Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I find it interesting to hear from those of you who have managed to adapt old equipment to modern cameras. My last post concerned an old tripod, which returned some interesting posts.

So, here's another. I dug into my old camera bag which contains a pair of film Konica slrs. There I found a Vivitar model 5200 Zoom Thyristor (wow! Star Wars). I believe I bought it in the early '80s. For curiosity sake, I put some batteries in it and pushed the test button - it worked. Next, I connected it to the hot shoe on my Canon 20D and 6D. The shutter release flashed the unit in both cases. I have not yet tested it by taking an actual shot. The Konicas had a fixed shutter speed for flash - 1/125 sec. (nice & simple) but my Canons are somewhat different. The 20D flash instructions don't appear to be too complicated, but the 6D is more involved (variables). I'll need to do some brushing up with the owner's manual.

This flash is in mint condition with no surface scratches. The zoom feature has 3 settings: 35mm, 50mm, & 85mm. It also has an iso setting, but at the moment I don't know how far that will take you since I took out the batteries (I can't tell you how many battery operated devices, flashlights, etc that have been ruined by leaking batteries).

I have two questions re the above: 1) anyone have one of these and are using it? 2) Do you think the flash will work reasonably well on my Dslrs? I use the flash feature very little, mostly family and visitor shapshots. So, I'm hesitant to invest in a Canon Speedlite which will get very little use.

Bill

ahancock

Check the trigger voltage and make sure that it Is not above the maximum voltage that the camera can accept. Some of the older flashes had high trigger voltages.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I use a few old Vivitar flashes for event photography such as school alumni gatherings. I use them off camera with remote triggers.

I would not recommend using it directly on the camera hotshoe since you probably will damage your camera over time. You could invest in a Wein Safe-sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe High Voltage Sync Regulator (Mfg# W990560). These are not cheap ($100 or so) but I do highly recommend them.

I see that your Vivitar model sells for $30.00 and under on eBay. So you may not want to invest much into using it.

To be quite honest, there is nothing that beats a flash that supports full E-TTL for your camera- whether you choose a Canon or third party flash.

When you start using a quality flash, you will wonder how you got along without one. Flash photography, as in most aspects of photography, does take a little practice to master.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Trigger voltage on botzilla shows 9.4 volts- a bit on the high side.
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html
If you really want to use the flash I'd be careful and use the Wein Safe Sync haroldross mentioned.

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Google trigger voltage for this unit...I did and it is 9.4v higher than what is recommended for DSLRs (6v). Could use a voltage regulator similar to this Wein: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html

I use my old Vivitar and Sunpak flashes with the Cowboy wireless synchs.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Thanks for the cautionary info. However, I don't have a clue how to test the flash's trigger voltage. The 20D manual only mentions not to exceed 250 volt flash when the flash unit is connected via the external PC terminal. The 6D manual simply states "do not attach a high voltage flash unit....", whatever that means- 250volts or what? I also checked the flash owner's manual, but the specifications section did not cover any electrical/voltage nomenclature.

Hopefully, someone here will know what the Vivitar's trigger voltage output is. While the test flash did not appear to harm my cameras, I will refrain from additional testing until I find out the answers.

Bill

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Thanks to all for the info. The Wein device on B&H sells for $49.95. Since the Vivitar flash is of little value, I'll forgo investing in the converter and decide on one of the Canon Speedlites.

Bill

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I would buy one of the $60 flashes at Target or Walmart before taking any chances with that old Vivitar mounted directly on camera, HOWEVER, with an optical slave foot it would still serve very nicely as an off-camera accessory light for background, hair light, etc.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

Excellent advice! There are tales of modern cameras "freezing up" or worse from high trigger voltages. Older cameras can tolerate high trigger voltages, although I'd guess that any electronically timed shutter might be vulnerable.

I've measured some of my old flashes at 200v or so, and I've labeled them "No Digi" so I won't use them on my K10 or K5. I understand that a digital multimeter is the thing to use, they can be bought for $20 or so at Home Despot.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Don't throw it away yet. I have two and use them off camera with a couple of inexpensive optical slave triggers I bought on Amazon. Couple of bucks each, work flawlessly, on either tripods or L-bracket. They are powerful.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

To use slave triggers, don't you still need an on camera flash? I am not familiar with slave devices. Can you provide a bit more "how to" re equipment needed?

Thanks,

Bill

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Yes, you can use your camera's built in flash or a dedicated flash in the hot shoe. I use these, a little over 8 bucks a piece and so far they have worked every time.

http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-SYK-4-Optical-Trigger-Socket/dp/B0028DM1YA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1389196425&sr=1-1&keywords=optical+slave+trigger


Just make sure that if mounted forward of the camera that the sensor is facing towards you. As for using the L flash bracket attached to the camera itself, I have it facing towards the subject and the on board flash always triggers it.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

[quote=ocbeyer]Yes, you can use your camera's built in flash or a dedicated flash in the hot shoe. I use these, a little over 8 bucks a piece and so far they have worked every time.

Since my Canon 6D does not have a built-in flash, it appears I will still have to purchase a flash unit compatible with my camera.

Bill

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

[quote=Billbobboy42]

I've gotten a lot of good use out of this little tilt flash, new for less than $50. Guide number of only 20, still much better than built in flashes, fully TTL and the infrared auto focus assist works great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vivitar-VIV-DF-183-CAN-Series-1-TTL-DLSR-Bounce-Flash-Fits-Canon-TTL-Cameras-/231124903605?pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item35d01e26b5

Of course if you don't mind shootting manual you can pick up universal flashes for a lot less. In fact, there are modern high power, low voltage versions of your Vivitar for under $30.

http://www.amazon.com/Bower-Digital-Universal-Automatic-Minolta/dp/B001O81CAE/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1389198324&sr=1-1&keywords=universal+flash