Vivitar 285HV confirmation

[Gipetto]

This is Okay on my 20D and its the non-HV version that's bad got too high a voltage connector, right?

My 285HV is circa 1994.

Thanks!

[SolidxSnake]

Check the volts with a meter. I know they range very high. I have a 283 and those are known to be anywhere from 60 to 300+ volts. Mine is at 103vDC, much lower than the 250v limit of the 20d. Thus I use it on my 20D, hotshoe and PC-Sync.

[Curtis N]

Trigger voltage measurements on old Vivitars are all over the map.

Test it. Every photographer should have a cheap voltage meter (http://flashzebra.com/digital_multimeter.shtml) anyway. Positive lead on bottom contact, negative on side contact (DC volts).

Your 20D can handle 250 volts.

[Zansho]

When in doubt, check your voltage. I'd get a Wein Safe-Sync to prevent it from overpowering your DSLR with high voltage.

[Gipetto]

Thanks for the replies.

Positive lead on bottom contact, negative on side contact (DC volts).

Bottom contact is obvious. The side contact I can't pin down - is it the port with the two pins or the PC cord port?

[Curtis N]

On one or both sides of the flash foot, right above the flange (the part that slips into the hotshoe), there is a metal contact in that slot. It makes contact with the edge of the hotshoe rail when you slide it in.

[Gipetto]

Ah, gotcha.

Thanks!

[FlashZebra]

If it is definately an "HV" version it will be fine.

The old version of the 285HV has a sync Voltage of about 12 Volts or so.

The new version (new within the last year) of the 285HV has a sync Voltage of about 5 Volts.

If it is the 285 (no HV designation) that could be anything from 6 to 500 Volts. Watch out!

Do not use a safe sync unless absolutely necessary. They have a set of problems themselves.

Only apply the safe sync solution if absolutely necessary.

The 40D is good to 250 Volts.

Enjoy! Lon