Umm, dude...the crappy music us what confused ya, not the exposure dial. Pick up a rebel and learn exposure in chemistry. just ignore auto anything, shoot raw, shoot manual, learn your gear for your style of shooting. Thanks for the hands on though. Try the df 383 vivitar or a 180.
The reason I think its not working is because Digital ISO is not as accurate as film ISO. it's approximated and the approximations are often considerably off.
VIVITAR 285 has NON standard SYNC port - and thus CANNOT use STANDARD sync cables suppled with PW or CACTUS 4/5 !! Does ANYONE know the adapter MODEL number for connecting these sync cables to the V285 ?
@scottidee the vivitar 285 actually comes with the vivitar to pc sync port cable. It's only about 6 inches long, but it's what I use to connect my 285 and cactus triggers.
omg kid i couldn't believe you were using that flash without a High Voltage Sync... you can damage your camera for the sake of a totally useless review...
@n64roo No. The 285HV was designed for digital cameras. You're thinking of the old regular 285. Canon cameras can take about 250v before they fry. The 285HV only puts out 12v.
@TheCrimsonFlash Wrong. The 285 HV isn't for digital cameras. The HV stands for High Voltage. No digital camera can take much more than 24v thinking otherwise is just foolishness.
@n64roo The HV is a very important part of the name. The original Vivitar 285 or283 is not safe for your digital camera, the newer 285HV is. The most important difference is the now lower than 6-volt synch voltage in the new version. The 285HV the sunpac 383 is also a good flash for digital just as bright and the turn all angles
Why get a shoe sync cord if the flash doesn't meter ttl? If you want to have the vivitar off camera maybe try the wireless ones from ebay. I don't think they need any sync cords with the 285hv.
@Oscar3dM The Sync cord would be nice if you didn't have a hot-shoe on your camera, but you had a PC port. And also if you've ever used V2S cactus triggers, I like to keep mine plugged in with the sync cord instead of mounted on the device as it doesn't stand on its own well.
@AsianStvex its really simple all you do is hit the "info button" twice. The first screen is full of info that's interesting and all, but the second has the important stuff!
@AsianStvex its really simple all you do is hit the "info button" twice. The first screen is full of info that's interesting and all, but the second has the important stuff!
I haven't used an old Vivitar flash like that before, but you realize that the flash power & aperture are both dependent on the distance of the flash in relation to the subject, right? There ought to be a distance variable on the flash calculator.
The cactus trigger receiver is hot shoe, you don't need the cable. Just plug the flash into the receiver's hotshoe and trigger it with the transmitter. I use two 285hvs and two cactus receivers with a transmitter on a canon body works fantastic.
hello, i just bought this flash, and cant seem to get it to work. i know the batteries are installed corect because the auto modes backlight comes on when i press the calculoator dial light button. . .
but i cant get the ready light to come on at all.
read the manual, you need to do something called forming the capacitor... It's in there, you basically just keep hitting the test fire button until it starts to charge correctly, the manual explains better.
Yup, you use an umbrella holder that mounts to the top of your lightstand with a swivel along with adjusting the angle of the flash head. You can attach the receiver either via a hotshoe on the top of your lightstand, or you can use a metal barrel spigot (just a round piece of metal with a threaded end) and thread it onto your cactus receiver.
dude I do know how a lightstand works, but my flash has always been to heavy to use on the trigger (it would slip) and why bother having all that stacked up when I can just plug it in and velcro it to the side?
Because it doesn't require a cable or velcro. It adds ~3 inches not exactly a big deal. Do whatever you want I just said you don't need the cable. I apologize for commenting it won't happen again.
dude c'mon lets not make a big deal here. i get where you're coming from. No you don't need it, it's how I do it I've tried other ways just how I find it works for me.
(also how did we get down here? i don't think this is stemmed off the original comment)
Thanks for the information. However, I'm considering purchasing (3) 285 HV Flash Vivitars, only because I can't aford the Canon Speedlite 580 EX. For the price of one Canon speedlite I figured I can afford to buy 3 Viivtars and still have money to spare. My ? is, can I sync all 3 Vivtars to work together?
