vivitar 285

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gpc1

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hi all

just picked up a vivitar 285 but have been reading that they can fry the camera.

i only intend on using it on the yn622 transceivers, will it fry those as well?

how do i check whether its an ok model?

many thanks.

gpc
 
I would not risk my camera or triggers with a 285, have a look here:

http://www.lightingrumours.com/feature-guide-to-the-yongnuo-yn-622-for-canon-2672

Here is the section from the page re high voltages and the yn622:

Can I use high voltage flashes safely?
No. If your flashgun has a high triggering voltage and you connect it to a Yongnuo YN-622C then you risk damaging the transceiver.

You could always use a Wein Safe-sync, that will protect the camera (or trigger) from high voltages.

HTH
 
Measure the voltage. My two 285s have a trigger voltage of 5.6 volts.

Incidentally, the cheap Cactus triggers have a thyristor rated at 400 volts.


Steve.
 
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ok, cheers,

it was £12 off ebay including postage. is there anything in the 'less than a fiver' category that would allow it to be used on a yn622? (unless of course the voltage is below 6v).

im not too worried as it was an impulse buy as a play around really....
 
The cheapest way is to use an optical trigger fired from an on camera flash, They are usually sensitive to infra red light as well as visible so if you don't want the on camera flash to contribute to the lighting, put an IR or deep red filter over it.


Steve.
 
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With optical triggering you have to be careful the camera flash doesn't pre-flash else that will fire the optical triggers before the camera is ready I.e. curtain sync issues.
 
Thanks gents
I think i will test the voltage forst. Hopefully its a good one and is below the 6v i beleieve which is the necessary limit for t to be able to be used on a YN622 trigger. If its a high voltage then I will probably sell it / give it to a charity shop.
I use a 580exII and yongnuo 568EX II. I will probbaly get another one of these, or look out for a cheap old school flash.

Are there any other old school flash's you recommend. Im only using it in manual for backlighting etc so dont need any bells and whistles. Just a relaible, cheap gun that can sit on a YN622 transciever without blowing it up ;)

Rgds
 
Hi all

yet to test the gun, any other old school flashes that wont blow up the camera / trigger?

They are going to be on light stands on dance floors / rain / wind etc so not too worried re condition as long as they are reliable.
 
gpc1 said:
Hopefully its a good one and is below the 6v i beleieve which is the necessary limit
Click to expand...

Where did you get the 6v figure from? The Yongnuo page only says do not connect to a high voltage flash but it doesn't state what it considers to be high voltage.


Steve.
 
i read it on the web that the safest voltage would be 6v or there abouts. Then you know you are OK.
 
Hi all

So, i have tested the vivitar with a meter and followed the instructions from here http://www.lifeisaprayer.com/articles/photography/measure-voltage-vivitar-flash

The thing is, the meter is barely reading 1.5 volts.

Im using a rapitest electical test meter
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapitest-111-Electrical-Test-Meter/dp/B0001NPZ7Y

Im plugging the black lead in the 'Common Probe' socket and the red into the DC battery socket.

When i connect the red and black leads to the flash, which is fully charged, it fires the flash. Then the charge reads 1.5v.

I would have expected either 6v (or there abouts) or 200+ volts for the dodgy models!

Am i doing something wrong / using a naff meter?

Could it be the batteries in the flash are not fully charged, they are new but have fired the flash 15 -20 times.

Any ideas??

Many Thanks
Gpc
 
just used another meter, set to DC and its showing 8.2 volts.....

rgds
 
Thats about what my one shows as well on my oscilloscope (which is just a fancy voltmeter anyway essentially), its only the very oldest original made in Japan 285's that you have to worry about as generally all those made in Korea or China are safe, as are the later Japan ones (I've got one of them). The Chinese ones however are well known for being lower in quality/reliability compared to those made in the other countries.
 
cool

mine is made in Japan, i guess its a later model.

I wonder if i can findout the age from the model number...?
 
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