Vivitar Speedlight: Hello ! A while back I purchased a spare speed light for my Olympus E series camera's. I have three bodies that will accept a pro flash. I only used the flash...

SonnySearle

Hello !
A while back I purchased a spare speed light for my Olympus E series camera's. I have three bodies that will accept a pro flash. I only used the flash sparingly and still had the original box that it came in.
I recently went to use the flash and the funny connection the held it onto the shoe would not stay connected. This also caused the flash not to fire. I lost the sales information for the flash and wanted to send it to the original manufacturer for repair or replacement. It doesn't seem that Sakor (Vivitar) wants to help me out with this problem. I am just wondering if anyone else had problems with their products ?
Thanks : R.Searle

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

SonnySearle wrote:

Hello ! br A while back I purchased a spare spe... (show quote)

I did not even think Vivitar was still in business. Probably someone bought it (the name) and is doing business as Vivitar. I have had Vivitar Flash units, and a couple lenses. Some of their lenses were actually very good, others junk. Probably various other manufacturers made the lenses for them. That is pretty common.

You might want to supply us with a photo of the unit's hot shoe connector so we know what you are talking about.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Be careful with using older flashes on newer gear - the voltage is far too high and it can fry your camera.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Why not an Olympus flash for your Olympus camera? It is possible that there are new independent flash makers that have a flash to fit your cameras.
As Mr. Perry said, be careful because you could fry your cameras with the old flash.

SonnySearle

SonnySearle wrote:

Hello ! br A while back I purchased a spare spe... (show quote)

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

SonnySearle wrote:

Hello ! br A while back I purchased a spare spe... (show quote)

None of us can offer any advice given the paucity of information you’ve provided. The “funny connection that held it onto the shoe?” Maybe you’re laughing too much to connect it properly! We need to know the model number, and a detailed picture of the “funny” connection wouldn’t hurt.

SonnySearle

RWR wrote:

None of us can offer any advice given the paucity of information you’ve provided. The “funny connection that held it onto the shoe?” Maybe you’re laughing too much to connect it properly! We need to know the model number, and a detailed picture of the “funny” connection wouldn’t hurt.

I can call the connection funny because I never seen such a stupid connection. None of my photo strobes ever had this type of connection. Shown in the picture. I have been involved in Photography for over 50 years. Why couldn't they make the flash that attaches with a nut that holt onto the shoe ?

SonnySearle

Over the years I have had several off camera photo flashes including an Olympus FL36R . When the Olympus stopped working about 6 years I found a flash that was equal to Olympus best model.FL600 R My replacement was a Flashpoint TTL. The best flash for the price too. I bought this Vivitor as a back up and only used it as a spare . It also served as a slave until it stopped working....

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Would it help if you removed the stand from the bottom of the flash? The way the flash 'stands up' in your second and third images is because you have the shoe attached. This shoe is needed to allow the flash to 'stand' when used remote from the camera, in a 'slave' role under the command of the camera or flash on the camera. With the shoe attached, you'd never be able to attach the flash directly to a camera. Flip the 'lock' to the left as seen in your 2nd image to release the flash from the shoe.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

SonnySearle wrote:

I can call the connection funny because I never seen such a stupid connection. None of my photo strobes ever had this type of connection. Shown in the picture. I have been involved in Photography for over 50 years. Why couldn't they make the flash that attaches with a nut that holt onto the shoe ?

For crying out loud, SHOW US THE CONNECTOR you are talking about. Take the stand off. The bottom, sides, all of it.

SonnySearle

CHG_CANON wrote:

Would it help if you removed the stand from the bo... (show quote)

Hello!
I only attached the stand to take the picture. It the type of shoe I am referring to. All other flash companies have a nut that you tighten to attach it to a camera.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

SonnySearle wrote:

Hello!
I only attached the stand to take the picture. It the type of shoe I am referring to. All other flash companies have a nut that you tighten to attach it to a camera.

Although you're proclaimed your lengthy experience, you're clearly missing experience with newer models, like Canon's 580EXII and beyond that also no longer have a screw-type mechanism. You might too respond to the outstanding request for an image of the flash, minus the shoe, showing the requested connection point of this flash. Or maybe, help isn't what you're actually looking for?

SonnySearle

CHG_CANON wrote:

Although you're proclaimed your lengthy experience, you're clearly missing experience with newer models, like Canon's 580EXII and beyond that also no longer have a screw-type mechanism. You might too respond to the outstanding request for an image of the flash, minus the shoe, showing the requested connection point of this flash. Or maybe, help isn't what you're actually looking for?

Hello !
It looks like the Canon has evolved with a shoe connection that stays in place until you press it to lock it on or take it off. I know that Canon makes better products but their camera gear is in a class like the other
great equipment I purchased years ago like Nikon. By the way I still need to have this flash checked out before it goes into the electronic recycle bin.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

SonnySearle wrote:

I can call the connection funny because I never seen such a stupid connection. None of my photo strobes ever had this type of connection. Shown in the picture. I have been involved in Photography for over 50 years. Why couldn't they make the flash that attaches with a nut that holt onto the shoe ?

You posted the pictures while I was still typing, but now I see what you mean. It would be good if it had a threaded wheel to secure it to the camera’s hot shoe - that also compensates for wear, so the connection will always be secure. If you cannot return it you’re stuck with the design flaw, but you might be able to take up some of the slop with a couple small drops of Super Glue Gel on each side of the flash’s contacts. Loctite brand adheres to most plastics, but there’s no way to predict what will work on your unit. When the glue is dry, carefully file it down to size with a jeweler’s or small fingernail file. Good luck!

SonnySearle

Hello!
Thanks for your suggestion. I do think that there is an internal problem with the unit itself. That's why I want someone who works on this type of photo equipment to check it out. I will keep trying...