Vivitar 285HV question

BigLoada

BigLoada

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I just got two of these flashguns brand new and although they both work fine, I cannot seem to alter the power.

I have the Thyristor dial on the front set to M for manual, but when I turn the white dial on the side of the flashgun to 1/16th or 1/4 power, it doesnt actually change, but seems to stay on full power. Am I doing something wrong or could they be faulty and stuck on full power?

Any advice appreciated as its driving me nuts!!
 
Silly question but how do you know the level of light isnt changing, do you have a photo taken with them.

The reason I ask is to the human eye you will see a flash, you wont see the difference between 1/16th and full power
 
BigLoada said:
I just got two of these flashguns brand new and although they both work fine, I cannot seem to alter the power.

I have the Thyristor dial on the front set to M for manual, but when I turn the white dial on the side of the flashgun to 1/16th or 1/4 power, it doesnt actually change, but seems to stay on full power. Am I doing something wrong or could they be faulty and stuck on full power?

Any advice appreciated as its driving me nuts!!
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The problem is that the white dial on the side is just a calculator, it has no connection to the output of the flashgun. The power is adjusted by turning the dial on the front - if you have it set at M then it's at FULL power, turn it further clockwise and you will see the reduced power settings :)
 
Flash In The Pan said:
The problem is that the white dial on the side is just a calculator, it has no connection to the output of the flashgun. The power is adjusted by turning the dial on the front - if you have it set at M then it's at FULL power, turn it further clockwise and you will see the reduced power settings :)
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Duh! I feel like a proper pratt now:bonk:

Thanks Flash, I spent 2 days fiddling with that dial and getting very irate! Just tried the dial on the front and it works fine. I actually didnt see that there was different power settings marked on the front dial. Sorted cheers:thumbs:
 
hey as an aside where did you get them from? I haven't seen anywhere english selling these and have never bought from abroad before
 
lol, don't feel silly, I have to confess, I did exactly the same thing despite reading the blooming instructions.

Turning the knob one way gives those colour guides and turing it the other gives power settings.

It's easy once you know how and the are great flashes, quite powerful for their size. (especially on full power!)
 
david1701 said:
hey as an aside where did you get them from? I haven't seen anywhere english selling these and have never bought from abroad before
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I got mine from Gadget Infinity in Hong Kong. But you have to pay import tax. Cost me 41 quid in tax when the man from UPS came with the parcel.

I spent ages trying to find a UK suppkier and had no luck.
 
dam i was worried you would say that well i can't afford one atm i shall just have to budget for tax
 
BigLoada said:
I got mine from Gadget Infinity in Hong Kong. But you have to pay import tax. Cost me 41 quid in tax when the man from UPS came with the parcel.

I spent ages trying to find a UK suppkier and had no luck.
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That makes your import duty about 40%.....doesn't sound right to me :shrug:

My last 285HV came over with no tax, went back with no tax and the replacement didn't get taxed either, unless you count the £12 shipping charges :shake:
 
Flash In The Pan said:
My last 285HV came over with no tax, went back with no tax and the replacement didn't get taxed either, unless you count the £12 shipping charges :shake:
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That's interesting to know.

I'm quite happy with my mongrel collection of Nikon/other lights, but I've been wanting to try using a 285HV. I really don't like ( = my wife really doesn't like) me spending money on things I don't need, but I'd like a Vivitar, 'just cos'.
 
EmZee said:
That's interesting to know.

I'm quite happy with my mongrel collection of Nikon/other lights, but I've been wanting to try using a 285HV. I really don't like ( = my wife really doesn't like) me spending money on things I don't need, but I'd like a Vivitar, 'just cos'.
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Just say NO, honestly don't do it :shake:
 
are the 285HV's compatibe with the PT-04 triggers ok?
 
BigLoada said:
Yes, I used my 285HV for ages last night triggering two guns from with the transmitter mounted on my D80 hotshoe using the Cactus PT04 triggers. Works great.
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Awsome, cheers pal. I currently have an SB26 and a cheap flash thats either full or 1/16th power. I'm after another 2 with some decent control scope and whilst I love my SB 26, the prices are so inflated I am considering any alternatives that have a decent reputation.
 
I've got two of the Vivitar's, I've used them with the PT-04's and now use them with PocketWizards. They are Fab! Big chunky units that are very easy to use (once you turn the power down) Can be used with a softbox. They don't quite fit through the bracket of an ezybox but put flush against it works a treat.
 
Are there not other flashes that are just as good available in the UK? I'm about to buy my first one, and the Nikon's look a lot of money to me... :(
 
How much have you got to spend on a flash?

I also maybe wrong but do GI not refund you for import tax or am i thinking of another company?

Will

Totally ignore the above comment it isnt GI that does!! Cant remember which company it is but im pretty sure there is one! i ordered a lens before and managed to claim the money back!!
 
Please can I ask a stupid question? (I guess I kind of just did! ha)

Anyway, are the Cactus PT04 triggers the same as the Cactus V2 triggers? If they are different, what is the difference?

THANKS :)

EDIT: Also, these look like great off camera flashes to have as they are manual, powerful and cheap. I have a 430EX which I literally bought yesterday, and I want this for when I am using on camera flash due to the swivel head, build quality and ETTL. However, I think a 285HV would be a great addition to give me a 2 off camera flash setup, what do you guys think? Will it all work together with the Cactus V2's? (I should probably start a new thread for this!)
 
The PT04 are not cactus.

The difference between the original cactus and the v2 is with the trigger voltage handling.

If you flick through this forum there are a few threads discussing the differences. Basically some have hotshoe only, some have PC connectors and then there are different voltage handling (allowing the use of older high voltage flashes).

If in doubt it is always worth checking the trigger voltage of the flash unit. I think the vivitar comes in several versions - some of which are high trigger voltage which can fry the camera or receiver.
 
Sorry, bit of confusion there. Mine are Cactus V2s whch handle the ower voltage but they also have PT04 stamped on the side. They were from Gadget Infinity though and they are Cactus V2S, they have hotshoes connection or sync cord.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I have a 430EX which I literally bought yesterday, and I want this for when I am using on camera flash due to the swivel head, build quality and ETTL. However, I think a 285HV would be a great addition to give me a 2 off camera flash setup, what do you guys think? Will it all work together with the Cactus V2's? (I should probably start a new thread for this!)
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The Vivitar will work with the Cactus triggers, the 430EX might cause problems as there appears to be an issue with using that particular combination.
 
Thanks for the answers. I am bidding on a Vivitar 285 (non HV). I assume this is ok as long as I don't use it ON my camera (don't plan to). Or will this fry my V2 receiver?
 
What is the trigger voltage on the Vivitar 285 then? I can't find it anywhere!

EDIT: Hmmm, too high it seems. Lets hope I get outbit.

I can't find any 285HV's for less that £65!!
 
ScarySquirrel said:
What is the trigger voltage on the Vivitar 285 then? I can't find it anywhere!

EDIT: Hmmm, too high it seems. Lets hope I get outbit.

I can't find any 285HV's for less that £65!!
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The trigger voltage for the 285 is in the hundreds, you need the older V2 version to work with it.

If you go for second hand HVs remember that not all are low voltage, the older, identical-looking ones are camera friers ;)
 
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