Yes, you can sync all three in a couple of different ways. If you have some wireless triggers (like the Cactus triggers mentioned in this video), you just get one receiver for each flash. Or you could use optical slave sensors for hot shoe flashes, and use one flash as master.
Great flash! I got one for my Canon Rebel XT (350D) 3 days ago. Also still learning. I think you forgot to re-set the aperture when you changed color. Also try bouncing at the ceiling (but open your aperture between 1/2 and 1 stop of the indicated by the dial).
Umm, dude...the crappy music us what confused ya, not the exposure dial. Pick up a rebel and learn exposure in chemistry. just ignore auto anything, shoot raw, shoot manual, learn your gear for your style of shooting. Thanks for the hands on though. Try the df 383 vivitar or a 180.
isoloveyourfeet 7 months ago
The reason I think its not working is because Digital ISO is not as accurate as film ISO. it's approximated and the approximations are often considerably off.
check DxOMark to see what I'm talking about.
bronxboyXXX 1 year ago
VIVITAR 285 has NON standard SYNC port - and thus CANNOT use STANDARD sync cables suppled with PW or CACTUS 4/5 !! Does ANYONE know the adapter MODEL number for connecting these sync cables to the V285 ?
scottidee 1 year ago
@scottidee the vivitar 285 actually comes with the vivitar to pc sync port cable. It's only about 6 inches long, but it's what I use to connect my 285 and cactus triggers.
JakeOConnell 1 year ago
specifically SPECIFICALLY mentioned that the Vivitar 285 has a NON STANDARD sync port and that we
CANNOT use the Vivitar SUPPLIED cable .
* SYNCING the the 285 with RADIO triggers REQUIRES a vivitar specific adapter to FIT OVER
a STANDARD sync jack
scottidee 1 year ago
I hear the vivitar 285 made in japan will fry anything it touches even any receivers is this true? cause i wanna buy wireless triggers asap
RobSteez 1 year ago
LOL...Halo Music :D
shangsta73 1 year ago
omg kid i couldn't believe you were using that flash without a High Voltage Sync... you can damage your camera for the sake of a totally useless review...
n64roo 1 year ago
@n64roo No. The 285HV was designed for digital cameras. You're thinking of the old regular 285. Canon cameras can take about 250v before they fry. The 285HV only puts out 12v.
TheCrimsonFlash 1 year ago
@TheCrimsonFlash Wrong. The 285 HV isn't for digital cameras. The HV stands for High Voltage. No digital camera can take much more than 24v thinking otherwise is just foolishness.
n64roo 1 year ago
@n64roo The 285HV was made with a low voltage trigger of 6v - 12v. So therefore it CAN be used on a digital camera.
TheCrimsonFlash 1 year ago
@n64roo The HV is a very important part of the name. The original Vivitar 285 or283 is not safe for your digital camera, the newer 285HV is. The most important difference is the now lower than 6-volt synch voltage in the new version. The 285HV the sunpac 383 is also a good flash for digital just as bright and the turn all angles
loosestudios 4 months ago
Why get a shoe sync cord if the flash doesn't meter ttl? If you want to have the vivitar off camera maybe try the wireless ones from ebay. I don't think they need any sync cords with the 285hv.
Oscar3dM 1 year ago
@Oscar3dM The Sync cord would be nice if you didn't have a hot-shoe on your camera, but you had a PC port. And also if you've ever used V2S cactus triggers, I like to keep mine plugged in with the sync cord instead of mounted on the device as it doesn't stand on its own well.
JakeOConnell 1 year ago
ummm no
bust1down 1 year ago
which camera is that?
AsianStvex 1 year ago
@AsianStvex Canon EOS 40D
JakeOConnell 1 year ago
@JakeOConnell how do you make the LCD screen show all that stuff (aperture, shutter speed) I just bought a 40D
AsianStvex 1 year ago
@AsianStvex its really simple all you do is hit the "info button" twice. The first screen is full of info that's interesting and all, but the second has the important stuff!
