vivitar 285HV, anyone got experience?

[joshman]

hey guys, i'm tempted to buy a second flash unit, for the hell of it more than anything, and so i can start to have some real fun, and these seem to be a reasonably cheap option, so i'm womdering who has experience with this thing and could tell me how they perform, and what feature set they have?

[Songman45]

If the updated thing is anything like the original 285 or 283 you should love it. I had the 285 and it was a workhorse, reliable and sturdy. The reviews I've seen of the HV are favorable.

[joshman]

very nice, how does the output vary from something like the canon 580ex?

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by joshman

very nice, how does the output vary from something like the canon 580ex?

I think the main thing about the Vivitar is that unlike Canon's older flashes, it has a PC connector, easier, controls (dials instead of menus) and it considerably less expensive compared to the Canon Speedlites. Guide number-wise it looks to be not as powerful as the 580EX II. It has a Gn of 140 v. Canon's 191. Also, this is not eTTL and is not recommended to sit on your shoe. Have you checked out the Canon 550EX Speedlite? They should be fairly inexpensive nowadays.

[cyclohexane]

It doesn't swivel side to side, only up and down, so you'll need to put it on a stand or something to go side to side. Since it's your second flash, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Vivitar uses a proprietary sync connection, but you can avoid this problem all together by using something like a Wein peanut slave.

[00silvergt]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

It doesn't swivel side to side, only up and down, so you'll need to put it on a stand or something to go side to side. Since it's your second flash, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Vivitar uses a proprietary sync connection, but you can avoid this problem all together by using something like a Wein peanut slave.

Oops, My bad, I thought it had the PC connection, thanks for that.

[cyclohexane]

One end is PC, the other is an end unique to Vivitar.

[rshunk]

Another choice would be the Sunpak 383 - same power, but it swivels.


Bob S.

[kgphoto]

Holly Enterprises changes the foot to a metal foot that won't break and then becomes a standard AC sync plug.

[Julio]

I had 285's most of my time , the only thing I don't like is the long reclycling time.

[joshman]

ah kay, do better batteries affect the recycle time?

[Danlphot]

Originally Posted by joshman

ah kay, do better batteries affect the recycle time?

I just tested recycle times with a Quantum 1+ battery (not a Turbo). Full recycle times (discharge to flashing green/red lights) are as follows:

Full power = 10 seconds
Half power = 5 seconds
Quarter power = 3 seconds

I have had good results with NiMH rechargables also. Recycle times can definitely be very long with weaker or nearly spent batteries, however, I have photographed as many as 100 sports individual shots (waist up) at 1/4 or 1/2 power in fairly rapid succession and still had plenty of power to spare using the Quantum batteries.

Dan

[kgphoto]

I get much better results with my units. If you have it at 1/4 power you should get 3-4 flashes as fast as you can shoot before it needs to recycle, otherwise it is putting out the same light at each time.

For real improved recycle time, get a Quantum Turbo Battery or equivalent.

[Kiron Kid]

The older ones are VERY good. A few years ago, Vivitar discontinued them. But, due to high demand, they recently began producing them again, in China. Sadly, the quality control was hideous and they were very unreliable, so Vivitar has recently discontinued them again. Get one of the older ones. They are great. The very early "made in Japan" models are HIGH voltage. Test the voltage amount before attaching to a camera hotshoe. The later "made in Korea" models are very good and low voltage.

Kiron Kid

[Kiron Kid]

Originally Posted by Julio

I had 285's most of my time , the only thing I don't like is the long reclycling time.

Once I quit using alkalines and went to rechargeable NiHM's or lithiums, the recycle time became quite fast.

[Julio]

GooooooooooD
which bateries are you using now?

[Kiron Kid]

Originally Posted by Julio

GooooooooooD
which bateries are you using now?

Lithiums, rechargeable Duracell 2650's or Sony Eneloops.