Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash
The SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash from Vivitar can be used as both a normal bounce zoom flash or as a slave. This flash features 4 slave modes that allow it to work with cameras that fire their built-in flash immediately or cameras that have a single or multiple flash red eye reduction system. Please check your cameras instruction manual to determine which flash system your camera has.
The SF400 has a multi-angle 3-position zoom head that covers wide angle, normal, and telephoto distances. It is compatible with Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus, and Minolta digital SLR Cameras.
- For use with digital SLR cameras
- Works with any digital camera
- 3 position zoom head (Wide, Normal and Tele)
- Multi-angle bounce flash head
- Uses 4 AA batteries
- Weighs only 11.64 oz without batteries
| Mount | Shoe |
| Guide No. | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Angle of Coverage | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Vari-Power | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| TTL Dedication | No |
| Bounce Head | Yes, +0° to +90° |
| Recycle Time | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Power Source | 2x AA Alkaline, Lithium Batteries |
| Weight | 14.7 oz / 417 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 14 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
57%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (7)
- Good power output (6)
- Lightweight (6)
- Consistent output (5)
- Fast recycling (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill flash (7)
- General purpose (6)
- Portraits (5)
- Night photography (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (6), Semi-pro photographer (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great Flash, Outstanding Value
I purchased the flash as a slave flash to use with my Canon and Fuji point and shoot digital cameras. It is easy to use and can be adjusted for cameras that utilize a pre-flash...Read complete review
I purchased the flash as a slave flash to use with my Canon and Fuji point and shoot digital cameras. It is easy to use and can be adjusted for cameras that utilize a pre-flash. It uses AA batteries which is a plus.
As a supplemental flash it does the job and throws a lot of light. I am very pleased with the look of my photos. When using a point and shoot camera, the flash is bigger than the camera.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Never buy Vivitar
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...Read complete review
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
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 14 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-14
Pros
- Good Color Value
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Night Time
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!!!! [@]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Weak
Best Uses
- Night Time
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Inexpensive reliable
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
- wildlife photography
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...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Cheap plastic
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:
handy cheap slave
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Not reliable
- Slow Recycling
Best Uses
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Bulky
- Not Interchangeable
Best Uses
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
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 $15.00 item.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:
I bought two of these units. Both are very unreliable. In particular, one makes popping sounds and won't discharge properly. Sounds like it is going to explode. [...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Slow Recycling
- Weak Output
Best Uses
- Brick
- Fill the Trashcan
- Something to Crush
- Toy
Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:
I bought a Vivitar SF-4000 Slave flash from [...] last week from [...]. I was shocked first because the flash refused to work with standard AA batteries because for some reason the contacts missed the battery. Since I have some good hands so I removed the unit and bent the contacts so that they would contact correctly. Then the flash was fine for the day.Next day I found that flash started to miss... and sometimes go out of sync with the main flash. Upon investigation I found that the Slave Modes (S1, S2, S3, S4) did not have a "time out"... for example if I used S2 (skip one flash) and another persons camera gave out one flash burst the flash would fire to my camera's first flash and count the next flash as well... causing continuous sync issues.Later that day I found that putting new NiHM battries stopped the flash missing... Actually, after 28 shots the flash started to miss and needed new batteries!!! Later that day the flash stopped firing for good! [...] After some more Advanced Googling I found that Vivitar is now just a brand for really cheap Chinese products with no quality control whatsoever. Later I found that the same flash unit (SF-4000) is sold in other brand names as well!Please don't fall for this flash! Buy something else than this! don't waste your money and time. Vivitar is a horrible brand. I wasted [$] on this stupid brick.Flash MID #0010309
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
Cons
- 7D offcam SL compatable
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Portraits
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.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:
This slave flash can be concentrated in a smaller area of focus, either to create a "hot spot" or emphasize a point of interest. A very good flash unit for a very reasonable price.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about Vivitar SF4000 Bounce Zoom Slave Flash:
I purchased the flash as a slave flash to use with my Canon and Fuji point and shoot digital cameras. It is easy to use and can be adjusted for cameras that utilize a pre-flash. It uses AA batteries which is a plus.
As a supplemental flash it does the job and throws a lot of light. I am very pleased with the look of my photos. When using a point and shoot camera, the flash is bigger than the camera.
Displaying reviews 1-14
Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.23
-
- Original: $13.99
- Save: $1.40
- Price: $12.59
Rain Protection
- Price: $29.95
- Limited supply at this price
Books & Tutorials
- Price: $18.82
What's in the Box
- Camera Hot Shoe Bracket
- User's Manual
- 1-Year Manufacturer's Limited Warranty
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