ethan wrote:NZCaver - How are you manually firing it? Is there a "test" button?...Also, what is the cycle time? How do you compare its power to a that of a Vivitar 285? I see published guide number of around 100 for the 285, but nothing mentioned for the MS-1. I'm just a little skeptical of anything that runs of a pair of AAA cells...
As Realms said, yes there is a test button on the back of the MS-1 (it also doubles as the "ready light"). The cycle (and startup) time on mine is more like 5 seconds, using my normal NiMH batteries (I just timed it) - and those AAAs seem to last pretty well. As I previously mentioned, it's really only good as a fill-in flash. If you're going to be doing anything serious, you're going to want something bigger. The reason I got mine is because it was cheap, VERY compact, and better than NOT having a separate flash (for short-medium range shots, anyway). Being about the same intensity as any on-camera flash, it won't really improve the range of your shots - but it should improve the quality and give some more lighting options. I've taken it caving many times, and it's held up surprisingly well to being knocked around.
By trial-and-error, I came up with a rather interesting way to use it. On my old crappy snappy digital camera, I have a "sunset" mode. It fires a lower-intensity flash (double flash) but leaves the shutter open longer than usual - maybe 1/2 to 1 second. I would steady the camera on something (sometimes my tiny pocket-tripod), and either have someone else manually fire the MS-1 as soon as they see the camera flash, or do it myself. (I put a piece of tape over the MS-1 sensor to stop it firing automatically on the first flash.) I have since "upgraded" my camera, my flashes, and my photography techniques, so I don't usually do this anymore. However, it gave reasonable results (better than not using a second flash) and others might find this technique useful.
I couldn't find the guide number for the MS-1 anywhere (surprise surprise), but I imagine it's only about 20-30 @ ISO 100. The flashes I normally use now are a Vivitar (GN 79 @ ISO 100), and an Achiever (GN 56-112 @ ISO 100 - it's a zooming flash). I'm always keeping my eyes open for something bigger and better though...