Sunpak PF30X hot shoe flashgun review

Gallery

Verdict:

It’s a little slow and lacks manual control, but this is an affordable option for flash-lit automatic exposures without the rabbit-in-the-headlights effect.

Review Date: 20 Mar 2010

Price when reviewed: £71

Buy it now for: £65
(see more store prices)

Supplier: http://www.microglobe.co.uk

Reviewed By: Ben Pitt

Our Rating 4 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

Sunpak’s PF30X is available in three versions for different camera brands. We tested the Nikon model, but it’s also available for Canon (part code PF30XC) and Sony (PF30XS) cameras. Each model supports the brand’s TTL flash metering for automatic exposures controlled by the attached camera.

Most TTL flashguns cost considerably more than the PF30X, so it’s not surprising that its features are limited. There’s no manual mode, and there are just two buttons for adjusting exposure compensation in half-stops from –1.5 to +1.5EV.

Crucially, though, the flash head tilts upwards by up to 90 degrees to bounce light off the ceiling, giving far more natural-looking results than the direct flash. Its 30m guide number is more than twice as powerful as most built-in flashes, and is usually enough to use this bounce effect without resorting to high ISO speeds.

Powered by just two AA batteries, its 8-second recycle time at full power is fairly slow. Otherwise, though, the PF30X is a solid choice, with reliable exposures and a bounce function for better results than any built-in flash can muster.

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