Vivitar 285HV v Canon 580ex & Canon 430ex

A short video showing the Vivitar 285HV - a budget strobe/flash.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/andyboothphoto

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andyboothphotography/

Thanks for watching
Any questions welcome.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Vivitar 285HV
• Vivitar
• 285HV
• Canon 580ex
• Canon 530ex
• Flash Guns
• Strobes
• Photography Lighting
• Flash Photography
• Vivitar 285HV Unboxing
• Vivitar v Canon
• Photography Gadgets
• Photography Equipment
• AndyBoothPhotography
• AndyBJ

[HawaiiTalks]

I'm currently using Impact PowerSync 16s with them now and they work brilliant!

[AndyBJ]

@HawaiiTalks Thanks, i'll check them out because I want new triggers.

[lp22hot]

can you use the vivitar flash in relation with the canon 580ex??? i have a 580ex and i love i am currently looking for a secondary flash but i am not trying to pay another 500 dollars, so can i use the 285 with the 580????

[AndyBJ]

@lp22hot No, the Vivitar doesn't have an inferred or any inbuilt sensors so cannot communicate with any camera or other flash.

You need to add a separate radio trigger or sync cable.

I would probably say a 430EX is your best bet really....but in the long time it might be worth stretching to get a new 580 even if you have to save for it a bit. I"m planning on getting another 580 soon so I have some consistency when using two identical lights

[occlicker]

I guess it doesn't matter if its ugly, since clients care more about the photos that the photographer's toys. :)

[AndyBJ]

@occlicker very well said!! I know pro's that use these flashes.

[mannymack]

The vivitar is an awesome work horse of a flash, some people call it ugly because of its old design. That is like calling an old 1980's car like (Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Delorean ect..) ugly just because they are old. Real photographers can take great pictures even with a pinhole camera and a reflector!

I've had several 285hv's over the years, sold two of them but keep one and still use it. Yeah its old design but its still being made, what that tell you. Good things never change.

[BGrahl1]

@lp22hot

Absolutely, via separate optical slave. Flash Zebra carries the ones I use (#0140) and they work perfectly with the Vivitar 285hv... just plug it into the sync port located by the mount foot and shoot. Simple.

[kyuss101]

There seems to be only one Vivitar 285 on amazon uk. Not sure if this is the HV model....did yours say hv when you bought it?

[lp22hot]

@AndyBJ thanks so much for the response. i was really trying to get around buy an additional 580ex but looks like i am going to have to take the dive.....

[scottidee]

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 ?