JakeOConnell 1 year ago
@AsianStvex its really simple all you do is hit the "info button" twice. The first screen is full of info that's interesting and all, but the second has the important stuff!
JakeOConnell 1 year ago
I haven't used an old Vivitar flash like that before, but you realize that the flash power & aperture are both dependent on the distance of the flash in relation to the subject, right? There ought to be a distance variable on the flash calculator.
ulose2piranha 2 years ago
Shouldn't you not be using a high voltage flash with a newer camera ? It can fry the hot shoe
Astronomyking 2 years ago
The 285Hv has a safe voltage trigger.
The older 285 and 283 can be and not be safe.
I own a 283 but its trigger voltage is at 12.
iweedful 2 years ago
Ah okay, I didn't realize the new ones are safe. I have the older versions and I had to buy a Wein Safe Sync
Astronomyking 2 years ago
Nice video!
paulpker121 2 years ago
The cactus trigger receiver is hot shoe, you don't need the cable. Just plug the flash into the receiver's hotshoe and trigger it with the transmitter. I use two 285hvs and two cactus receivers with a transmitter on a canon body works fantastic.
jon780 2 years ago
but, do you use yours on lightstands w/ umbrellas? because then your light is not being diffused through the center if you have it that high off
JakeOConnell 2 years ago
hey, what if you want to use this flash as a off camera flash what would you need?
moneymark 2 years ago
buy off camera triggers, like ebay triggers. the packs usually come with a transmitter and a receiver
vinh291 2 years ago
hello, i just bought this flash, and cant seem to get it to work. i know the batteries are installed corect because the auto modes backlight comes on when i press the calculoator dial light button. . .
but i cant get the ready light to come on at all.
please help. . .
DroppinHammers1993 2 years ago
read the manual, you need to do something called forming the capacitor... It's in there, you basically just keep hitting the test fire button until it starts to charge correctly, the manual explains better.
JakeOConnell 2 years ago
Yup, you use an umbrella holder that mounts to the top of your lightstand with a swivel along with adjusting the angle of the flash head. You can attach the receiver either via a hotshoe on the top of your lightstand, or you can use a metal barrel spigot (just a round piece of metal with a threaded end) and thread it onto your cactus receiver.
jon780 2 years ago
dude I do know how a lightstand works, but my flash has always been to heavy to use on the trigger (it would slip) and why bother having all that stacked up when I can just plug it in and velcro it to the side?
JakeOConnell 2 years ago
Because it doesn't require a cable or velcro. It adds ~3 inches not exactly a big deal. Do whatever you want I just said you don't need the cable. I apologize for commenting it won't happen again.
jon780 2 years ago
dude c'mon lets not make a big deal here. i get where you're coming from. No you don't need it, it's how I do it I've tried other ways just how I find it works for me.
(also how did we get down here? i don't think this is stemmed off the original comment)
JakeOConnell 2 years ago
Thanks for the information. However, I'm considering purchasing (3) 285 HV Flash Vivitars, only because I can't aford the Canon Speedlite 580 EX. For the price of one Canon speedlite I figured I can afford to buy 3 Viivtars and still have money to spare. My ? is, can I sync all 3 Vivtars to work together?
whoppers1000 3 years ago
Yes, you can sync all three in a couple of different ways. If you have some wireless triggers (like the Cactus triggers mentioned in this video), you just get one receiver for each flash. Or you could use optical slave sensors for hot shoe flashes, and use one flash as master.
pestbarn 3 years ago
thank you for your information. I really appreciate it. thanks again.
whoppers1000 3 years ago
lovin the halo music
CG0R3 3 years ago 2
Great flash! I got one for my Canon Rebel XT (350D) 3 days ago. Also still learning. I think you forgot to re-set the aperture when you changed color. Also try bouncing at the ceiling (but open your aperture between 1/2 and 1 stop of the indicated by the dial).
garoto1973 3 years ago