Sunpak PZ42X flash quick review
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| Box and contents |
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| LCD lit up, showing manual mode settings |
Specifications and general information.
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Price
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About $145
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Tested on
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Sony A580
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In the box
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Flash and multi-language instruction manual, that’s it.
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Build quality
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Very good all around.
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Hotshoe style
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Sony proprietary type for this model, others available.
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Guide number
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42 (138′) ISO 100, @105mm zoom position, and 34 (112′) at 50mm zoom.
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Guide number accuracy
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Maximum output seems similar to other models with same rating.
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LCD monitor
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1.6″ X .8″ (40mm X 20mm). No color. Pushing the “light” button illuminates the screen in ruby red for about 10 seconds. Displayed items include; flash range indicator, zoom position, TTL/Manual , Power ratio setting, exposure compensation ±1.5, digital (aps-c) or 35mm (full frame) mode, (WP) wide panel down indicator, and auto or manual zoom setting.
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Lights and switches
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On-off slider, test/charge button, lighted mode and select buttons.
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Power source
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4 AA, 1.5V
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| Recycle time |
About 8-9 sec at 1/1, but will fire at reduced output in 3.5 seconds. 1/2 power recharge is almost instantaneous at reduced output, full output requires about 7 seconds. 1/4 power recharge almost instant at reduced output, full power requires about 5 seconds. 1/8 and lower is instantaneous at full output level.
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Flash duration rating
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Not rated.
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Power saving function
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Yes, after fifteen minutes it goes into sleep mode, but will never turn off completely; wakes up after pressing any button on flash, or the camera’s shutter button, but wait for flash to charge before using.
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Adjustable power levels
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Seven full levels only; 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64.
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Wide angle diffuser type
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Built-in, pulls out and down, see first product shot, covers 20mm, (13mm APS-C) and shows on LCD when attached (WP).
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Bounce card or reflector plate
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Not included.
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Bounce positions
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45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°.
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Swivel positions
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Left, 180°- right, 120°.
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Zoom positions
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Full frame: 20mm with diffuser, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm and 105mm. APS-C: 13mm with diffuser, 16mm, 19mm, 24mm, 34mm, 48mm, 58mm, and 70mm. Will show many in-between lengths not listed in auto mode.
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Zoom type
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Internal, and fully automatic in auto mode.
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Auto format zoom
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Yes, but you have to manually select “35mm” or “digital” mode; “digital” means APS-C.
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AF assist beam
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Yes, red, works properly.
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Custom functions
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None listed.
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Connections
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None.
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White balance info
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No.
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Modeling flash
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No.
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Multi-flash emission
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No.
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| High speed sync |
No support.
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Wireless ability
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None with Sony.
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Sony ADI support
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Yes.
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Red eye reduction
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No, only works with other brands, not supported by Sony.
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Dimensions
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2.6″W x 6.5H x 2.2D 65mm x 165mm x 57mm Maximum length 6.5″ (165mm) including shoe mount. Length and depth measured with flash flat.
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Weight
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8.8oz (249g) without batteries, 12.5oz (354g) with batteries.
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| Operating temp |
0°-40°C, 32°-104°F
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| Quirks |
Will not work with Radiopoppers™ triggers with Sony cable adapter, and won’t work well at all with Sony live-view mode.
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Notes
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Doesn’t function correctly (and is not usable) in Sony’s live view mode; seems to default to full power blast for all shots. Tested on Sony A580, but may work properly with other brands. Recharge times are too long at higher power settings. This flash is the same one Fuji sells for the X100 camera at a much higher cost, only the hotshoe style is different.
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Good for
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Fully automatic use with Sony optical viewfinder camera.
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Not good for
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People wanting to use it in Sony live-view mode, wireless optical use, Radiopoppers™ use, or HSS.
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Recommended?
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Not for Sony users.
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