The Vivitar 285 flash is a classic workhorse. Some pros and serious
amateurs use 'em in pairs and triplets for makeshift studio flash. The
plastic shoe can be replaced with a Wein metal shoe - that's how well used
and respected the 285 is. But a dime a dozen, so to speak. You can always
easily find another in great working shape, or buy new.
The Zuiko 75-150/4, OTOH, hasn't been made for several years. If you find
one in great working condition, well...
I love the size and feel of the 75-150/4 (all reportedly were single coated,
BTW), and don't need more focal length if it means more size and weight. In
contrast and resolution mine compares very favorably with the Zuiko 50/1.8
SC. Images are crisp and free of flare in tricky lighting situations.
It also produces great close ups at a comfortable working distance when a
quality diopter lens is added to the front.
One caution: there have been a *few* reports of element separation in the
75-150/4. Look closely for a mottling, probably multicolored, that would
indicate the cemented elements have decided to go their separate ways.
Holding the lens up to a diffused fluorescent light seems to work best -
check from both ends. If you don't see any problems, I'd go for it. I
figure if it hasn't developed problems by now, it probably won't.
Anyway, tho' I've never had this problem with my used flash purchases, a
used flash *could* poop out on you at any time since the tube has a finite
number of pops in it. And unlike lenses, there's no way to examine it to
determine how much useful life remains.
-----------
Lex Jenkins
-------------------------------------------------------------
Visit "Vistas Tejas" at http://www.photoscene.com/lexjenkins/
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From: "Chris O'Neill" <coneill@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [OM] Vivitar 285 flash for Oly 75-150mm lens... is it a good
trade?
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 22:10:35 -0600
The OM-2 I just bought also came with a Vivitar 285 flash that's in pretty
good shape but doesn't have a cable, any of the add-on lenses, or
instructions. 'Nuther words, just the flash and battery holder.
While I was in my local used camera store, Used Camera Man tried to
sell me a Zuiko multi-coated (didn't say "MC" but sure looked multi-coated
when I looked at the front elements) 75-150mm two-touch zoom that's in
pretty darned good shape (maybe E+ or thereabouts?). I'd really rather
get a mult-coated 100-200 (which he didn't have in stock), but when I
asked him what the Vivitar 285 might be worth he replied, "About the
same as this-here 75-150 lens!"
Uhhh.... I don't know anything about Vivitar flashes, so would someone
in the know tell me whether or not that's a reasonable swap???
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