kimberliswenson Loc: Ridgefield, WA

I have a Nikon D7000 and a Nikon D60, both of which I love dearly. I have a Vivitar Auto Thyristor 3700 that I use to use with
my film camera. The flash is still in perfect working order. My question is can I use it on either of my Nikons, specifically my D7000. I have been told conflicting things....that the flash can fry the electronics in the camera, that it will work but may not fire in sync, you name it. I would really like to know if it will work. Unfortunately a speedlight is just not in my budget and won't be any time soon. I don't want any judgements or to be told I am crazy for trying it....I am asking for advice from someone who knows definitively....I have NOT attached it to my camera or tried to fire it yet.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

DON'T try it until we find out what the trigger voltage is.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It would be impossible to tell without the electronic specifics of the flash, but for me, I wouldn't try it. Too much to lose and too little to gain. Maybe use it as a slave flash but I wouldn't attach it to my hotshoe.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You're fast tonight Goofy! LOL

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Iffy, it's over 9 volts.
Nikon SB 800 is less than 4- half the Vivitar

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

I'm supposed to be putting a slide show together.

This site is addictive!

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

You'd only be able to use it in Auto mode, not TTL.

kimberliswenson Loc: Ridgefield, WA

Thank you so much for listing this website! I have searched everything I can think of and couldn't find this information.
I will NOT be putting this flash on my camera!! Anyone know where to get a speedlight cheap?? Lol.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Hopefully one of you out there is a an electronic techno-stud and can give a definitive answer.
MT's suggestion to use it on a slave trigger is a good one, so I would keep it.
Metz, Vivitar and Sunpak make very good flases if you can't afford a Nikon (they like thier$)
I know there were other suggestions on another thread.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Here is a more up-to-date site Feb 2010.
It's based on if they are safe for a Canon EOS- not sure how to interpolate for others.
It states "your call" on your Vivitar, which I take as maybe, maybe not.

http://kevinmurrayphotography.com/archives/reference/lighting-strobe-and-flash/portable-flash-and-studio-strobe-trigger-voltages.php

Mpeter45 Loc: Springfield, Illinois

I have used Vivitar flashes with Canon camera for 35 years. The
original 283's has a much higher voltage than Canon(I gave my AE-1
a lobotomy) but that problem was solved years ago. I also used an
NVS-1, a double powered 283, with a Canon 10d, until I burned
out the triggering circuit on the flash. Am now looking for someone to
fix it, as Norm V. Stuesney has retired.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Nikon says that their cameras are safe with trigger voltages up to 250 volts but not higher & not any negative voltages. I have used older flashes (Vivitar 285 HV,Lester Dine Ring Light, etc) with my Nikon D70s over the last several years with no ill effects. You are limited to the flash being in manual or auto modes as the newer iTTl on Nikon bodies will not communicate properly with the older TTl units even the Nikon models.The newer Nikon flashes are better suited unless ,like me, you are on a budget & are willing to work a bit more for your results. Trigger voltages can be checked out by using a multimeter on the older units & you may have to tape over all but the center contacts in order to get the older unit to fire on your camera as the camera is looking for info from the shoe mounted flash & the info transmitted by older TTl units isn't the same info that the newer iTTl units transmit. Older gearheads like myself enjoy playing with these older units, you may not. My suggestion to you is to look for an older Nikon unit (like an SB 24/25/26 ) & use it in auto mode until such time as you can afford a newer one.

guy145 Loc: Norridge IL

Can you give a step by step of how to measure the voltage of a flash? If you can't please direct to some who can. I would like to test my flash. I don't want to fry my 7D or Xsi
thax guy

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

One probe (Black-neg) to the side ot the flash foot & the other (Red-pos) to the ceter pin. Just turn the flash on & let the ready light come on. No need to trip it...Here is a link to help you, scroll down to the section on measuring trigger voltages...
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/g1strobe.html

sploppert Loc: Rochester, NY

kimberliswenson, I have a Nikon sb80 DX flash in the box never used except to test it to make sure it was working properly. This was a backup flash and never needed to use it. If your interested let me know.
splopper@rochester.rr.com

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Would a Wein Sync-Safe solve this problem?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245292-REG/Wein_W990560_Safe_Sync_Hot_Shoe_to.html