powerful, quick recycling time with ni-cad batteries

my brand new unit refused to fire after just 2 rolls of film. Local vivitar dealer repaired it.

I purchased my 285 HV brand new just this year. A powerful flash with quick recycling time. This model has been around for over 20years so it must be good. I've used it with my manual focus SLRs with excellent results. Just would like to know if this unit is safe to use with modern CANON EOS cameras. I was told that they might cause damage to modern AF cameras. Would welcome any comments. Please contact me at jrj@pacific.net.ph

Customer Service

OK

Similar Products Used:

Sunpak, Canon

Powerful enough for most
situations, variable power control, lots of accessories available (softboxes, bounces, colored gels, battery packs, etc.), zoom & bounce head. Very good value.

For the cost of it, none.

Gives very good results in manual mode, al long as you concentrate on what your doing. I've never used the auto mode. The manual power setting are full,1/2,1/4 & 1/16. There are a few times when I would have liked the option of a 1/8 setting. Flash output is generally 2/3-1 stop hotter (up close)than what the calculator dial says, this is corrected with a Lumiquest softbox attached.
Excellent flash especially for the cost, but get a battery pack for shooting weddings.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 380EX

Great power for the price. The 4 auto settings work fine to me.

I would like a better recycling time. I improve that with a battery pack that I made by myself.

I use the flash for weddings and it provide great portrait photos. The 4 auto settings are very accurate, but be carefull if you use the auto settings and set the f/stop manually with a zoom lens that have a variable f/stop, like 3.5~5.6.

Customer Service

Not needed at this time.

Similar Products Used:

Sunpak 544 Auto

4-Auto F stop selection
Variable power module & calculator dial make vari-power fill flash a snp( if you have the time)
For the price extremely powerful

The plastic foot is breakable, although I've never suffered that fate. Some of the nicer accessories can be hard to find.

Great flash. I love to use it with the off-camera cord that allows you to mount the sensor on the camera hot shoe and the flash itself on a bracket hight enough to avoid "red eye" completely. It also creates an almost TTL reading since the sensor is actually closer to the lens than if the flash was mounted directly on the camera. A great set up with my Konica Hexar AF when the HX-14 flash is too weak for what I want to do. I've also used these units with Rollei TLR's, Nikon F2's, Leica M6's, etc., etc. Just extremely reliable and flexible. Never had one fail me in the over 12 years I've been using them.

Customer Service

Never used. Just buy another one if it breaks.

Similar Products Used:

None. All others used are dedicated TTL units

Super powerful!
4 step manu output + 4 auto control.
Durable casing.

Big and heavy.
Eat batteries.
Manu zoom only.
Slow recover time after full output.

I got a used from ebay only US$55. I like the manu output control. I use it for a slave. It is powerful and durable. But happy to eat batteries. I using 1700mah NiMH. This can shorten recover time and serv longer time.

Customer Service

I don't know where they are!

Similar Products Used:

Canon 380EX
Canon 550EX
Hunter 280A

This flash is pretty easy to use if you don't have a dedicated flash. It is very versatile and can be used in a number of different situations, including long distances (60+ft.). The vari-power is handy, as is the wide to zoom ability.

Because it is all manual, all the time, you have to be careful, but you ought to know that. Otherwise, this flash is great.

This flash is great, but if I had a camera that could support one, I'd rather have a computerized dedicated flash.

Similar Products Used:

None

Extremely reliable, produces quality fill-flash at fraction of dedicated flashes.

None - has worked perfectly

At fraction of cost of Nikon/Canon et al dedicated flashes, Vivitar produces high quality and reliable lighting on or off camera

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 540EZ

Cheap, powerfull, and versatile

none 2 date

This flash is ideal for someone who doesnt want to spend the big bucks on a dedicated flash. The variable Thyrister allows you to stop down your power (full,1/2, 1/4, and 1/16 power) so you don't have to back up when using flash. Put 2 of these suckers with umbrellas and you have a perfect portable portrait lighting. The auto features work very well. I have had no misfires and when using auto the flash output is perfect.

Similar Products Used:

None

Powerfull!
zoom head

none

I think one of the best bounce flashes ever made.
Powerfull and tough. Lots of accessories.
A super flash

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Vivitar 283