Ralph wrote:
>I was digging through the archives
>looking for information on the Vivitar
>285. Attached are a couple of messages
>that I found. I'm curious to see if
>there are any other opinions (positive
>or negative) and Ken, if you are still
>happy with the flash.
>
>I currently have a T32 which I like for
>TTL use, but I'm looking for a flash
>that will provide greater flexibility
>for fill-flash use.
The Vivitar 285 is probably the very finest non-slaved flash ever made. It
is basically a 283 with a zoom head. Both have two faults though: Big and
Heavy. It is unnerving to have them mounted on your prism and then try to
jostle around with it. I've never broken a mount and they are much more
rugged than you think, but still, psychologically, it can be nerve-wracking.
The sensor in the 285/283 is excellent and very accurate. Only on rare
occasion have I had it fooled by sunlight or some other lightsource.
Dialing in fill ratios doesn't get any easier and it has sufficient power to
burn retinas in daylight. I've used the 285 zoomed out and with 400 speed
film to light subjects 200 feet away. Try that with a pipsqueek flash.
Disadvantages of the 285/283: Big, Heavy, no advanced camera
communications--just flash sync, therefore no OTF.
Advantages: System flash with lots of accessories, powerful, flexible,
designed for pro use (lighted calculator dial, for example), fast recycle,
(will fire before full charge if necessary too), and extremely easy for fill
flash use. Oh, and the sensor can be removed from the flash and with an
extension cable be mounted on the camera while the flash is somewhere else.
Do I still like mine? Well, it got stolen, but I plan on picking up another
at some point.
Oh, and did I mention the easy to use fill-flash features? <g>
Ken N.
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