Post Your Favorite "Off Camera Hot Shoe Flash" Shots

Anyone using Vivatar 285's? I am going to trigger with Cybersyncs. Just tired of lugging around my Bees. Want to leave them in studio.

i only use 1 285 but it works good. the only thing i hate about hot shoe flashes is having to buy batteries. If you use cybersyncs you need to get a pc to mini phone adapter. the 285 has a weird input to pc and comes with its own cords(if you buy new) but as long as you have that pc to mini phone adapter you will be fine.

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8538626
Anyone using Vivatar 285's? I am going to trigger with Cybersyncs. Just tired of lugging around my Bees. Want to leave them in studio.

I have them, they are great for OCF. Mine are ancient, I've had em 20 years or so and recently replaced the feet with the metal replacement kits. Very straightforward and simple to use.

jcp2000 wrote in post #8538729
i only use 1 285 but it works good. the only thing i hate about hot shoe flashes is having to buy batteries. If you use cybersyncs you need to get a pc to mini phone adapter. the 285 has a weird input to pc and comes with its own cords(if you buy new) but as long as you have that pc to mini phone adapter you will be fine.

Thanks, dumb question... can you adjust using radio poppers? Just reading about them.

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8538748
Thanks, dumb question... can you adjust using radio poppers? Just reading about them.

I think the new radio poppers jr models will only adjust specific speedlights with digital controls. The 285s use a manual adjustment know on the front that doubles as the thryistor sensor.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8538767
I think the new radio poppers jr models will only adjust specific speedlights with digital controls. The 285s use a manual adjustment know on the front that doubles as the thryistor sensor.

Ah, so if I wanted to be able to control the out put like controlling the out put of my bees using the radio poppers what should I do? What portable flash units would work?

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8538856
Ah, so if I wanted to be able to control the out put like controlling the out put of my bees using the radio poppers what should I do? What portable flash units would work?

Keep in mind this is just what I read they would do, no personal experience involved. I think they will work with most models the canon ex flashes, and some nikon flashes as well. Which is great if you already have those flashes, but given they cost as much or more than bees, getting the flash to use the trigger is a bit backwards.

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …uestions-and-answers.html

Popper jrx answers here.

gonzogolf wrote in post #8538950
Keep in mind this is just what I read they would do, no personal experience involved. I think they will work with most models the canon ex flashes, and some nikon flashes as well. Which is great if you already have those flashes, but given they cost as much or more than bees, getting the flash to use the trigger is a bit backwards.

Ah, name brand flashes are crazy expensive. I have a couple. I use a 580 and my wife uses a 430. I am going to let her use my 580 and and the 430. I am wanting an off camera system that will not break the bank... Possibly getting the LumoPro LP120 Manual Flash instead of the Vivatar... Wondering what the recycle times are.

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8539020
Ah, name brand flashes are crazy expensive. I have a couple. I use a 580 and my wife uses a 430. I am going to let her use my 580 and and the 430. I am wanting an off camera system that will not break the bank... Possibly getting the LumoPro LP120 Manual Flash instead of the Vivatar... Wondering what the recycle times are.

The vivitars might might be a tad slow at full power, but they are inexpensive workhorses.

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8538748
Thanks, dumb question... can you adjust using radio poppers? Just reading about them.

i dont know about radio poppers but im thinking they wont work with the 285's as far as being able to control them. The 285 controls are mechanical and all need to be turned by hand not like name brand with digital read outs and with all those fancy settings aha. I could be wrong cause i never looked into this. Its not that bad walking to the unit and just changing it by hand is it? aha just a few steps a turn on the old dial and there you go


with the 285 on fresh batteries: full power- 7-10sec(not 100% sure havent used 1/1 in a long time), 1/2 power- 5-8sec, 1/4th power- 3-5sec, 1/16th power- 3-5sec.


this isnt accurate so dont hold me to these 100% aha this is what it feels like to me when i am shooting with my 285

jcp2000 wrote in post #8539093
i dont know about radio poppers but im thinking they wont work with the 285's as far as being able to control them. The 285 controls are mechanical and all need to be turned by hand not like name brand with digital read outs and with all those fancy settings aha. I could be wrong cause i never looked into this. Its not that bad walking to the unit and just changing it by hand is it? aha just a few steps a turn on the old dial and there you go


with the 285 on fresh batteries: full power- 7-10sec(not 100% sure havent used 1/1 in a long time), 1/2 power- 5-8sec, 1/4th power- 3-5sec, 1/16th power- 3-5sec.


this isnt accurate so dont hold me to these 100% aha this is what it feels like to me when i am shooting with my 285

Talked to the guy at Mid West Photo and he said the recycle times are pretty much the same for the Vivatar and the the Lumo. Just ordered 3 Vivatar and 3 cybersyncs. I already have cybersync in studio. Still less than a 580. Just need some cheap tripods.

Another dumb question... Do I need to buy an adapter to screw the viv's on tripods? Or do they come with a foot like the 580?

they have a foot but you still need a umbrella bracket/adapter with a cold/hot shoe on it so it could mount to the stand like this.

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #8539282
Talked to the guy at Mid West Photo and he said the recycle times are pretty much the same for the Vivatar and the the Lumo. Just ordered 3 Vivatar and 3 cybersyncs. I already have cybersync in studio. Still less than a 580. Just need some cheap tripods.

if you already ordered through midwest why didnt you get stands from them? i got a cheapy stand from them works good but really light so you need to add some weight to it so it wont fall over on windy days and on uneven ground.