Vivitar Thyristor 285

Hey all

My father just gave me his old Vivitar thyristor 285 speedlight. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it safe to use on a 30D? I'm pretty sure it's not TTL, but i feel like i could save money from buying a 430EX or 580EX...

any thoughts?

Thanks!

AFAIK, the 285's trigger voltage can be too high for the 30D. Some of those old flashes, when measured, show voltages over 300V! I'd check it with a multimeter before using it in your 30D's hot shoe. If you want to use it off-camera, through your camera's PC sync, check your Owner's Manual (not sure of the 30D tolerates higher voltages, most of the new Canons do tolerate up to 250V through the PC sync though).

Just to show how inconsistent the older Vivitar flashes can be, I just tested my 283 and 285.

The 285 is one I have owned since the early 1980s.
The serial number is 4095387 and it was made in Japan.
It has always operated without problem and never been sent in for repair.
The mean trigger voltage measured 7.1 VDC.
The highest recorded (of three measurements) was 7.3 VDC

The 283 I have also owned since the early 1980s.
The serial number is 1874358 and it was made in Japan.
It has always operated without problem and never been sent in for repair.
The mean trigger voltage measured 261 VDC.
The highest recorded (of three measurements) was 263 VDC

Don't take my measurements as representative of all 283s or 285s; that is my point and the reason for this post; they vary widely.

I am no stranger to taking voltage measurements, it's something I do regularly in my work many times a week, and my DMM while not lab quality is not $20 junk meter.

Test the trigger voltage before mounting it on your camera. It needs to be under 250v.

Yes, as other people have said if you attach a flash with a high trigger voltage you could kill your camera - be careful.

That only goes for triggering from the hotshoe though - if you trigger with pocket wizards, ebay triggers or a PC cord it would be fine.

As you said, you'll get no TTL, but that may not be a disadvantage depending on intended use.

By the way, google "Strobist", "lighting 101" and "lighting 102" for good info on using manual flashes off camera.

Paul

PaulBradley wrote in post #5597621
That only goes for triggering from the hotshoe though - if you trigger with pocket wizards, ebay triggers or a PC cord it would be fine.

PC cord has the same limitation as the the hot shoe in most cases which as Curtis indicated should be 250V for the 30D; unofficially. Officially I think Canon only wants you to use Canon flashes .

e-k

Hah thanks for all the great info everyone! There is probably a collective millenium or more of photography experience/information here. LOVE IT!