Vivitar 285HV Flashgun

DigiChromeEd · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 3461 Location: Northern Ireland

I've been given a new Vivitar 285HV flashgun by a friend. Is this gun safe to use with a Canon EOS5DMKII and Sony NEX5T cameras?
I've heard some horror stories about circuits being fried when using some older flashguns.
This Vivitar spec sheet I found states that it is compatible with DSLR's.

http://www.vivitar.com/files_products/172/VIV-285-HV%20Spec%20Sheet.jpeg

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

The 285HV has a low voltage trigger, so that should be safe (ihave several and used it
with no issues on modern cameras). The 283 however is NOT.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

Yeah, I never have understood why Vivitar labeled the "safe" 285 the 285HV (for High Voltage, right?).

For your future reference, if you have a multimeter, just set it to DC voltage and, with the flash charged up, measure the voltage across the main contact and ground, which is usually found on the side of the flash's "foot." It shouldn't "pop" the flash when you do so. Well, not supposed to, at least.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

safe but.. 70 usd an yn 560 4 miles ahead before this old flash

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

Well, in all fairness, the 285HV can often be picked up used, on eBay and the like for much less than 70USD. However I tend to agree that modern flashes like the Yongnuo offer a better overall value for a modern camera than an old-school Vivitar 285HV. That being said, though, I used a 285HV for a lot of years on cameras that had automated flash capabilities -- I just never saw the need because that old flash did such a good job.