vivitar 283 with MZ7 and SF1?

**grog85361** · 01-25-2011, 09:39 PM

I have an old Vivitar 283. Can the MZ7 and SF1 handle it's trigger voltage? I know it can't be used on a DSLR.

Steinback · 01-25-2011, 11:09 PM

Have you actually tested the flash with a digital multimeter? What sort of voltage are you seeing? Some 283s have low trigger voltages and some are very high depending on the year of manufacture.

I think of high voltage flashes as generally being safe on manual cameras because they (generally) have mechanical trigger switches rather than a digitally controlled switch. Some automated film cameras have the same low voltage restrictions as digital SLRs, but I'm not sure how Pentax set up their later film cameras.

**grog85361** · 01-26-2011, 09:05 AM

Thank You! I haven't measured the voltage, but I will give it a try. This flash was a thrift shop buy, so I'm assuming it is from the non auto/non digital era. The id sticker has been torn off, but there is no mistaking a 283!

CGJung · 01-26-2011, 03:25 PM

There are two version of 283s, old one with high trigger voltage and newer one (made in China), with (reported) lower trigger voltage (see list). But, it is a good idea to check it yourself.

SOldBear · 01-26-2011, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by CGJung

There are two version of 283s, old one with high trigger voltage and newer one (made in China), with (reported) lower trigger voltage (see list). But, it is a good idea to check it yourself.

There are some units made in Japan but having low trigger voltage. I had one. Its voltage is somewhere between 7 and 8 V.

01-25-2011, 09:39 PM	#1
grog85361 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 893	vivitar 283 with MZ7 and SF1? I have an old Vivitar 283. Can the MZ7 and SF1 handle it's trigger voltage? I know it can't be used on a DSLR.

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01-25-2011, 11:09 PM	#2
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Have you actually tested the flash with a digital multimeter? What sort of voltage are you seeing? Some 283s have low trigger voltages and some are very high depending on the year of manufacture. I think of high voltage flashes as generally being safe on manual cameras because they (generally) have mechanical trigger switches rather than a digitally controlled switch. Some automated film cameras have the same low voltage restrictions as digital SLRs, but I'm not sure how Pentax set up their later film cameras.

01-26-2011, 09:05 AM	#3
grog85361 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 893 Original Poster	Thank You! I haven't measured the voltage, but I will give it a try. This flash was a thrift shop buy, so I'm assuming it is from the non auto/non digital era. The id sticker has been torn off, but there is no mistaking a 283!

01-26-2011, 03:25 PM	#4
CGJung Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 92	There are two version of 283s, old one with high trigger voltage and newer one (made in China), with (reported) lower trigger voltage (see list). But, it is a good idea to check it yourself.

01-26-2011, 03:34 PM	#5
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by CGJung There are two version of 283s, old one with high trigger voltage and newer one (made in China), with (reported) lower trigger voltage (see list). But, it is a good idea to check it yourself. There are some units made in Japan but having low trigger voltage. I had one. Its voltage is somewhere between 7 and 8 V.

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