Is safe to use a Vivitar 285HV with the 40D hotshoe?

[Aikita]

I'm getting a Vivitar 285HV tomorrow. Should I wait until my cactus set arrive or test the flash with my 40D using the hotshoe? What could happen?

[dpds68]

I am using it on My Rebel XT with no problem .

[dpds68]

Check the Voltage first there are some older Vivitars that have HIGH Voltage that can cause harm .

[Aikita]

Thanks, how am I supposed to check the voltage? What voltage should this 285HV have?

[Gatorboy]

The new 285HV is digital camera safe.

[FlashZebra]

If it definately has the HV designation, there are two versions. One recent version of about the last 1.5 years. They have a sync Voltage of about 4 Volts (or less). The older version of the 285HV that has a sync Voltage of about 12 Volts or so.

There are also older 285 (No HV designation) that can have wildly inconsistent sync Voltages of 6 to 500 Volts. Watch out for that one.

The 40D will accommodate up to 250 Volts on the sync circuit, so if it definately has that HV designation you will be fine.

Enjoy! Lon

[digadv]

Pacace found this link a couple of weeks ago while answering a similar question regarding the Vivitar 283 ...http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0703/tech-tips.html.

About 1/2 way down you will see that the 20D and 30D support sync voltages up to 250V and that the hotshoe and PC sync port specs are the same. Also, check your manual on the bottom of page 106 where it indicates a sync voltage of <250 volts. Have you measured you voltage? Chances are good that you will be OK, but you should check the voltage for yourself.

[Wilt]

Thanks, how am I supposed to check the voltage? What voltage should this 285HV have?

voltmeter, one lead to the PC center pin, the other to the metal collar around the central pin