Morkstar Loc: Newcastle United Kingdom

I am thinking of trying the setup shown using a canon EOS7D, a 580EX speedlight and an OLD Vivitar 285 Flash Gun.

Thoughts? I'm just a but scared of connecting an old flash to my modern camera (albeit that it's via a sync cord). I don't want to fry anything....

Thanks

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

Check the voltage on your Vivitar 285 some were safe

Morkstar Loc: Newcastle United Kingdom

It seems the 285 (probably not HV) is a camera killer. I won't risk it

Thanks

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

It might depend on just how old the 285 is, although even then it is kind of dicey. There is a $50 device called Wein Safe Synch that is supposed to cut the trigger voltage down to more modern low levels. Some web pages even show a DIY project for that if you don't mind tearing into the flash and soldering some extra components together (only saw that for a 283 so far...). A further complication is that different cameras might have different limits for trigger voltage -- 3 or 4 volts for some, or as much as 12V for others. You should be able to research what will work for your particular camera and flash, though. Maybe consult some camera store experts somewhere as well. My instincts keep me from connecting the old flashes to electronic film or digital cameras, but some adventurous souls might get away with it! Maybe.