Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash
- No Longer Available
The Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash will wirelessly synchronize with digital SLR and compact cameras with pre-flash features. This unit has twin flashes built-in. You can elect the power zoom head or the stationary head in tandem when you need maximum illumination, or use each either one individually. It has a Guide Number of 99' (30m) (ISO 100) and the selectable automatic flash output covers a distance of approximately 36' (11 m). The power zoom covers 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm focal lengths. Photographers can create soft lighting and shadow fill with the included diffuser, and with swivel, tilt, and bounce capabilities you can achieve the dramatic lighting effects you are looking for, or simply improve all-over flash image quality. The SFD850 operates on 4 AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries (not included).
- Twin flash selectable automatic flash output
- Multiple auto flash output control
- Wireless synchronization with digital camera with pre-flash features
- Bounce, swivel and zoom flash head for creative and shadow-free flash photography
| Type | Digital Automatic Slave Flash |
| Guide No. |
99' (30 m) (ISO 100) 139' (42 m) (ISO 200) |
| Auto Distance Range | 36' (4.9 m) @ f/2.8 |
| Zoom | Yes |
| Vari-Power | Automatic with variable f/stop setting from f/2.8 - 8.0 |
| Bounce Head | Yes |
| Swivel Head | Yes |
| Zoom Head | Yes |
| Off Camera Terminal | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Flash Synchronization |
Hotshoe Wireless with pre-flash Sync Cord |
| Recycle Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Power Source | 4 x AA Alkaline or NiMH batteries |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 1.9 x 2.3" (168 x 48 x76mm) |
| Weight | 7.4 oz (209.7 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 10 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
78%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (6)
- Lightweight (5)
- Consistent output (4)
- Fast recycling (4)
- Good power output (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- General purpose (4)
- Fill flash (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (7)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (4), Casual photographer (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Excellent Flash for the Money.
I wish I could have given this Bower SFD850TW flash 4 1/2 stars because it is that good, but not quite 5 stars. These are my first impressions after running a large number ...Read complete review
I wish I could have given this Bower SFD850TW flash 4 1/2 stars because it is that good, but not quite 5 stars. These are my first impressions after running a large number of test shots.
The flash doesn't quite cover a 28mm lens, however using the diffuser or zooming in to about 35mm resolves that concern. The automatic sensor is very consistent shot-to-shot, however I needed to open the lens a little, compared to the printed chart, 1/2 stop outdoors and 1 full stop indoors to get the exposures that I like. Those are my only concerns, which I consider insignificant.
The flash color temperature looks about right. The plastic hot-shoe mount seems solid and secure. Recycling time with NiMH batteries is less than 4 seconds. The instruction sheet is written in English and is easy to understand.
The slave functioned well with my Canon SX10 without pre-flash, and with my Fuji XP10 that uses one pre-flash. I don't think the slave will work if your camera uses more than one pre-flash.
I haven't evaluated the secondary reflector but I like the concept which is to add a small amount of light directly on the subject when the main flash is used as bounce.
This flash is very easy to use, but you need to be able to manually set your camera to the specified f/stop. Then you are able to vary the flash to subject distance without changing the camera setting.
I had no malfunctions during my testing, and I believe this flash is an excellent value for the casual photographer that is able to manually set the lens opening on his camera.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Flash
The flash does not fit securely enough on my Cacnon to be very stable. Also, there were little directions for it's features and use. As an amatuer to photography, I would have liked ...Read complete review
The flash does not fit securely enough on my Cacnon to be very stable. Also, there were little directions for it's features and use. As an amatuer to photography, I would have liked to have seen a better set of directions or at least something that explains each of the settings.
Reviewed by 10 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Relatively low cost
Cons
- Flimsy
Best Uses
- Back light
- Indoors
- Low Light
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
Use either for fill in or for back light with my Canon DSLR mostly for indoor and portrait photo.
It dual selection is very useful.
The battery door and the shoe need a lot of improvement.
Own for 2 months and used it for less than 100 clicks. It still has to prove its durability.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
Went to turn it on and it never came on. The ready light never came on or anything. Thought I had a battery problem so i went to replace the batteries but that did no good the flash still wouldn't turn on.
