Vivitar 285

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I've just bought a Vivitar 285 and i can't seem to change the power of the flash, either it's stuck on full or I'm being a spanner :D

I've taken some test shots with the same settings (f5.6, 1/250s, ISO100) with the dial on the front set to M (i.e. 100%) and then taken the same photo with the front dial set on 1/16, but the image and histogram are showing exactly the same thing. So am I right in assuming the flash is not changing the power, or am i totally missing the point?

Anybody else had this problem?
 
Dab said:
I've just bought a Vivitar 285 and i can't seem to change the power of the flash, either it's stuck on full or I'm being a spanner :D

I've taken some test shots with the same settings (f5.6, 1/250s, ISO100) with the dial on the front set to M (i.e. 100%) and then taken the same photo with the front dial set on 1/16, but the image and histogram are showing exactly the same thing. So am I right in assuming the flash is not changing the power, or am i totally missing the point?

Anybody else had this problem?
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What are you, Metric or AF :lol: To be serious the normal setting is first set it to the ISO say it`s a 100 asa . Subject 10 feet away this tells you to use the purple setting. turn the front plug to the purple setting and away you go. Just one thing make sure the black arrow is on full.
 
The dial on the side is just an indicator/calculator. It doesn't alter the power.

The front dial adjusts the power from full down to 1/16 (I think) in fractional settings. It also has several coloured settings which are various powers of automation which are controlled by the sensor on the front.


Steve.
 
That's the automatic settings, I'm trying to use it in full manual to follow the strobist site. I'll try the automatic settings when i get home to see if they have any effect on the power, but I'm really only interested in the manual control. Thanks though!
 
well the big round dial at the front (not the disc on the side) controls the flash power.

So if at M and at 16 there's no difference, then there is probably something wrong.
 
Steve Smith said:
The dial on the side is just an indicator/calculator. It doesn't alter the power.
Click to expand...

Yeah i read that after about 2 hours of fiddling with it :D i wondered why nowt was happening.

Steve Smith said:
The front dial adjusts the power from full down to 1/16 (I think) in fractional settings. It also has several coloured settings which are various powers of automation which are controlled by the sensor on the front.


Steve.
Click to expand...

I've tried all the manual settings on the front (M, 1/2, 1/4 and 1/16) but they all seem to pump out the same power flash, which is why I'm thinking something isn't right. I'm using the flash off-camera with a set of RF-602's, is there any known problem with using these two together?
 
You should be able to see the very noticeable difference from M to 1/16 on a test fire, they even sound different.

Do you have access to a light meter?

Where abouts in Hampshire are you? I'm in Gosport / Fareham, so if you're nearby you can compare it to my 285.

I've also got a box of 285 spares, with at least one good VariPower module, if thats the problem. I've also got a load of spare battery trays and other stuff too.
 
david1701 said:
if it turns out dead dead I'll take it back, I never noticed any issues :S
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Cheers David, I thought i'd see if anyone had any ideas before i spoke to you again, I thought there might be a high chance i was just being a spanner. I'll check again tonight ang get back to you.
 
JasonRS said:
You should be able to see the very noticeable difference from M to 1/16 on a test fire, they even sound different.
Click to expand...

And the recharge time will be a lot quicker on 1/16 than on full.

The twisty thing on the front is a rotary switch which connects a resistance (or the sensor) to the internal circuitry. It is actually on a plug and socket (a bit like a DIN plug). Pull it out and push it back in a few times. It's possible that it's not connecting properly, has dirty contacts or isn't in all the way.


Steve.
 
Steve Smith said:
The dial on the side is just an indicator/calculator. It doesn't alter the power.

The front dial adjusts the power from full down to 1/16 (I think) in fractional settings. It also has several coloured settings which are various powers of automation which are controlled by the sensor on the front.


Steve.
Click to expand...
Nobody said it did
 
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