Question about vivitar's 285hv's

[mlipscomb]

Hello everyone.
I just bought a Rebel XSI and since I'm upgrading from a Sony Cybershot I couldn't be more thrilled at the fun I'm having with my new camera. My cybershot did give me lots of good shots, so I don't mean to diss it, just the Reble is such a wonderful step up I could never go back again.
I stumbled onto the topic of off shoe lighting on this site, and what I saw totally hooked me into the idea! I can hardly sleep because I'm constantly thinking about what great shots I'll be taking once I figure out how it all works (I hope I'll be taking great shots anyway!).
So I'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I just bought a 580ex II, but to be honest, I'll probably end up taking back to the store (I have until January 5th) simply because of the price tag. I've been looking into buying Vivitar 285HV's that were recomended on strobist, but the site clearly says:

"Important: Avoid the used 285HV's unless you know for sure how to decipher which ones have digital-camera-safe voltage synch levels."

So first of all, if I don't use the digital safe ones on the shoe of my camera I should be fine right? So either wirelessly or with a pc wire is fine, as long as it's not hooked into the shoe of my camera and I should be ok. Is this correct?
Also, does anyone know how to tell "for sure" which ones are digital camera safe?
Also are these flashes 100% manual? What I mean is that the 580ex II knows what my aperature is at and adjusts it's self automatically, will the 285's do this to. If they don't, how to I figure out how to set them?
Also, if I understand the whole thing right, I'll need to buy a transmiter that hooks onto the shoe of my camera, and one or more recivers that hook onto my flashes pc connectors....right?
Does anyone use a similar set up, if so are you happy with it, would you have done it some other way? Can you see any major problems with what I am proposing?
Are there any other flashes that might be more suitable for me and my Rebel xsi? is there any reason I might want to keep the 580 despite the high price tag?
Any help or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Crashoran]

The new 285HV is digital camera safe, I think it has a sync voltage limit of 4 or so. You can use it on the hotshoe if you want. It has automatic modes in addition to full manual controls - which makes it such a great cheap flash.

If you want to shoot wirelessly, then yes you will need a transmitter and receiver

This will tell you everything you need to know: http://www.popphoto.com/lighting/3983/vivitar-285hv-review.html

[Katzer1]

The old 285HV are known for being a workhorse that can works for decades.
However I read that the new made in China 285HV have a lot of issues, some batches recalled and very high rate of DOA's.
Some of the reports are about a year old, what is the current opinion of the re-relaunched 285HV's?

Erez

[DaveL]

I just received two new ones, no problems... They worked
immediately when I plugged them into the cyber syncs.

[msowsun]

According to Chuck Westfall at the "DigitalJournalist" the XTi and XT are safe with trigger voltages up to 250 volts.The list is old, but I am pretty sure your XSi would be safe too.

http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0703/tech-tips.html


Tech Tips
March 2007
by Chuck Westfall

It's likely you'll never see an official list of all Canon SLRs according to this specification, because Canon Inc. (our parent company in Japan) simply doesn't do things like that. I've been with Canon USA since 1982, so I'm in a pretty good position to know Canon Inc.'s habits. However, I'll be happy to provide you with my unofficial list:

Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds
EOS 30D, 20D, 5D
EOS Digital Rebel XTi, XT (400D/350D)
EOS D6000/D2000, Kodak DCS560/DCS520 (circa 1998)
EOS-DCS series (circa 1995)

Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 10D, D60, D30
EOS Digital Rebel (300D)

Canon 35mm SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1V, EOS-1N, EOS-1, EOS 3

Canon 35mm and IX240 SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 650, 620, 630, RT
EOS 850, 750, 700
EOS Rebel Series
EOS Elan Series
EOS 10s, A2E, A2
EOS IX, IX Lite
T90

[stevo8]

Keep the 580. If you have any interest in lighting off camera then you'll want it later down the road. Then get a cheap 285 for your slave. I just picked a older 285 up of CL for $40 :) and love it but wouldn't dare get rid of my 550ex.