20D & Vivitar 285 Flash

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <08o0u01e3qos4qe4g0vpd6v9qqbkdrti0o@4ax.com>, teskor@tbaytel.net
says...
>
>Greetings,
> Going to do some flash work with my 20D. Still saving up to
>buy a 580EX Speedlight, so in the meantime I've dragged out my old
>trusty Vivitar 285.
> Has anybody had any experience using this flash with the 20D?
>Hints, tips?
>
>Thanks in adance.
>--
>Tom

I might contact Vivitar, The 283/265 flashes have a reputation for high votage
at the PC contacts, which is bad for some digitals, What has never been clear
with these reports is if this is using the 512volt battery adapter, the voltage
reported was so high this is suspected, the voltage was over 600 volts. I use a
same vintage Metz 45CT1 with my Nikon 995 a lot and I have never had problems.
I would think if you are using AA Alkaline on NIHM I wouldn't worry about it. I
wouldn't use an external battery.

Good luck
Tom

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

tom@nospam.microlightphoto.com (Tom Monego) writes:

> In article <08o0u01e3qos4qe4g0vpd6v9qqbkdrti0o@4ax.com>, teskor@tbaytel.net
> says...
> >
> >Greetings,
> > Going to do some flash work with my 20D. Still saving up to
> >buy a 580EX Speedlight, so in the meantime I've dragged out my old
> >trusty Vivitar 285.
> > Has anybody had any experience using this flash with the 20D?
> >Hints, tips?
> >
> >Thanks in adance.
> >--
> >Tom
>
> I might contact Vivitar, The 283/265 flashes have a reputation for high
> votage at the PC contacts, which is bad for some digitals, What has never
> been clear with these reports is if this is using the 512volt battery
> adapter, the voltage reported was so high this is suspected, the voltage was
> over 600 volts. I use a same vintage Metz 45CT1 with my Nikon 995 a lot and I
> have never had problems. I would think if you are using AA Alkaline on NIHM
> I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't use an external battery.

Note this is true of the older 283/285's, but Vivitar changed the design some
time ago, and the voltage is under 6 volts. If you buy the flash new, you
shouldn't have a problem.

--
Michael Meissner
email: mrmnews@the-meissners.org
http://www.the-meissners.org

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Michael Meissner wrote:
>
> tom@nospam.microlightphoto.com (Tom Monego) writes:
>
> > In article <08o0u01e3qos4qe4g0vpd6v9qqbkdrti0o@4ax.com>, teskor@tbaytel.net
> > says...
> > >
> > >Greetings,
> > > Going to do some flash work with my 20D. Still saving up to
> > >buy a 580EX Speedlight, so in the meantime I've dragged out my old
> > >trusty Vivitar 285.
> > > Has anybody had any experience using this flash with the 20D?
> > >Hints, tips?
> > >
> > >Thanks in adance.
> > >--
> > >Tom
> >
> > I might contact Vivitar, The 283/265 flashes have a reputation for high
> > votage at the PC contacts, which is bad for some digitals, What has never
> > been clear with these reports is if this is using the 512volt battery
> > adapter, the voltage reported was so high this is suspected, the voltage was
> > over 600 volts. I use a same vintage Metz 45CT1 with my Nikon 995 a lot and I
> > have never had problems. I would think if you are using AA Alkaline on NIHM
> > I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't use an external battery.
>
> Note this is true of the older 283/285's, but Vivitar changed the design some
> time ago, and the voltage is under 6 volts. If you buy the flash new, you
> shouldn't have a problem.
>
....he said he dragged out his old one ...

