Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 45m (147')

by Vivitar

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B001ZT3DOU
• Item model number: VIV-DF-383-CAN
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #43 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Flashes > Shoe Mount Flashes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

This high-power flash unit for Nikon digital SLR cameras is the perfect accessory for any photographer looking for reduced red-eye, evenly lit subjects, or more power for telephoto shooting. This flash can be effective at ranges of over 50 feet, reduces shadows, and adds depth to your pictures thanks to the adjustable head, which zooms, swivels and tilts for added versatility.

Key Features:
♦ Red Eye Reduction
♦ Autofocus/TTL Metering
♦ Auto Zoom and Manual Zoom Flash Head from 24/28/35/50/70/85mm
♦ DSLR Autofocus
♦ Assist Focus Beam in Low Light Conditions
♦ Illuminated LCD Display
♦ Guide Number 45m at 85mm Position
♦ Swivel Bounce Zoom Head -- Horizontal Swivel Angle: 0°- 270° -- Vertical Bounce Angle: 0°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°
♦ Auto Shutter Speed Setting
♦ Built-in Reflecting Plate and Diffuser
♦ Built-in Slave function
♦ Power Saving Function

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Pleased, November 15, 2009

By 

Dennis W. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 45m (147') (Electronics)

I am quite pleased with this flash. Integrates well with my Nikon D90. It does not function with Nikon's Creative Lighting System, but then it costs 1/4 the price of a NIKON SB-900. Plenty of power to bounce off walls and ceilings or use with a additional diffuser. The quality of your photos will improve significantly with almost any flash other than the small direct flash built into your camera. The manual and/or slave capabilities will allow off camera flash shots that will further improve your photography. That said, the slave funtion does not work well in outdoor situations where the ambient lighting is high. This is were the much more expensive NIKON SB series flash units will out perform this flash unit - remote wireless TTL flash control - I just can't understand why a flash unit SB-900) should cost more than half the cost of my D90 body. The D90 has significantly more electronic and mechanical technology than the SB900 and I'm sure the mfg'ing cost of the D90 is many times that of the SB900.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad unit, May 9, 2010

By 

Andy Davis (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 45m (147') (Electronics)

It's not a bad flash unit, I don't think it is as solidly built as the Nikon SB-600, but it is half the cost. I am an amateur, so I can afford the compromises.

It worked well in slave mode, iTTL, and in manual with my Cactus V4 wireless triggers.

Other reviews have mentioned the way the unit turns off after a few minutes to save batteries. Yes it does, and yes it is a huge pain. I was shooting product shots for a friend's chocolate shop with this unit up on a stand pointing down. At one point I had to have her stand on a chair and make sure the flash was on before each series of shots. A pain for an amateur, a deal breaker for a professional.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Old Standard in Flash is back, March 16, 2010

By 

RJG "Vanguard" (Bethany, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivitar DF383 Digital TTL Shoe Mount Power Zoom /Swivel /Bounce Auto-Focus Flash for Nikon TTL, Guide Number 45m (147') (Electronics)

I purchased the DF-383-NIK for the Nikon system. I was hesitant as others had comments regarding built quality and out of the box performance mostly DOA units. I can't comment on that as the unit we received has performed perfectly. The TTL and fill flash work as a Vivitar should. I've used Vivitar Flash units for 20 years and they are robust.
Power zoom is abit louder than expected and the internal light is of little value in most cases as its lit only from one side of the LCD screen, unit goes to sleep by itself requiring reset. But other than that it works as advertise. TTL metering. Works as a slave (S-switch on the rear) and can be triggered. Its a big unit and after using it for 2 separate jobs I can rate it a solid 4 Stars. Minus (-1) one as it not built as well as the old Vivitar's or anywhere near as solid as Nikon SL SB's units (which I have 600/800). Battery access door is cheaply made, Oh yea order some rechargeable AA batteries,I use Energizers 2,450's and Sanyo's.

Excellent value for photographers using there 1st ext flash and pro's alike.
Used on a D90/300 and D700 bodies for reference.