How to use a Vivitar 285 on K10D

prosbach · 12-07-2007, 03:32 PM

I have an old venerable Vivitar 285 flash, It has been modified such that is does not have any contacts on the base. I used it on a grip/bracket with a cord pluged into the side of my old minolta cameras. How can I use this bracket/flash combo with my K10?
What type/brand of gizmo do I need?
Anybody got ideas for this. ??

I saw something on B&H web site called a Wein combination Slave and Foot for 285 Flashes, but how would the flash get triggered ?

anomaly · 12-07-2007, 03:51 PM

The K10D doesn't have a sync port, so you will need a hot shoe pc sync adapter.

FotoPete · 12-07-2007, 05:02 PM

Get a Vivitar SC-3 Vari Sensor Adaptor. Its a sync cord for the 285. Its a hot sync to Vivitar 6-pin.

Pull out the "Vari Power" knob and you'll understand. The cord will attach there in place of the vari power knob.

Clem Nichols · 12-08-2007, 07:54 AM

Before you wire your old, venerable 285 directly to your K10D by whichever means I suggest you check the trigger voltage of the flash. It's my understanding that at least some of the older 285's have a high voltage which can damage your camera if wired to it. If this is the case with your flash, it will be necessary to fire it wirelessly using either an optical or a radio slave trigger. If it is a high voltage unit then the Wein peanut digital optical slave trigger may work, and it can plug directly into the base of your flash obviating the need to purchase any other adapters or cords. (I could never get the Wein peanut to work with my new 285HV which has a trigger voltage of 4.5 volts, however.) Yours FWIW

CN

szk71 · 12-09-2007, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by FotoPete

Get a Vivitar SC-3 Vari Sensor Adaptor. Its a sync cord for the 285. Its a hot sync to Vivitar 6-pin.

Pull out the "Vari Power" knob and you'll understand. The cord will attach there in place of the vari power knob.

I've got this type of sensor adapter for a vivitar 283 flash. Anybody have an idea if it's the same one required on the 285? I was actually wondering what it's for - so thanks for that.

An I correct in presuming that the sensor adapter would allow it to be used on canon, nikon, pentax, etc

prosbach · 12-24-2007, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by Clem Nichols

Before you wire your old, venerable 285 directly to your K10D by whichever means I suggest you check the trigger voltage of the flash. It's my understanding that at least some of the older 285's have a high voltage which can damage your camera if wired to it. If this is the case with your flash, it will be necessary to fire it wirelessly using either an optical or a radio slave trigger. If it is a high voltage unit then the Wein peanut digital optical slave trigger may work, and it can plug directly into the base of your flash obviating the need to purchase any other adapters or cords. (I could never get the Wein peanut to work with my new 285HV which has a trigger voltage of 4.5 volts, however.) Yours FWIW

CN

Thank you. Prosbach

lesmore49 · 12-26-2007, 07:49 AM

I have an old Vivitar 285 HV and while it is a wonderful flash, I will not use it on my K10D as I'm concerned that the high voltage (that's what the HV nomenclature) stands for. would fry my K10D's inner workings.

I use the pop up flash and will eventually get a Pentax 360 or 540. Why take a chance that it might or might not be OK? Not worth it to me.

12-07-2007, 03:32 PM	#1
prosbach New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2	How to use a Vivitar 285 on K10D I have an old venerable Vivitar 285 flash, It has been modified such that is does not have any contacts on the base. I used it on a grip/bracket with a cord pluged into the side of my old minolta cameras. How can I use this bracket/flash combo with my K10? What type/brand of gizmo do I need? Anybody got ideas for this. ?? I saw something on B&H web site called a Wein combination Slave and Foot for 285 Flashes, but how would the flash get triggered ?

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12-07-2007, 03:51 PM	#2
anomaly Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Barbados Photos: Gallery Posts: 264	The K10D doesn't have a sync port, so you will need a hot shoe pc sync adapter.

12-07-2007, 05:02 PM	#3
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Get a Vivitar SC-3 Vari Sensor Adaptor. Its a sync cord for the 285. Its a hot sync to Vivitar 6-pin. Pull out the "Vari Power" knob and you'll understand. The cord will attach there in place of the vari power knob.

12-08-2007, 07:54 AM	#4
Clem Nichols Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Munfordville, Ky. Photos: Gallery Posts: 370	Before you wire your old, venerable 285 directly to your K10D by whichever means I suggest you check the trigger voltage of the flash. It's my understanding that at least some of the older 285's have a high voltage which can damage your camera if wired to it. If this is the case with your flash, it will be necessary to fire it wirelessly using either an optical or a radio slave trigger. If it is a high voltage unit then the Wein peanut digital optical slave trigger may work, and it can plug directly into the base of your flash obviating the need to purchase any other adapters or cords. (I could never get the Wein peanut to work with my new 285HV which has a trigger voltage of 4.5 volts, however.) Yours FWIW CN

12-09-2007, 01:54 PM	#5
szk71 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 46	Originally posted by FotoPete Get a Vivitar SC-3 Vari Sensor Adaptor. Its a sync cord for the 285. Its a hot sync to Vivitar 6-pin. Pull out the "Vari Power" knob and you'll understand. The cord will attach there in place of the vari power knob. I've got this type of sensor adapter for a vivitar 283 flash. Anybody have an idea if it's the same one required on the 285? I was actually wondering what it's for - so thanks for that. An I correct in presuming that the sensor adapter would allow it to be used on canon, nikon, pentax, etc

12-24-2007, 07:41 AM	#6
prosbach New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by Clem Nichols Before you wire your old, venerable 285 directly to your K10D by whichever means I suggest you check the trigger voltage of the flash. It's my understanding that at least some of the older 285's have a high voltage which can damage your camera if wired to it. If this is the case with your flash, it will be necessary to fire it wirelessly using either an optical or a radio slave trigger. If it is a high voltage unit then the Wein peanut digital optical slave trigger may work, and it can plug directly into the base of your flash obviating the need to purchase any other adapters or cords. (I could never get the Wein peanut to work with my new 285HV which has a trigger voltage of 4.5 volts, however.) Yours FWIW CN Thank you. Prosbach

12-26-2007, 07:49 AM	#7
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 11,313	I have an old Vivitar 285 HV and while it is a wonderful flash, I will not use it on my K10D as I'm concerned that the high voltage (that's what the HV nomenclature) stands for. would fry my K10D's inner workings. I use the pop up flash and will eventually get a Pentax 360 or 540. Why take a chance that it might or might not be OK? Not worth it to me.

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