What are they like? The B&H "reviews" show quite a few problems showing up early with these new Chinese-made models. Are they that bad, or is it just a case of the squeaky wheel... ?
Rudi Goldmember  3,751 posts Likes: 1 Joined Mar 2002 Location: Australia More info | May 22, 2008 12:28 | #1 What are they like? The B&H "reviews" show quite a few problems showing up early with these new Chinese-made models. Are they that bad, or is it just a case of the squeaky wheel... ? • Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
LOG IN TO REPLY |
nadtz Goldmember  1,483 posts Likes: 1 Joined Dec 2005 More info | May 22, 2008 12:50 | #2 Since the 285's were reissued there have been many more complaints, ymmv. I have a some old 283's that are chugging away, but I dont think Id buy new 285's considering other available options.
LOG IN TO REPLY |
AGENT5150 Member  124 posts Joined May 2008 More info | May 22, 2008 13:52 | #3 Have 2 old 285hv and 1 new 285hv no complaints yet. Canon 20D Gripped Sigma 18-50mm Sigma 70-300 Three Yongnuo YN560 Cactus V5
LOG IN TO REPLY |
May 22, 2008 17:36 | #4 nadtz wrote in post #5575588  Since the 285's were reissued there have been many more complaints, ymmv. I have a some old 283's that are chugging away, but I dont think Id buy new 285's considering other available options. I got a couple of the new Sunpak 383s recently, and the only reason I did that was because I was worried about the new Vivitar 285HV's reliability. • Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
LOG IN TO REPLY |
jbergdoll Goldmember  1,176 posts Joined Apr 2008 Location: Tempe, AZ More info |  Permanent banMy 285 is running fine... -Joseph
LOG IN TO REPLY |
nadtz Goldmember 1,483 posts Likes: 1 Joined Dec 2005 More info | May 22, 2008 18:30 | #6 I know of quite a few people who have had DOA flashes or have them stop working very soon after getting them. vivitar's US support also seems to be clueless...
LOG IN TO REPLY |
jgettis Member 112 posts Joined Jan 2008 More info | May 22, 2008 20:03 | #7 I bought a new 285 last summer. Towards the end of the year it stopped working would only fire once out of about ten times. I looked up the Vivitar support on the web and found out that Vivitar is a Syntax-Brillian company and is based out of Southern California in the City of Industry near where I live. Took the unit into them and after showing them the purchase date they exchange the unit. While we were leaving parking lot I was checking out the new flash only to discover that while it seemed to be working the ready light was not working correctly took that unit back in and exchanged it again. If I was to buy one today I would want to see it before I left the store and check it out. John
LOG IN TO REPLY |
farrukh Goldmember  1,969 posts Joined Jul 2005 Location: Lahore, Pakistan More info | May 22, 2008 22:59 | #8 Sunpak 383 is better option 5D Mark II + 40D | Lenses: Sigma 150-500mm BigmOS / Canon 24-105mm F4L IS / Canon 70-200 F4L IS / Canon 85mm 1.8 / Sigma Macro 70mm f/2.8 EX / Sigma 10-20mm EX / Canon 50mm f/1.8 II / Sigma 1.4x APO TC / Kenko 2x PRO300 DG. Lighting: Canon 580EX II + Metz 58 AF-1 + Sunpak 383...
LOG IN TO REPLY |
tim Light Bringer  51,010 posts Likes: 375 Joined Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand More info | May 22, 2008 23:39 | #9 farrukh wrote in post #5579173 Sunpak 383 is better option How so? Professional wedding photographer, solution architect and general technical guy with multiple Amazon Web Services certifications.
LOG IN TO REPLY |
May 22, 2008 23:41 | #10 tim wrote in post #5579380 How so? Well... seems to me that they are a hell of a lot more reliable! • Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
LOG IN TO REPLY |
farrukh Goldmember 1,969 posts Joined Jul 2005 Location: Lahore, Pakistan More info | May 23, 2008 02:23 | #11 tim wrote in post #5579380 How so? AFAIK, Zero complaints. 5D Mark II + 40D | Lenses: Sigma 150-500mm BigmOS / Canon 24-105mm F4L IS / Canon 70-200 F4L IS / Canon 85mm 1.8 / Sigma Macro 70mm f/2.8 EX / Sigma 10-20mm EX / Canon 50mm f/1.8 II / Sigma 1.4x APO TC / Kenko 2x PRO300 DG. Lighting: Canon 580EX II + Metz 58 AF-1 + Sunpak 383...
LOG IN TO REPLY |
tim Light Bringer 51,010 posts Likes: 375 Joined Nov 2004 Location: Wellington, New Zealand More info | May 23, 2008 07:44 | #12 You've used both then? Professional wedding photographer, solution architect and general technical guy with multiple Amazon Web Services certifications.
LOG IN TO REPLY |
May 23, 2008 07:48 | #13 I haven't used the NEW Vivitars, only because I was worried about buying them, especially after reading all the negative reviews (and there are plenty of those). I have used them in the old days, and loved 'em. • Wedding Photographer - Sydney and Wollongong
LOG IN TO REPLY |
 | x 1600 |
| y 1600 |
| Log in Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!
|
| ||
| Latest registered member is ANebinger 1065 guests, 161 members online Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018 | |||
