zoom length listed is incorrect. Do not buy this thinking you are getting the technical details listed, which is the reason I picked this one, you will be sorely disappointed just like I was! Was this a bait and switch or an honest mistake? I don't know...I've contacted the seller, but it's too soon to have heard from them.

Be aware unsuspecting buyers. This is a bit of a bait and switch listing. The item part number in the title does not match the pictures or the techincal description of the item. Do not order this item unless you want the cheaper SFD290 model. The SFD926 model is the item that all the technicla specs and the pictures refer to. Be aware!!!

I bought this flash after reading reviews and thought it would be a good buy. Wow, what a mistake... the shoe on this is made from flimsy plastic and broke in LESS than a week, making the flash useless. Construction quality is absolutely horrible. Wish I could get a replacement or my money back!

This flash is of course of cheaper construction than the more expensive Canon flashes but it still works great. It puts out an extremely bright flash so if you are going to buy it you should buy a diffuser for sure. It works exactly as stated and I am very happy with my purchase. I recommend this for the avid hobbyist or a new photographer.

I've had this flash for over a year and just love it. I shoot family, animals, scenery and whatever I find. The flash has never let me down and I get great results.

I have always bought Bower flashes. They do the trick and they don't leave me broke. I buy recharging batteries and pop them in the charger when it needs it. I could make it through two shoots. It takes 4 AA batteries.