advice on accessory flash for OLYMPUS E300 -non olympus brand

[blacktieman]

Hello ,Im in need of help in choosing flash units to use with olympus E300 camera for wedding use.Budget is pretty tight and wonder if any wedding photograhers have used vivitar 283s or vivitar 285s either on a BRACKET or on camera.I at least for the moment cant afford olympus fl50 or fl36.Any advice or help with either flash or similar flashes and how to fire these would be greatly appreciated especially how to fire these off camera on bracket along with the internal flash on the E300 body.Have a wedding very soon and need help.Have been told that using these will hurt body.I plan on using a wein flash mount and hope voltage will not be a problem.Have also been told that using these wont be any problem and that these are great flashes and should not be any problem
using with digital slrs.Any advice will be great and have only small time to make decision.I am thinking of buying two so I will have a backup flash. Thanks for your time

[Mark McCall]

Yeah, I've used the 285's at weddings with our digital SLR's.

BUT BE CAREFUL....
Don't use the 285's or 283's without a SafeSync on your hotshoe.
The Wien SafeSync will arrest a surge larger than 6V coming from the flash into the camera body.
A buddy of mine blasted a 10D with a 285.

Thyristor based flashes are a perfect fit for wedding photography, but the 285 and 283 are old technology.
The newer "digital ready" flashes by Metz are more accurate, and don't require a Safe Sync.

Look into the Metz 54MZ flash.
Deadly accurate, thyristor based. I use them exclusively.

[blacktieman]

I purchased two slightly used sunpak 383 flashes today and shot quite a few pics.I looked at the 283s and 285 also.I really appreciate your reply on this issue.Should I still purchase a flash sync protector for this setup.I shot the flashes on camera while using the on camera flash turned down considerably and the pics were very nice.If you have any reason that the 383s were not a good idea please let me know.The 383s price was only 70.00 bucks for both.I am so grateful for your advice.Any other advice wood be appreciated.I bought these today before reading your reply so please dont be offended.I didnt think that I would get any help so made this decision.I THANK YOU BIG-TIME

[Mark McCall]

Yes, you'll need a Wein SafeSync with the Sunpak's.
It's about $50, but will save your camera in the event of a power surge.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

The flash power output will fry the electronics in your camera even on the low power setting.

Good luck!