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View Full Version : Vivitar 285HV vs DF400MZ

MDteX
13th of November 2008 (Thu), 08:08
I have been looking at the Vivitar flashes to add an extra to my strobist kit. I currently have 2 580EXII units.

I know most people talk about the 285HV. I too had an old Vivitar 287 way back when.

What are the main differences between the 285HV and the DF400MZ? I know the 285 is not dedicated while the other is. I don't need that. But the DF400 offers a better guide number, more range and better swivel for only $10 more.

Why do I not hear of anyone using the DF400? Is there something I'm missing?
DavidSR
13th of November 2008 (Thu), 08:42
You might want to read this...;)..and make sure you read the whole thing.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=356725
MDteX
13th of November 2008 (Thu), 09:17
Interesting. That is the total opposite of the reviews posted on B&H.
dano57
15th of November 2008 (Sat), 18:12
I have 2 285 HV I bought a couple months ago, they'll be the last ones I'll by! Inconsistent firing using CyberSync forced me to try to add a 3.5 mm mini plug as posted elsewhere. Same thing, then it quits and I wind up disassembling the foot to see if I can determine what is happening. After seeing how the foot area and proprietary sync plug is designed and built I can say it is crap. Wound up by-passing it all together and now it works but I don't have much faith in this POC.
DavidSR
17th of November 2008 (Mon), 08:06
I have 2 285 HV I bought a couple months ago, they'll be the last ones I'll by! Inconsistent firing using CyberSync forced me to try to add a 3.5 mm mini plug as posted elsewhere. Same thing, then it quits and I wind up disassembling the foot to see if I can determine what is happening. After seeing how the foot area and proprietary sync plug is designed and built I can say it is crap. Wound up by-passing it all together and now it works but I don't have much faith in this POC.

Is this the cord that you used to connect your Vivitar to the CyberSyncs.?

http://www.flashzebra.com/wizardcables/vivitar.shtml
dano57
21st of November 2008 (Fri), 15:22
Lon, yes it is. I don't think there is anything wrong with the cable, I think it is internal to the flash. I did add a mini-plug and got the same results. Finally in desperation I cut all the hot leads free of the shoe and connected them directly to the mini-plug and if fires reliably now but it seems that the variable output may not be working. I hope to play with it some this weekend.