need a really powerful flash...cheap

[amuderick]

My Rollei E 36 RE flash guns are starting to fail me. Instead of scavenging ebay for more of the same, I was thinking of finding a different model flash. I plan on using it with my Sputnik 3D camera. So, I need a LOT of power (guide number) and don't really care about recharge time...if I take a shot a minute, it is a lot. Also, I want something really cheap. ;-)

Suggestions?

[fotch]

Where are you located and what is the budget? Cheap may mean different things to different people. Location is important because some locations have lots to choose from, other places very little, both of these variables effect prices. Do you know what the light output of your existing flash is?

[lxdude]

Sunpak 555's are cheap and powerful. And tough. It's what I use for throwing a lot out there.

[amuderick]

I am in Philadelphia. The sunpak looks decent. My rollei is a gn 150 as well. It let's me shoot at f/16 and 10ft. It also looks cheap...probably since it doesn't support ettl.

Additional model # suggestions appreciated

[Q.G.]

That sort of power, and no TTL-control, a Metz 45 CT-1.
Used, they sometimes go for peanuts.

[tkamiya]

I also have Metz. My favorite is Metz 45CT-3. Guide number 145 I think. 65 dollars-ish at KEH. I like it so much I just bought a second one.

[benjiboy]

A Metz 60 CT1 has a guide number of 60 metres, so powerful will nearly remove wallpaper, and cheap second-hand.

[Christopher Walrath]

Check out Calumet (APUG partner) at their location on Market St. Lots of used/consigns in house.

[holmburgers]

I think what you've described are FLASH-BULBS.

Get a Honeywell Tilt-A-Mite or similar. It can use AG1 and M bulbs and maybe others (not sure, just got mine). Guide numbers in the hundreds, cheap if bought in lots on eBay or found in antique malls and they have nearly unlimited coverage when used w/o a reflector.

My 2 cents

[craigclu]

Any of the flashes mentioned will do a nice job... Another one to consider is the Agfa 643CS. GN of 212, built-in diffusers, wink light fill flash (second flash tube). They slip through eBay from time to time at rather low prices. I've accumulated a number of these and some Quantum battery equipment to ease the battery consumption (these are 12V and run on 8 AA cells). They have a unique drum head/swivel design that allows bounce/wink from any angle.