Different between Vivitar 283 and 285HV

[GerVaj08]

I'm just wondering what's the different... I had done a couple of research but still don't get it. I would like some information before I buy it. Would be a great help from you guys.

I'm going to use it with umbrella only.


Thanks,
Ger Vang

[watt100]

I'm just wondering what's the different... I had done a couple of research but still don't get it. I would like some information before I buy it. Would be a great help from you guys.

I'm going to use it with umbrella only.


Thanks,
Ger Vang

not sure of the difference but I had trouble getting an old 285hv to work correctly on my XSi, for a manual (nonETTL) flash you might want to consider the cheap "YN460"

[FlashZebra]

I'm just wondering what's the different... I had done a couple of research but still don't get it. I would like some information before I buy it. Would be a great help from you guys.

I'm going to use it with umbrella only.


Thanks,
Ger Vang
The 285HV has a zoom head, and adjustable manual power levels (full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 - no 1/8 power).

The 283 does not have these features.

There are other minor differences.

Enjoy! Lon

[snakekid]

I have both the vivitar 285hv and the 283.
Most noticeable difference is:
The 283 only has manual at full power, the rest is controlled by their "auto thyristor"
I got around this by buying the vivitar vari power adapter for full analog manual control. I have also done a *mod* where i tore apart the auto thyristor and adapted a 100k pot to give limited analog control ( i believe it was up to 75% of max power or something to that effect).
the 285hv has 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/16 ( i wish they had a 1/8. but i have my adjustable 283s now)

Less noticeable difference but equally important:
My sync voltages for the 285hv: 6v Safe for camera
Sync voltage for 283: 120v risky (shoe is rated for 250v)
Well who uses the vivitar flashes on camera anyways right?

Kind of annoying difference:
The head on the 283 doesnt zoom hasnt really bugged me to date.

Overall:
Considering the price difference( i got my 285hvs for ~90 each, 283s for ~40( that is including the nice little vari power adaptor) I like the 283s alot better they are cheaper and give me more control. I always choose my 283s over my 285hv when i need a flash to use.

I hope this post has shed some light on the differences.

Also if your looking to plug the into the wall and abuse the crap out of them the sb-4 adaptor does work on all my flashes. It just doesn't provide a huge bonus to recycle time, but there is a clear difference when your batteries are about to die! don;t listen to all the people and their "my sb-4 doesnt work" flame war.

Furthermore, lately i have been using my wireless ettl canon IR system which i really like for using on people that have no patience.

[GerVaj08]

I have both the vivitar 285hv and the 283.
Most noticeable difference is:
The 283 only has manual at full power, the rest is controlled by their "auto thyristor"
I got around this by buying the vivitar vari power adapter for full analog manual control. I have also done a *mod* where i tore apart the auto thyristor and adapted a 100k pot to give limited analog control ( i believe it was up to 75% of max power or something to that effect).
the 285hv has 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/16 ( i wish they had a 1/8. but i have my adjustable 283s now)

Less noticeable difference but equally important:
My sync voltages for the 285hv: 6v Safe for camera
Sync voltage for 283: 120v risky (shoe is rated for 250v)
Well who uses the vivitar flashes on camera anyways right?

Kind of annoying difference:
The head on the 283 doesnt zoom hasnt really bugged me to date.

Overall:
Considering the price difference( i got my 285hvs for ~90 each, 283s for ~40( that is including the nice little vari power adaptor) I like the 283s alot better they are cheaper and give me more control. I always choose my 283s over my 285hv when i need a flash to use.

I hope this post has shed some light on the differences.

Also if your looking to plug the into the wall and abuse the crap out of them the sb-4 adaptor does work on all my flashes. It just doesn't provide a huge bonus to recycle time, but there is a clear difference when your batteries are about to die! don;t listen to all the people and their "my sb-4 doesnt work" flame war.

Furthermore, lately i have been using my wireless ettl canon IR system which i really like for using on people that have no patience.

Very nice! Thanks for the different explanation!
Is there a link to tell you how to mod the lights?

[k4show]

If you get a VP-1 for the 283 you get full power all teh way down to 1/64 power adjustable, inlcuding 1/8 unlike the 285's.

[snakekid]

You probably wont be able to find the VP-1 anymore if you do buy it its great i have them.
But heres the link to making your own vp-1
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157603735912632/
If you get a VP-1 for the 283 you get full power all teh way down to 1/64 power adjustable, inlcuding 1/8 unlike the 285's.

[Liazon]

I have both the vivitar 285hv and the 283.
Most noticeable difference is:
The 283 only has manual at full power, the rest is controlled by their "auto thyristor"
I got around this by buying the vivitar vari power adapter for full analog manual control. I have also done a *mod* where i tore apart the auto thyristor and adapted a 100k pot to give limited analog control ( i believe it was up to 75% of max power or something to that effect).
the 285hv has 1/1 1/2 1/4 1/16 ( i wish they had a 1/8. but i have my adjustable 283s now)

Less noticeable difference but equally important:
My sync voltages for the 285hv: 6v Safe for camera
Sync voltage for 283: 120v risky (shoe is rated for 250v)
Well who uses the vivitar flashes on camera anyways right?

Kind of annoying difference:
The head on the 283 doesnt zoom hasnt really bugged me to date.

Overall:
Considering the price difference( i got my 285hvs for ~90 each, 283s for ~40( that is including the nice little vari power adaptor) I like the 283s alot better they are cheaper and give me more control. I always choose my 283s over my 285hv when i need a flash to use.

I hope this post has shed some light on the differences.

Also if your looking to plug the into the wall and abuse the crap out of them the sb-4 adaptor does work on all my flashes. It just doesn't provide a huge bonus to recycle time, but there is a clear difference when your batteries are about to die! don;t listen to all the people and their "my sb-4 doesnt work" flame war.

Furthermore, lately i have been using my wireless ettl canon IR system which i really like for using on people that have no patience.

I agree with all of this. So far allot of strobist on budget loves the 285hv since it has soo much budget flexibility and serve as reliable work horses.

[snakekid]

Im thinking about selling my vivitar flashes. if you intrested Ill probably have a post up on the FS section.
Im thinking 2 285hvs, 2 283s with 2 vp-1s on the 283s, remote trigger(antenna modded by me works within a block), 2 wall power adaptors.
for 450 paypaled & shipped.

[canondslr]

sorry to hijack, but if I can ask this question, that'll be great.
if I use 283 off camera, on the light stand, and put the setting on one of those "color", what would happen ?
thx a lot