Sunpak 120 J flash unit effective and reliable ...but fragile
Written: Nov 04 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Consistent light coverage with long rechargeable battery life
Cons: flash tube is exposed to the elements...be careful
The Bottom Line: Reliable and powerful flash, however I would not recommend this unit for situations where durability is a factor.
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| gregepin04's Full Review: Sunpak 120J Flash |
The Sunpak series has always served me well, as I am a photographer. I've used many different flashes over the years and appreciate a reliable source of light the produces consistent results. The Sunpak 120J with a Guide Number of 150 @ISO 100(the higher the guide number...the more powerful the flash) certainly produces a quality light. To put the GN issue in perspective, most built-in camera flashes have a GN of about 20 and a heavy duty portable flash might be as high as 200. A GN of 150 provides more than ebough light for any situation.
However, there's a few little drawbacks with the design that some might find irritating. The flash is a bit fragile with the bare bulb exposed most of the time to bumps and bangs(there is no clear covering to protect the actual bulb). It's like plugging in a Christmas light...and open to any damage
A typical sealed flashhead has a protective cover element to keep the flash tube safe. The 120J has a bare flash bulb plugged into the front. Bump into something or have someone else bump into you while working, and it might mean the need for another flash tube...and at $30 or more for a replacement, it can get expensive. If you shoot in a crowded area(such as receptions or sporting events) I would not recommend using the 120J.
If it's in a fairly controlled environment, then the Sunpak 120J is a quality flash unit that can provide years of service.
The reflector dome inserts manually and produces nice even light as the "umbrella" shape avoids the standard rectangle illumination coverage. However, since images are captured in a rectangular format anyway, I saw no real benefit from the round design.
The newer models have a one-piece rechargeable battery cluster that can easily provide 300-500 flashes(enough for a typical wedding). The battery pack is fairly lightweight compared to the "cement block" type battery pack you will find with a Metz 60CT(comparable to the Sunpak 120J, only a bit more powerful).
On the plus side, the 120J does allow you to change flash tubes in the field...whereas other flash setups must be dis-assembled in order to do a flashhead change-out. So, carry a spare flash tube or two...just in case. The tube is also has the added danger of you dropping it when packing away the unit. Yes, you can leave the tube attached...but that makes it vulnerable to bumps while in the bag or case.
The 120J has nice auto settings and of course full manual, when you want complete control. The flashhead has full "tilt and pan" capability. Bounce flash is a bit trickier than with standard modular flashes as a reflector source must be "fit" to the round edges of the reflector disk.
All in all ...a very nice flash unit for those who can be consistently careful and avoid bumps or little dings. The Sunpak 120J can be pricey at up to $500+ at some dealers, however deals can be found online for as little as $250.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gregepin04
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Reviews written: 183
Trusted by: 3 members
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