Vivitar 285hv on XTi...?

[RaymondXTi]

Is it safe to use a Vivitar 285hv on the hotshoe of a Rebel XTi?

I just picked one up, and I ordered the Cactus V4 triggers, but it takes like 15 days to ship here so I was wondering if I could shoot with the 285hv on camera for a while to play around.

I tried searching and searching, I'm not a noob to the search button, haha, and I can't find any defininitive answers. I won't put it on my camera unless I get a for-sure answer. Don't want to fry anything.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: For people searching, I used it on the hotshoe today and it works fine! Nothing fried, lol.

[RaymondXTi]

Hmm, might have answered the question myself. I like the "similar threads" feature on the bottom... heh

The XTi will tolerate up to 250 Volts on the sync circuit.



The older version of the 285HV has a sync Voltage of about 12 Volts.



The newest version of the 285HV has a sync Voltage of about 4 Volts.



The older 285 (no HV designation) can have a sync Voltage from 6 to 500 Volts.



So, if you have a XTi and a 285HV you are fine.



Enjoy! Lon


Is this correct?

[vadim_c]

Where did you 'picked it up' ?
If new from a store you should be safe. If used check or ask some one to check for you the voltage on the hotshoe or PC contacts. If it 5V version it is safe. If 250 you'd better refrain from mounting it on the camera directly.

[MT Stringer]

Did y ou read through the EOS Flash thread posted by PacAce in the sticky section? There is a link in there to some research that was done on older flashes concerning trigger voltage. You might want to measure the voltage on the flash before you stick it on your camera. Better safe than sorry.

Mike

[NMGolfHacker]

As you found. The HV version is safe for use on the XTi. I have (2) 285HV's that I use on my XTi all the time.

[RaymondXTi]

I bought it used, found it on Craigslist locally. It's definitley the 285hv, it might as well be brand new though, it looks like it's never been used. Is there any way to tell if it's the newer version or the older one? And does it even matter? 12 volts or 4 volts, either should be fine if the XTi can tolerate up to 250 volts, right?

[NMGolfHacker]

Ramond - you are correct.

[Tigerkn]

Would it be fine for the 40D as well?

[GenuineRolla]

It'll be fine for all Canon digital SLR's.

[georgebowman]

Raymond, I have a 285HV and 283 as backups to my 580EXiis. I decided not to chance it and invested in a Wein Hotshoe Safe Sync. It works fine with my 285HV on my 50D and XTi, and it's a cheap investment.

[RaymondXTi]

Eh, I followed the information I found and threw it on the hotshoe today. It works perfectly fine. Took 20+ test shots and haven't heard any strange noises, seen any sparks, or had anything go up in flames. I think I'll be fine.

Thanks guys!

[vadim_c]

Raymond, I have a 285HV and 283 as backups to my 580EXiis. I decided not to chance it and invested in a Wein Hotshoe Safe Sync. It works fine with my 285HV on my 50D and XTi, and it's a cheap investment.
It is your own money but as for the advice I certainly would refrain from 'investing' into somehing that is absolutely redundant.