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[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Ponce, Puerto Rico on 1/26/2010
Comments about Phoenix Phoenix Digital SmartFlash PZ139 Power Zoom, Bounce Shoe Mount iTTL Flash for Nikon SLR's, Guide Number 139:
Its fully compatible with my Nikon D60 its a great on camera flash, the only thing that i didn't like is that i cant use it with a wireless trigger. In camera its really powerful but weak in the trigger. beside that its a great flash and wont let you down.
[5 of 5 customers found this review helpful]
from Kennett Square, PA on 7/29/2009
Comments about Phoenix Phoenix Digital SmartFlash PZ139 Power Zoom, Bounce Shoe Mount iTTL Flash for Nikon SLR's, Guide Number 139:
I use a flash in bounce mode mostly or with a diffuser. The color accuracy with this is excellent and it seems quite powerful enough for most bounce work. The included slide-on diffuser is great with bouncing to put some direct light on the subject for eye highlights and so forth.
I tried many different indoor tests and unless I was using my 55-200mm lens at very long focal lengths, the flash worked with the camera and made great exposures. In the case of long lengths you had to set the compensation slider on the back of the flash to +0.5 or +1.0 to get more light.
The power zoom function works and tracks the lens focal length but it's noisy -- think robot servo noises in low-budget sci-fi, lol -- but it works well.
The swivel and tilt allows you to bounce in both landscape and portrait orientations.
The construction doesn't feel "tough" and the unit uses a threaded ring retainer and not a lock like a Nikon unit -- but for this price this unit is great. There aren't a great many 3rd party flashes for iTTL and almost none at this price point.
I haven't used it long enough test battery life, but the recycling seems very fast with alkalines and the iTTL control ensures only the energy needed is utilized which should help conserve batteries.
Overall, a very good deal for casual and hobby photographers in my opinion though this doesn't seem to have the build for daily professional use. I've used a friends SB-800 and it's a whole different animal -- but it's whole lot more money!
Haven't had it long at all, so I can't comment on durability but the functionality is surprising excellent.