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I have a Canon 50D with a Canon 580EX Speedlite Flashgun. I also have 2 Vivitar 283 flashguns from 'the old days'.

Is it possible to fire the 2 Vivitars (off camera) using slave units for each, whilst using the Canon 580 flash on camera?

Also, is it safe to use the Vivitar 283 flash on the hotshoe of the Canon 50D?

And finally, can anyone offer any advice regarding a reasonably priced wireless flash trigger for the Canon 50D apart from Canons own brand?

Many thanks.
 
The problem with your old Vivitars is the trigger voltage, which can apparently be up to 600 volts - anything over 12 volts will kill any of the wireless flash triggers on the market and I'd imagine would do likewise to your camera if used on the hotshoe.

You can buy a device, the Wein Safe Sync, which would allow you to use your old flashes on your camera or triggers, but at around £50 each you'd be as well buying a couple of cheap new flashes instead....
 
Usually the trigger voltage thing is an exagerated problem, though there are are a couple of dodgy ones, including that Vivitar - see second link.

Chuck Westfall is Mr Canon. Here is a quote from him re trigger voltages, taken from his (sadly) now defunct Tech Tips column. It's in answer to a question here, in 2007
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0703/tech-tips.html

"I was wondering where I might be able to find published data on the safe sync voltages for the entire range of Canon cameras (or maybe just the 30D, as that's the body I'm using now).

It's likely you'll never see an official list of all Canon SLRs according to this specification, because Canon Inc. (our parent company in Japan) simply doesn't do things like that. I've been with Canon USA since 1982, so I'm in a pretty good position to know Canon Inc.'s habits. However, I'll be happy to provide you with my unofficial list:

Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D, EOS-1Ds
EOS 30D, 20D, 5D
EOS Digital Rebel XTi, XT (400D/350D)
EOS D6000/D2000, Kodak DCS560/DCS520 (circa 1998)
EOS-DCS series (circa 1995)

Canon Digital SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 10D, D60, D30
EOS Digital Rebel (300D)

Canon 35mm SLRs safe for TCV up to 250 volts:
EOS-1V, EOS-1N, EOS-1, EOS 3

Canon 35mm and IX240 SLRs safe for TCV up to 6 volts:
EOS 650, 620, 630, RT
EOS 850, 750, 700
EOS Rebel Series
EOS Elan Series
EOS 10s, A2E, A2
EOS IX, IX Lite
T90

Canon SLRs released earlier than the T90 did not have TTL flash circuits, and comprehensive information on safe TCV levels is not available.

The trigger circuit voltage (TCV) rating for any EOS SLR is the same on the hot shoe as it is on the PC terminal (if the camera has one), but the acceptable TCV level varies according to the camera model. Incidentally, the main reason for the difference is the way the X-sync signal is generated. With the 250V cameras, the X-sync signal is generated electronically. With the 6V cameras, the X-sync signal is generated mechanically. There are no guarantees, but going forward I anticipate that most if not all future EOS SLRs will be safe for TCV up to 250 volts."

Most flash guns don't even get near double figure triggering voltages, so no problem with recent Canon DSLRs. Nikon are the same I think. Here's a list detailing most gun outputs.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
 
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