Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

This flash is very useful for eliminating unwanted shadows in portraits or in macrophotography.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I wasn't expecting a whole lot because of price, but I expected it to work. Photographers giving it 4 or 5 stars somehow got lucky. The flash I received will work twice and stop. Test button doesn't function. Turn it off and wait an hour and maybe it will work again....for two photos. STAY AWAY!!

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought one of these and had it in the return mail within an hour.

I wasn't expecting high quality for the price, but I did expect it to work.

No such luck.

I put batteries in, turned it on, and it started firing on its own. It finally stopped after about 20 firings. Trying it with my camera, it worked three times...then started firing on its own again.

What a piece of junk.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

It's working with both Nikon and Canon DSLR.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

You get what you pay for, it's not the best flash in the world and the outcase has a cheap appearance, but the flash works very good.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I do own two of these, and they seem to get more use than my Nikon flashes.
They are excellent for a budget, have multiple features, work GRATE in Slave modes, and consistently provide a powerful output. Good to use as either fillers, background bleachers, or in High Speed Photography.
One big flaw, however; It takes a full 10+ seconds to recycle after a full-output flash. Not the worst recycling time, but far from good.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought this flash to use in conjunction with my Canon point-and-shoot digital camera. I particularly wanted its bounce feature, to use off-camera.
There were problems:
1. Poor construction. Parts didn't fit too well, and the controls were hard to manipulate. Labels were tacky. The whole flash could have been made more sturdily.
2. The test button fired once, then quit.
3. The bounce flash worked the few first times, then quit.
I had read the reviews here, noting that the ratings were about 1/2 pro and 1/2 con. I took them into consideration and decided to get it.
Result: I was not pleased. But I should have expected that from its relatively low price. If well built and working, this should price out at $50-$75.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought this unit for use as a portrait fill flash. Right out of the box it refused to work. Using fresh new batteries, the ready light would glow but the test button wouldn't fire it. Thinking the batteries might be "stale," I tried another set with the same results. I tried evrything I could think of, and nothing would get this unit to fire. Vivitar -- once a proud old name representing quality -- is now just another way to spell JUNK! Do not buy this product. (It got one star only because zero is not an option.)

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

ok i use it and i hate it, but then i love it... its not functional with the camera flash its, beautiful with another flash on the hot shoe or with another slave with radio!!!! [@]

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

Construction in plastic is cheap, sometime it fires alone. For few dolars more you can give someting better.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I have three of the SF4000 I use for fill flash when doing wildlife photography outdoors at night. They trigger reliably from a camera 50 feet away. I use a quart sized zip-lock bag to weather proof them which to date has been very successful, my theory is that for the money, if one does get wet or damaged, it can be easily replaced. For the money,these are a great workhorse unit...

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

handy cheap slave

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

This works fine as a slave flash; illuminating the subject from a different angle than straight through the lens. It is much less expensive than radio controlled slave flash units.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

The flash was not fit for purpose, was totally unreliable and did not do what it was supposed to do.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

Basic flash unit. Not reliable. Had to send the first one back due to popping noises. Minimal features. Cheaply built.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I recive it and I wasnt looking for this, I was expecting a profesional flash this is very basic and the worst is that it can be use with my new bowens radios, I buy it because in the description said that can be use off the camara, but as a profetional flash with radios.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

A simple to use flash with Manual/Flash/Slave modes to suite anyone who needs a fine flash for any situation within it's specifications.

Comes with a good mounting arm, which alone can be a $15.00 item.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought two of these units. Both are very unreliable. In particular, one makes popping sounds and won't discharge properly. Sounds like it is going to explode. [...]

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought a Vivitar SF-4000 Slave flash from [...] last week from [...]. I was shocked first because the flash refused to work with standard AA batteries because for some reason the contacts missed the battery. Since I have some good hands so I removed the unit and bent the contacts so that they would contact correctly. Then the flash was fine for the day.Next day I found that flash started to miss... and sometimes go out of sync with the main flash. Upon investigation I found that the Slave Modes (S1, S2, S3, S4) did not have a "time out"... for example if I used S2 (skip one flash) and another persons camera gave out one flash burst the flash would fire to my camera's first flash and count the next flash as well... causing continuous sync issues.Later that day I found that putting new NiHM battries stopped the flash missing... Actually, after 28 shots the flash started to miss and needed new batteries!!! Later that day the flash stopped firing for good! [...] After some more Advanced Googling I found that Vivitar is now just a brand for really cheap Chinese products with no quality control whatsoever. Later I found that the same flash unit (SF-4000) is sold in other brand names as well!Please don't fall for this flash! Buy something else than this! don't waste your money and time. Vivitar is a horrible brand. I wasted [$] on this stupid brick.Flash MID #0010309

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I use the Vivitar Bounce as a slave flash to make a quick key light when I use on-camera speedlight to help speed up cycle time on flash. Couldn't afford a second speedlight right away so I thought I would try it. Worked like a charm.

Easy to set up and use, nice output, no misfires W/I 20 feet or so of primary flash. Inexpensive.

