Vivitar 283 Tour ~Trigger Voltage

[@Otokichi786]

Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I have a Vivitar 283 system that you demonstrated, and haven't used it in over 20 years. The trigger voltage problem cropped up during The Film Era, too when automatic 35mm SLRs like the Canon AE-1 could "encounter difficulties." (This was more of a problem with the Vivitar 285 back then.;)

[@lensmanonline]

Thanks for the comment, I had the 285 before the 283 but it developed a fault and wouldn't charge up. I still sometimes use the 285 attched to my pentax ME super

[@Otokichi786]

The oldest camera I hooked up to the Vivitar 283 was a 1938 Leica IIIa to which had X synch contacts added by an Indie camera repair man. (Stop taking pictures after sunset? Let there be Light!) It was an adventure having 1/20 sec. as the fastest flash synch speed on Ye Olde Leica, since "flash ghosting" was guaranteed if there was any "subject movement/action." I also have the Vivitar lens kit + snout, which is why I didn't buy a Vivitar 285. With filters, diffusers, and lenses, one could cover the 24-135mm lens field, which was great for college photography.;)

[@cairomadox7234]

I just put a Vivitar 365 onto a Nikon D3000, it has a mains power supply! I didn't even know about trigger voltage till now, I fired it at least 20 times with the D3000. When I just checked the trigger voltage on the 365 it was running at 44 volts DC. Lovely and bright pictures, we will wait to see at what price they cost, in the future?

[@Being_Joe]

Thanks for the info. I just picked one up at the Goodwill for $6 (USD) made in Japan. I tried it on my Coolpix A and X-T2 without any damage. Will have to check and be careful though. Will probably just use this off camera or with older film cameras.

[@robertlong7723]

I have two 283's. Physically they are identical. #1 Serial 7241622, made in Japan, trigger voltage: 120V; #2 Serial 1072113, made in Korea, trigger voltage: 7.9V. Both in use - off camera with digital cameras using Yongnuo RK-603C remote flash triggers. I use four of the Yongnuo triggers. One for each flash, one mounted on top of the digital camera and one for a hand-held trigger. Works great and eliminates the risk of damaging a digital camera.

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

I have 2 and and 285 the 285 is awesome trigger v 4 v the 283 I haven’t tested yet but these light up the room with remote triggers so no need to connect directly to the camera I have Philips r 32 flash also and Metz 45 cl4 I shoot medium format film and these I will never part with because they give results

[@seamusandpat]

I have one of each! 1 at 200V (only used as a remote via a photocell or wireless trigger) and the other is 8V so I use it on the camera

[@theoldfilmbloke]

i as just given a MINT 283 ;Made in Japan; SERIAL 6072512 - booklet dated 1978 -- i have NO Voltage Gadget --- do you think it will be HIGH VOLTAGE one ?

[@lensmanonline]

The 283 was launched around 1972 and early models had a high trigger voltage around 200 volts, and as yours is a 1978 model I would think it had a high trigger voltage, so I wouldn't be brave enough to us it myself. You used to be able to get a gadget called something like flash saver which fitted between the camera hotshoe and flash hotshoe that tamed the voltage to a much safer level. Bottom line is I wouldn't use it on a digital camera, but I've used it (and still do) on my Pentax me super/super A and LX.

[@evagala5980]

Where did you get a copy of the iso/settings cheat sheet? Would love to have it! I keep over exposing everything with my flash and I can't seem to properly work out the calculations using the dial. :/

[@lensmanonline]

The cheat sheet came with the flashgun manual, if you send me a contact email to [e-mail] I will try and copy/scan or photo the sheet and send it to you. thanks

[@jessicabeltran3765]

I found one of these how much is this worth

[@lensmanonline]

Unfortunately not worth much, maybe worth slightly more to a collectors of old photographic equipment.

[@christinegordon5460]

Hi iv just got a vivitar SB-4 and it seem,s not to charge up any ideas why thank you Don

[@lensmanonline]

Sorry Christine, but I can't help, the only thing i would suggest is you have the output from the SB4 checked.

[@allnamesarechosen_]

Could I use this camera on a nishika n8000? The nishika has a flash that was designed for it that has 307v... but it's overpriced and i rather get this??? thnx!

[@lensmanonline]

As this flashgun is no longer available (only secondhand) it would be difficult to be total sure that a secondhand flshgun would work on your Nishika n8000, check out YT to see if anybody has post video's using this combo. But if possible always check the trigger voltage.

[@dukenukem5768]

I don't know why people rave about this thing. It can't swivel, needs an extra module to get all Manual modes, the foot breaks off easily, and they used the same name for both high and low voltage versions. It's crazy to buy one off Ebay as you don't know if it is a high or a low voltage one - at best you could waste your money, at worst you fry your camera. It's not like there aren't better alternatives - like the Sunpak 444D.

[@TheAndrewUy]

hi, can I have a copy of your notes? :)

[@Endogamy]

Why you are saying that this flashgun is dangerous for modern digital camera? This is nonsense and total lies, I bought one and tried it already on Nikon D40 and it works great!!! There are many people on forums also putting disinformation about this flash.

[@lensmanonline]

It's Not lies, some early models have a very high trigger voltage's. If you watch the video you would see that mine has a low trigger voltage so should be ok on modern DSLR's. The "many forum's" can't all be wrong can they ???, It's seem to me that you know very little about Vivitar Flashguns.

[@lensmanonline]

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjw5KW5pODQAhWmBcAKHQ9_BtkQFgggMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instructables.com%2Fid%2FTaming-the-high-trigger-voltage-of-the-Vivitar-283%2F&usg=AFQjCNHxW8__Ruqjx3MSV9kTGxUDIZ96Nw

[@dukenukem5768]

Did you listen to the video? SOME of these units have low voltage, SOME of them have high voltage. You are lucky - you did not check yours, but it happened to be a low voltage one. Do you usually win at Russian Roulette too?