I purchased this item when I saw a review of this item from a owner who has the same camera as I do, which is a Nikon D3000, and they said their flash worked very well for them. I thought to myself, if it works for their camera then it should work for my camera. To bad for me I couldn't get mine to turn on. Maybe the one I purchased was defective but I wouldn't recommend this flash to anyone.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Excellent price value
- Well made
Cons
- Selector switches small
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Macro
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Portrait
- Special Events
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
I have used it already in Macro as well as portrait, it gives a full blend of illumination
the flowers full color came out better than they had with my camera flash.
The only reason I did not give it a full five is the plastic body, while it is strong it just don't click with me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
The flash does not fit securely enough on my Cacnon to be very stable. Also, there were little directions for it's features and use. As an amatuer to photography, I would have liked to have seen a better set of directions or at least something that explains each of the settings.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- Cheap plastic
Best Uses
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
It is built really cheap. We I removed the protection plastic film over the chart on the back, the chart came off. I needed to re-glue it. The front cover with the second flash is only hold in place with plastics pins inserted in holes. There is no clip or glue... As the switch for the single/dual flash mode is on this cover. Sometimes, while switching this, the cover come off exposing wires...
BUT..
The flash work great. I used it on a D3000 in the hot-shoe and as a slave. In my house it fires every times in slave mode. I didn't try it outside. I just bought it so I cannot speak about durability but I did about 150 shots and it still work... Don't forget this is not a TTL flash. So you will get some over/under exposed pictures in automatics modes. I like the dual flash for indoor portrait. I use the main flash as a bounce flash and the secondary to light directly the subject. I get a great effect with that setup.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lighting
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
Light group shots and portraits
Filling lighting
none
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
Still testing the flash, up to now is not bad for the price. The Twin Flash Switch has only 2 positions I think it will be much better if there is 3 positions 1 for the main flash, one for the Secondary and one for both together, another concern is the letters at the back of the flash are very small and is hardly to see which position you want to setup the switch at least for me, may be it will be clear to other people.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Doesn't cover 28mm lens
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
I wish I could have given this Bower SFD850TW flash 4 1/2 stars because it is that good, but not quite 5 stars. These are my first impressions after running a large number of test shots.
The flash doesn't quite cover a 28mm lens, however using the diffuser or zooming in to about 35mm resolves that concern. The automatic sensor is very consistent shot-to-shot, however I needed to open the lens a little, compared to the printed chart, 1/2 stop outdoors and 1 full stop indoors to get the exposures that I like. Those are my only concerns, which I consider insignificant.
The flash color temperature looks about right. The plastic hot-shoe mount seems solid and secure. Recycling time with NiMH batteries is less than 4 seconds. The instruction sheet is written in English and is easy to understand.
The slave functioned well with my Canon SX10 without pre-flash, and with my Fuji XP10 that uses one pre-flash. I don't think the slave will work if your camera uses more than one pre-flash.
I haven't evaluated the secondary reflector but I like the concept which is to add a small amount of light directly on the subject when the main flash is used as bounce.
This flash is very easy to use, but you need to be able to manually set your camera to the specified f/stop. Then you are able to vary the flash to subject distance without changing the camera setting.
I had no malfunctions during my testing, and I believe this flash is an excellent value for the casual photographer that is able to manually set the lens opening on his camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
I do interior home photos and use this as a fill flash. Works great
Pros
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bower SFD850 Twin Digital Slave Flash:
I use it for bounce mostly, and I was really impressed with the power of the flash.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Batteries & Power
Required item:
-
- Original: $24.95
- Save: $2.49
- Price: $22.46
- GBP 14.34
- Price: $0.59
- GBP 0.38
Flash Diffusers
-
- Original: $9.95
- Save: $2.30
- Price: $7.65
- GBP 4.88
Reflectors
- Price: $39.95
- GBP 25.51
Brackets
- Price: $34.98
- GBP 22.33
Flash Pouch
- Price: $24.99
- GBP 15.96
Flash Accessories
- Price: $49.95
- GBP 31.89
Books & Tutorials
- Price: $18.82
- GBP 12.02
What's in the Box
- Synch Cord
- Diffuser
- Flash Bracket
- Instruction Manual
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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