Wish it didn't fire when the timing flash goes off on my 7D in triggering off-camera speedlights. It would just be a little more versitile.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

This flash is very useful for eliminating unwanted shadows in portraits or in macrophotography.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I wasn't expecting a whole lot because of price, but I expected it to work. Photographers giving it 4 or 5 stars somehow got lucky. The flash I received will work twice and stop. Test button doesn't function. Turn it off and wait an hour and maybe it will work again....for two photos. STAY AWAY!!

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought one of these and had it in the return mail within an hour.

I wasn't expecting high quality for the price, but I did expect it to work.

No such luck.

I put batteries in, turned it on, and it started firing on its own. It finally stopped after about 20 firings. Trying it with my camera, it worked three times...then started firing on its own again.

What a piece of junk.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

It's working with both Nikon and Canon DSLR.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

You get what you pay for, it's not the best flash in the world and the outcase has a cheap appearance, but the flash works very good.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I do own two of these, and they seem to get more use than my Nikon flashes.
They are excellent for a budget, have multiple features, work GRATE in Slave modes, and consistently provide a powerful output. Good to use as either fillers, background bleachers, or in High Speed Photography.
One big flaw, however; It takes a full 10+ seconds to recycle after a full-output flash. Not the worst recycling time, but far from good.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought this flash to use in conjunction with my Canon point-and-shoot digital camera. I particularly wanted its bounce feature, to use off-camera.
There were problems:
1. Poor construction. Parts didn't fit too well, and the controls were hard to manipulate. Labels were tacky. The whole flash could have been made more sturdily.
2. The test button fired once, then quit.
3. The bounce flash worked the few first times, then quit.
I had read the reviews here, noting that the ratings were about 1/2 pro and 1/2 con. I took them into consideration and decided to get it.
Result: I was not pleased. But I should have expected that from its relatively low price. If well built and working, this should price out at $50-$75.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought this unit for use as a portrait fill flash. Right out of the box it refused to work. Using fresh new batteries, the ready light would glow but the test button wouldn't fire it. Thinking the batteries might be "stale," I tried another set with the same results. I tried evrything I could think of, and nothing would get this unit to fire. Vivitar -- once a proud old name representing quality -- is now just another way to spell JUNK! Do not buy this product. (It got one star only because zero is not an option.)

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

ok i use it and i hate it, but then i love it... its not functional with the camera flash its, beautiful with another flash on the hot shoe or with another slave with radio!!!! [@]

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

Construction in plastic is cheap, sometime it fires alone. For few dolars more you can give someting better.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I have three of the SF4000 I use for fill flash when doing wildlife photography outdoors at night. They trigger reliably from a camera 50 feet away. I use a quart sized zip-lock bag to weather proof them which to date has been very successful, my theory is that for the money, if one does get wet or damaged, it can be easily replaced. For the money,these are a great workhorse unit...

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

handy cheap slave

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

This works fine as a slave flash; illuminating the subject from a different angle than straight through the lens. It is much less expensive than radio controlled slave flash units.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

The flash was not fit for purpose, was totally unreliable and did not do what it was supposed to do.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

Basic flash unit. Not reliable. Had to send the first one back due to popping noises. Minimal features. Cheaply built.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I recive it and I wasnt looking for this, I was expecting a profesional flash this is very basic and the worst is that it can be use with my new bowens radios, I buy it because in the description said that can be use off the camara, but as a profetional flash with radios.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

A simple to use flash with Manual/Flash/Slave modes to suite anyone who needs a fine flash for any situation within it's specifications.

Comes with a good mounting arm, which alone can be a $15.00 item.

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought two of these units. Both are very unreliable. In particular, one makes popping sounds and won't discharge properly. Sounds like it is going to explode. [...]

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I bought a Vivitar SF-4000 Slave flash from [...] last week from [...]. I was shocked first because the flash refused to work with standard AA batteries because for some reason the contacts missed the battery. Since I have some good hands so I removed the unit and bent the contacts so that they would contact correctly. Then the flash was fine for the day.Next day I found that flash started to miss... and sometimes go out of sync with the main flash. Upon investigation I found that the Slave Modes (S1, S2, S3, S4) did not have a "time out"... for example if I used S2 (skip one flash) and another persons camera gave out one flash burst the flash would fire to my camera's first flash and count the next flash as well... causing continuous sync issues.Later that day I found that putting new NiHM battries stopped the flash missing... Actually, after 28 shots the flash started to miss and needed new batteries!!! Later that day the flash stopped firing for good! [...] After some more Advanced Googling I found that Vivitar is now just a brand for really cheap Chinese products with no quality control whatsoever. Later I found that the same flash unit (SF-4000) is sold in other brand names as well!Please don't fall for this flash! Buy something else than this! don't waste your money and time. Vivitar is a horrible brand. I wasted [$] on this stupid brick.Flash MID #0010309

Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:

I use the Vivitar Bounce as a slave flash to make a quick key light when I use on-camera speedlight to help speed up cycle time on flash. Couldn't afford a second speedlight right away so I thought I would try it. Worked like a charm.

Easy to set up and use, nice output, no misfires W/I 20 feet or so of primary flash. Inexpensive.

Wish it didn't fire when the timing flash goes off on my 7D in triggering off-camera speedlights. It would just be a little more versitile.