Vivitar 285-HV

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Abbiee-x

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Hi :) I have a Nikon D80 and I just won a Vivitar 285-HV flash gun from eBay, these are the exact same flash guns we use at my university but I've read online that some of them give out a voltage which is too big for the camera and can break it, is this true? Or is this just the old Vivitar 285's, the non-HV ones? I just want to be sure it is safe for my camera because I'd be heart broken if anything happened to my baby! :lol:

Also, the listing doesn't say whether or not it comes with an off camera lead, I've messaged the seller to find out but could anyone please send me a link to the correct one from eBay or somewhere because I'm not too sure where to look :)

Any help is appreciated, thank you very much :D
 
You need to be careful with the 285 HV, there are two different versions and both look the same. The way to tell is by where the flash was made, the earlier Japanese versions can kill a modern camera, but the later Chinese versions are dslr-friendly.

If the flash is new it should come with a special pc->Vivitar cord to plug into pc port on a camera, from memory though I don't think the D80 has a pc port, so it's a moot point anyway.
 
Thank you for replying, I'll definitely check where it was made before I go ahead and try it
 
Hi,

The HV model is fine, its the older just plain 285 that can be a problem as the sync voltage is about 250V on them. That said, some of the later original model ones made in Japan, and most Korean and ones from another country that I can't remember, have relay in the output path which limits the voltage to about 6-8V. My made in Japan 285 had a sync voltage of about 8V when I measured it across an oscilloscope.

I would seriously recommend getting an older non Chinese 285 or 285-HV as the current Chinese model is not known for its reliability because of cost cutting by Sakar who own the Vivitar brand now. Cheaper components and thinner PCB's and wires are all known to have been used in this model compared to the Japanese, Korean etc ones.
 
Does the 'HV' stand for High Voltage? :D

:exit:
 
Simply easier to design - for the amount of charge coming out of a capacitor in a powerful flash like a 285, the voltage would be massive and in those days before TTL there was no danger in frying any electronics in the sync pathway so the low voltage was not a requirement.

The HV designates that it can use high voltage external power packs comapared to the lower voltage/duration ones that can be used on a 285 (and also a HV).
 
Hi, thanks for your replies :) My flash gun arrived today in the post, it had batteries in it but they have leaked inside it :/ I'm going to the shop this morning to get some new ones for it and really hoping they work! It says on the box that it was made in China, so that's good right? And there is no off-camera lead thingy, and I'm really not too sure which one to buy that will work with my flash and my Nikon D80, could anyone please help me out with that?

Many thanks :)
 
The Chinese version is the "safe" one, assuming it works. Any off-camera flash cord (except a Sony/Minolta fit) will work as there are no dedicated connections on the Vivitar, just a central pin to trigger it.

A YongNuo one from Ebay would be my choice, but as I say any old cord will do the job.
 
hi

I just got one of these for £1.99 - Vivitar Zoom Thyristor 285 vari power Flash

I dont intend on putting in on the cmera, its simply a off camera light. I plan to trigger it via YN622 tranceiver.

Any issues anyone can let me know of?

Rgds
 
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