Vivitar 283 Users

[dennykyser]

I just received a 283 I purchased off ebay, I got it and it worked but recycle time was slow so replaced the battaries. Now I cant get it to work???? I do not have instructions can anyone give me any ideas why it wouldnt work.

Selling Ebay Memeber has all positive feedback so dont think it was a bad flash. Is there a trick to replacing the battaries that I dont know about?

[forrest64]

Are you sure you put the batteries in the right way?

[WestFalcon]

I've got a possible solution. Push the battery holder with your finger so it pushes harder on the contacts. If that works, try this. I've had to put in a folded piece of paper under the battery door to push the battery holder down harder to make better contact. I've had to do this with 285's and 283's but it works.

[dennykyser]

Yes battaries are in the right way, I did get it to work again, had to keep messing with the battaries. (turning them in the holder) I am guessing maybe the contacts need cleaned, anyone know of a good cleaner to clean the contacts.

[Bruce Hamilton]

...anyone know of a good cleaner to clean the contacts.
Pencil erasers work great, just blow out the battery compartment thoroughly.

[kfong]

The 283 has a trigger voltage > 5V which MAY cause damage to a 10D in the long run

Ken

[kb244]

The 283 has a trigger voltage > 5V which MAY cause damage to a 10D in the long run

Ken
What about the 300D, I've used my 283 on the Canon G3. and now on the 300D.

[kfong]

The 283 has a trigger voltage > 5V which MAY cause damage to a 10D in the long run

Ken
What about the 300D, I've used my 283 on the Canon G3. and now on the 300D.

Same deal, with the emphasis on "MAY".
With extremely high voltage stress, a circuit will fail instantly, but with moderately high voltage stress, a circuit will suffered a shortened MTBF.
I've measured my Vivitar 283 hot shoe and it showed a voltage of 7 to 8 voltage, I can't remember exactly. Canon specified a voltage of no more than 5V on their DSLR's. May be it's a sale gimmick, may be it's putting real stress on the trigger circuit, Canon will never tell you, but I'm not going to destructively test my camera to find out.

Ken

[DAMphyne]

I paid $430.00 American to find out how that works. My employer uses Her Novotrons plugged into the 10D all the time. I tried it with my D30 and it ended-up frying the circuit, and not on the first time out. I used it that way at least a dozen times, then zap!
I use a $50 voltage regulator Hot-Shoe adapter now. I hope that protects my 10D.
The Safe-Sync, made by Wein, I bought at B&H.
It wouldn't affect your flash anyway, just set it higher on the shoe.
Better to be safe I say(hind-sight is always so clear)
Good Luck

[kb244]

Well if you check out this site that list the voltages of most flash units

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

Turns out the 283 is questionable, both in how old the unit is, and where it is made. The old units ( post '87 )is an absolute no for older SLRs, as they can peak upto 600V, the newer units are "questionable".

Certainly good to know, cant afford another 300D, let alone repair it.