Manual Flash

[Marshy27]

Hi

I was wondering if a vivitar 285hv is the best option for off camera flash ??

I can get it delivered for GPB 60

Regards

paul

 

[D TONG]

Hi

I was wondering if a vivitar 285hv is the best option for off camera
flash ??

I can get it delivered for GPB 60

Regards

paul

It is pretty good in in every aspect except that it does not swivel.

I would suggest AF280T instead . Likely you can get it the same rate at ebay. I use it together with an optical sensor. Of course more expensive flash like AF50, Sigma 530 or Metz 48/58 will do as well.

Sb took this image triggering my AF280T where the sensor has to be facing the front to be triggered



Daniel, Toronto
http://www.pbase.com/danieltong

 

[Marshy27]

Hi

I will take a look at that flash.

I have a mets af 48 already but wanted another cheaper manual flash to use with cactus v2s receivers.

Will the 280 work with them ??

paul

 

[jabroo]

A used Pentax AF-500FTZ is not a bad option either... I own one and couldn't be happier
--
J-A

• Photography records life

 

[D TONG]

Hi

I will take a look at that flash.

I have a mets af 48 already but wanted another cheaper manual flash
to use with cactus v2s receivers.

Will the 280 work with them ??

paul

It all depend on what you want to do? Both AF280 & 285 hv work of course. The point that I want to say is that the ability to swivel gives you a lot more convenience.

How are you going to trigger the flash? The image that I posted above came from a Nikon. As you can see there was a small optical sensor underneath the AF280T flash. The Nikon or any flash can fire and trigger the 280T flash. As you can see there is zero flash shadow because of the 280T hitting the background wall

Daniel, Toronto
http://www.pbase.com/danieltong

 

[Marshy27]

Hi

I will be using the cactus v2s wireless triggers to control both flashes

paul

 

[D TONG]

Hi

I will be using the cactus v2s wireless triggers to control both flashes

paul

I do not have that. There is no reason that it doesn't even though it is not listed here

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16766

Daniel, Toronto
http://www.pbase.com/danieltong

 

[ozbrit]

I use a Vivitar 550FD dedicated for MPO in program modes with good success, it has a tilt head but doesn't swivel, although a TTL flash its best to used in M mode with guesswork for distance, aperture etc. 60pounds sounds to me to be a lot of money for an old flash. The 550FD would have cost me a sixth of that including postage.

Good luck.

 

[Marshy27]

Hi

I didnt think ttl worked of camera on a pantax system ??

paul

 

[DSHarned]

I have the 285HV and and have been quite pleased. It has a lot of power and adjustments for the price. I just got a set of Cactus 2Vs triggers last weekend and found the 285HV to be unreliable when connected via the hot shoe. I got it to trigger a couple of times (I'm not sure how.), but most of the time it didn't work. It did work perfectly every time with the PC cord.

I also have a Vivitar 2500 (12v trigger) and it works perfectly from the hot shoe.
--
David
Dallas, TX

 

[D TONG]

I have the 285HV and and have been quite pleased. It has a lot of
power and adjustments for the price. I just got a set of Cactus 2Vs
triggers last weekend and found the 285HV to be unreliable when
connected via the hot shoe. I got it to trigger a couple of times
(I'm not sure how.), but most of the time it didn't work. It did
work perfectly every time with the PC cord.

I also have a Vivitar 2500 (12v trigger) and it works perfectly from
the hot shoe.
--
David
Dallas, TX

When you have on and off problem, replace with the best batt you can find (both camera+ flash). See if that is the issue ?
The power of your camera batt may trigger the hotshoe though

Daniel, Toronto
http://www.pbase.com/danieltong

 

[D TONG]

I have the 285HV and and have been quite pleased. It has a lot of
power and adjustments for the price. I just got a set of Cactus 2Vs
triggers last weekend and found the 285HV to be unreliable when
connected via the hot shoe. I got it to trigger a couple of times
(I'm not sure how.), but most of the time it didn't work. It did
work perfectly every time with the PC cord.

I also have a Vivitar 2500 (12v trigger) and it works perfectly from
the hot shoe.
--
David
Dallas, TX

David

Tell me what you have found out. My K100D had the same problem only triggering a pocket wizard (supposed to be universal as your Cactus 2Vs) . It could fire another flash through the hotshoe though.

Some people (mostly Nikon/Canon guys ) mentioned that it was the batt about to be depleted. Try it and let me know if this applies to all Pentax flash.

Daniel, Toronto
http://www.pbase.com/danieltong

 

[DSHarned]

I have the 285HV and and have been quite pleased. It has a lot of
power and adjustments for the price. I just got a set of Cactus 2Vs
triggers last weekend and found the 285HV to be unreliable when
connected via the hot shoe. I got it to trigger a couple of times
(I'm not sure how.), but most of the time it didn't work. It did
work perfectly every time with the PC cord.

I also have a Vivitar 2500 (12v trigger) and it works perfectly from
the hot shoe.
--
David
Dallas, TX

David

Tell me what you have found out. My K100D had the same problem only
triggering a pocket wizard (supposed to be universal as your Cactus
2Vs) . It could fire another flash through the hotshoe though.

Some people (mostly Nikon/Canon guys ) mentioned that it was the batt
about to be depleted. Try it and let me know if this applies to all
Pentax flash.

Daniel, Toronto

The problem only exists with the 285HV when operating through the hot shoe (on the 285HV). The K100D has no problem activating the transmitter. I think it is because of the low trigger voltage on the 285HV. I think it is only about 3 volts. However, it works great when connected to the 2Vs with the PC cord. I didn't have a single misfire. Also my Vivitar 2500 with a 12v trigger voltage works perfectly with never a misfire.

I read over at gadgetinfinity that the 2Vs had fixed a low voltage problem in the original cactus, but maybe not completely.

Anyway, I happy so far. I just have to use the PC cord on that flash.

--
David
Dallas, TX

 

[ozbrit]

Hi

I didnt think ttl worked of camera on a pantax system ??

paul

Hi Paul.

It doesn't, but will flash if set in the TTL position, to get full power of the flashits best in the flashes manual setting.

To anybody looking for a non P-TTL flash for the Pentax dSLR look for a flash with hotshoe pins arranged in an equilateral triangle pattern, if they have these then you should be able to use the flash not only in manual but in program 'A' & 'P' modes with the camera setting the shutter speed for you. I have a Vivitar 2500 but mine only has one central hotshoe contact so can't be used in program mode, only manual. Was there another 2500 dedicated to Pentax SLR cameras ever issued? I know there was a dedicated 2800 model.

 

[DSHarned]

I have a Vivitar 2500 but mine
only has one central hotshoe contact so can't be used in program
mode, only manual. Was there another 2500 dedicated to Pentax SLR
cameras ever issued? I know there was a dedicated 2800 model.

Have you been using your 2500 on your K100D? I was a concerned about the 12v trigger and couldn't get anyone to give me a definite answer on the maximum allowable so I got a Wein safesync and use it if I use the 2500 on camera. Since then I've gotten a 285HV and it is definitely safe to use on the camera. The 2500 is a nice size for travel, so I'm just curious what you know about the trigger voltage.

Thanks.

--
David
Dallas, TX