Vivitar 285 HV Flashes
Vivitar 285 HV Flashes
USER REVIEWS
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[Dec 03, 2000]
Jeff Kniple
Intermediate
Strength:
Great power for your dollar. Very flexible with the available attachments, power cords, sensor cords...
Weakness:
Slow recycling time with regular alkaline batteries. Much better with (expensive) lithiums. I would echo most of the positive praise in the other reviews, and offer two more additions. The SB-24 power cord and turns this flash into the equivalent of a small studio light. Even at full power the recycling time is only about 2-3 seconds with this AC power source. This is about $25.00, and worth every penny for someone wanting a portable studio in a living room, and to save money on batteries. Also the sensor cord works as a great way to meter at the camera even when the flash is being used in an umbrella. Very accurate this way. I have one of these flashes and will be buying a couple more before long. They are terrific!! Customer Service don't know Similar Products Used: Minolta 3500xi, Vivitar 283 |
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[Dec 16, 2000]
J.R. Jalandoni
Intermediate
Strength:
powerful, quick recycling time with ni-cad batteries
Weakness:
my brand new unit refused to fire after just 2 rolls of film. Local vivitar dealer repaired it. I purchased my 285 HV brand new just this year. A powerful flash with quick recycling time. This model has been around for over 20years so it must be good. I've used it with my manual focus SLRs with excellent results. Just would like to know if this unit is safe to use with modern CANON EOS cameras. I was told that they might cause damage to modern AF cameras. Would welcome any comments. Please contact me at jrj@pacific.net.ph Customer Service OK Similar Products Used: Sunpak, Canon |
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[Dec 22, 2000]
Todd Walker
Expert
Strength:
Powerful enough for most
Weakness:
For the cost of it, none. Gives very good results in manual mode, al long as you concentrate on what your doing. I've never used the auto mode. The manual power setting are full,1/2,1/4 & 1/16. There are a few times when I would have liked the option of a 1/8 setting. Flash output is generally 2/3-1 stop hotter (up close)than what the calculator dial says, this is corrected with a Lumiquest softbox attached. Customer Service none needed Similar Products Used: Canon 380EX |
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[Feb 20, 2001]
Gabriel Lopez
Intermediate
Strength:
Great power for the price. The 4 auto settings work fine to me.
Weakness:
I would like a better recycling time. I improve that with a battery pack that I made by myself. I use the flash for weddings and it provide great portrait photos. The 4 auto settings are very accurate, but be carefull if you use the auto settings and set the f/stop manually with a zoom lens that have a variable f/stop, like 3.5~5.6. Customer Service Not needed at this time. Similar Products Used: Sunpak 544 Auto |
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[Aug 22, 2001]
Greg Chappell
Intermediate
Strength:
4-Auto F stop selection
Weakness:
The plastic foot is breakable, although I've never suffered that fate. Some of the nicer accessories can be hard to find. Great flash. I love to use it with the off-camera cord that allows you to mount the sensor on the camera hot shoe and the flash itself on a bracket hight enough to avoid "red eye" completely. It also creates an almost TTL reading since the sensor is actually closer to the lens than if the flash was mounted directly on the camera. A great set up with my Konica Hexar AF when the HX-14 flash is too weak for what I want to do. I've also used these units with Rollei TLR's, Nikon F2's, Leica M6's, etc., etc. Just extremely reliable and flexible. Never had one fail me in the over 12 years I've been using them. Customer Service Never used. Just buy another one if it breaks. Similar Products Used: None. All others used are dedicated TTL units |
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[Aug 29, 2001]
Raymond Kwok
Intermediate
Strength:
Super powerful!
Weakness:
Big and heavy. I got a used from ebay only US$55. I like the manu output control. I use it for a slave. It is powerful and durable. But happy to eat batteries. I using 1700mah NiMH. This can shorten recover time and serv longer time. Customer Service I don't know where they are! Similar Products Used: Canon 380EX |
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[Dec 15, 1999]
Sean Redmond
Expert
Model Reviewed:
285 HV Flash
Strength:
This flash is pretty easy to use if you don't have a dedicated flash. It is very versatile and can be used in a number of different situations, including long distances (60+ft.). The vari-power is handy, as is the wide to zoom ability.
Weakness:
Because it is all manual, all the time, you have to be careful, but you ought to know that. Otherwise, this flash is great. This flash is great, but if I had a camera that could support one, I'd rather have a computerized dedicated flash. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Nov 05, 1999]
Charles Hess
Professional
Model Reviewed:
285 HV Flash
Strength:
Extremely reliable, produces quality fill-flash at fraction of dedicated flashes.
Weakness:
None - has worked perfectly At fraction of cost of Nikon/Canon et al dedicated flashes, Vivitar produces high quality and reliable lighting on or off camera Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: Canon 540EZ |
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[Nov 04, 1999]
HODGY
Expert
Model Reviewed:
285 HV Flash
Strength:
Cheap, powerfull, and versatile
Weakness:
none 2 date This flash is ideal for someone who doesnt want to spend the big bucks on a dedicated flash. The variable Thyrister allows you to stop down your power (full,1/2, 1/4, and 1/16 power) so you don't have to back up when using flash. Put 2 of these suckers with umbrellas and you have a perfect portable portrait lighting. The auto features work very well. I have had no misfires and when using auto the flash output is perfect. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Sep 25, 1999]
Kristine Trent
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
285 HV Flash
Strength:
Powerfull!
Weakness:
none I think one of the best bounce flashes ever made. Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: Vivitar 283 |