Off-camera flash not firing

molotschna · 04-19-2012, 07:38 PM

It's only metal around a central piece of plastic; if you're looking down at it from the top, it's just a metal square with a plastic circle in the middle where the ball rests, which I assume makes it proper.

sterretje · 04-20-2012, 12:17 AM - **1 Like**

Can you post a photo of the top of the adapter?

The PC contact is activated by a switch in the camera, just like a light switch. Where the ball in the foot of the flash rests in the adaptor must be conductive.

PS
It sounds like you might have the wrong adapter; yours might be one that is meant to be placed in the hotshoe of the camera to give a PC output (for cameras like a K10D that does not have a PC output).

Is this what yours looks like (image borrowed from bhphotovideo)?

You need one that has a contact in the center on the top. Something like this (image borrowed from amazon)

Or like this (borrowed from bhphotovideo)

molotschna · 04-20-2012, 08:18 AM

That is PRECISELY what the problem must be. I have the top adapter. Mystery solved -- thank you so much for your help!

noblepa · 04-20-2012, 02:16 PM

I noticed that you're using the Vivitar 285HV. There is a PC cord available that fits into the small socket on the side of the flash unit. They're all over ebay and fit the 285/285HV/283.

With this cord, you don't need a hotshoe adapter at all.

3 Vivitar 283 285 12" PC Flash Strobe Sync Cords NEW | eBay

I used search keywords "vivitar 283 pc cord" to find this one and a bunch like it.

molotschna · 04-20-2012, 02:46 PM

I didn't realize that tiny little hole actually served a purpose until you said this. I had looked for a hole for that wire (the flash came with a small one) but couldn't find it. Now I have. Thanks!

04-20-2012, 12:17 AM - 1 Like	#17
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Can you post a photo of the top of the adapter? The PC contact is activated by a switch in the camera, just like a light switch. Where the ball in the foot of the flash rests in the adaptor must be conductive. PS It sounds like you might have the wrong adapter; yours might be one that is meant to be placed in the hotshoe of the camera to give a PC output (for cameras like a K10D that does not have a PC output). Is this what yours looks like (image borrowed from bhphotovideo)? You need one that has a contact in the center on the top. Something like this (image borrowed from amazon) Or like this (borrowed from bhphotovideo) Last edited by sterretje; 04-20-2012 at 01:36 AM.

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04-19-2012, 07:38 PM	#16
molotschna New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: McPherson, Kan. Photos: Albums Posts: 22 Original Poster	It's only metal around a central piece of plastic; if you're looking down at it from the top, it's just a metal square with a plastic circle in the middle where the ball rests, which I assume makes it proper.

04-20-2012, 08:18 AM	#18
molotschna New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: McPherson, Kan. Photos: Albums Posts: 22 Original Poster	That is PRECISELY what the problem must be. I have the top adapter. Mystery solved -- thank you so much for your help!

04-20-2012, 02:16 PM	#19
noblepa Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,126	I noticed that you're using the Vivitar 285HV. There is a PC cord available that fits into the small socket on the side of the flash unit. They're all over ebay and fit the 285/285HV/283. With this cord, you don't need a hotshoe adapter at all. 3 Vivitar 283 285 12" PC Flash Strobe Sync Cords NEW \| eBay I used search keywords "vivitar 283 pc cord" to find this one and a bunch like it.

04-20-2012, 02:46 PM	#20
molotschna New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: McPherson, Kan. Photos: Albums Posts: 22 Original Poster	I didn't realize that tiny little hole actually served a purpose until you said this. I had looked for a hole for that wire (the flash came with a small one) but couldn't find it. Now I have. Thanks!

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