Colin

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 9 Jan 2005 01:07:22 -0000, "Canongirly" <me@me.com> wrote:

>I use 285's with my 300D's with no problems...but with this caveat.
>
>The flashgun has the remote sensor (RC-1?) cord attached. This is a cord
>that plugs into the sensor socket on the front of the flash (obviously after
>you take the sensor off..it's a push fit). The sensor is then pushed into
>the socket on the other end of the cord that sits in the hotshoe on the
>camera.
>
>Two reasons for this.
>
>1. The trigger voltage at the foot of the flash is much higher than on the
>remote cord. (fact, I have tested the voltage).
>2. The remote sensor arrangement gives more accurate control over the
>exposure when using the guns off camera anyway.
>
>The Canon Digitals are notorius for hideously underexposing with
>flash....studio light and even with the dedicated guns. I've had issues with
>550EX's, and other brand EOS dedicated units.
>
>It's my experience that even if you have a flash meter that tells you the
>exposure is "X", it's really 1-3 stops MORE than that. (OK my meter may be
>off a bit as well). I try whenever possible to shoot a test shot or two
>first and check the exposure via the histogram.
>
>
>For more info on vivitar guns and EOS cameras see...
>
>http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
>http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#vivitar
>http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index2.html#trigger
>
>M
>
>
>"Thomas & Erin Skoropad" <teskor@tbaytel.net> wrote in message
>news:08o0u01e3qos4qe4g0vpd6v9qqbkdrti0o@4ax.com...
>> Greetings,
>> Going to do some flash work with my 20D. Still saving up to
>> buy a 580EX Speedlight, so in the meantime I've dragged out my old
>> trusty Vivitar 285.
>> Has anybody had any experience using this flash with the 20D?
>> Hints, tips?
>>
>> Thanks in adance.
>> --
>> Tom

Thanks to all for the replies.

Checked my 285 today both at the shoe and with the RC-1 cord. Voltages
exactly the same @ 7.65v.
Also searched a little more and came up with this from a review
webiste

"Also, by using a semiconductor switch rather than a mechanical
contact, the flash trigger voltage limit has been raised from around
6v on the 10D (and most other consumer EOS bodies) to 250v (as found
on most of the EOS pro bodies)."

And from Canon's original 20D press release.

" New High Speed Shutter
The EOS 20D has a newly developed shutter with a top speed of 1/8000
sec., user-settable in 1/3 and 1/2 stop increments (in shutter speed
priority AE and manual modes) and a maximum flash synchronization
speed of 1/250 sec. First or second curtain flash sync is possible.
The shutter's APS-C configuration allows a reduction in the size of
the unit, smaller shutter blades with lower inertial mass, and shorter
travel distance. Stronger magnets are used for each shutter curtain,
permitting better control of the blades. A semiconductor switch
replaces the traditional sync contacts, ending scorching and
frictional wear while at the same time increasing the limit for
trigger circuit voltage to 250V. The result of these changes is a more
rugged and reliable shutter unit with substantially improved
performance."

I feel safe using the flash for the time being, and as a backup when I
finally scrounge up enough coin for the 580EX.

Once again thanks to all for the replies.
Tom

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Tom Monego" <tom@nospam.microlightphoto.com> wrote in message
news:crprfg127h6@enews2.newsguy.com...
> In article <08o0u01e3qos4qe4g0vpd6v9qqbkdrti0o@4ax.com>,
teskor@tbaytel.net
> says...
> >
> >Greetings,
> > Going to do some flash work with my 20D. Still saving up to
> >buy a 580EX Speedlight, so in the meantime I've dragged out my old
> >trusty Vivitar 285.
> > Has anybody had any experience using this flash with the 20D?
> >Hints, tips?
> >
> >Thanks in adance.
> >--
> >Tom
>
> I might contact Vivitar, The 283/265 flashes have a reputation for high
votage
> at the PC contacts, which is bad for some digitals, What has never been
clear
> with these reports is if this is using the 512volt battery adapter, the
voltage
> reported was so high this is suspected, the voltage was over 600 volts. I
use a
> same vintage Metz 45CT1 with my Nikon 995 a lot and I have never had
problems.
> I would think if you are using AA Alkaline on NIHM I wouldn't worry about
it. I
> wouldn't use an external battery.
>
> Good luck
> Tom
>

Not true at all (on not worrying if using AA batteries). My 283 using
alkaline AA
batteries develops 153 volts at the sync terminal...use a Wein Safe Sync
(zener diode
in flash shoe) to make any flash you wish to use with your Canon safe for
the DSLR
circuitry.

George