Vivitar 283 help: I have the PDF manual - but it doesn't say anything about it, any switches or something I missed?
816541
I've had a 283 for well over 25 years now. It still takes a licking & keeps on flashing. As far as rotating the flash head is concerned, you should be able to simply grasp the (top) horizontal section of the unit, while holding the bottom section (vertical) & elevate it. The 283 has an indicator that shows you the angle percent right on the joint where it pivots. There's no release button or latch, you just bend it up & it clicks into the various degrees/angles. This flash is very well built and mine still works like it just came out of the box. Hope this helped you.
2221209
My experience is like Deloye's. I used it with a Canon T1i and a 30-year-old Vivitar 283 flash. The camera and flash don't talk to each other except for the "fire-the-flash" signal, so it's up to you to choose the appropriate settings on the camera and flash separately.
654966
I have a K-5 and a Vivitar DF-383 flash. When placing the flash on the camera shoe and turning on the battery power the flash pulses. The ttl feature is useless. I must shoot in manual mode to utilize the flash. Yours may not suffer from this problem. For you sake, I hope not.
647592
It should work. However not sure they sell the Vivitar anymore. I think another company bought it and it is marketed under another name. I am using Vello which works well with the D800.
77894
Because it nikon the ttl is set up differently... Canon has it own format of TTL... What I would do is if you had the flash less than 30 day exchange it or call vivitar and ask for a replacement flash but with a canon hot shoe... Vivitar's customer service is very helpful!
526797
Regarding plugging in to the USB on the back of the computer, etc. etc., I don't understand why it has to be so much trouble. My Vivitar pocket camera just...works.However, I'm going to try it...I've plugged the camera into a back USB port. We'll see what happens.
389211
The package it came in had a blue/white plastic covered cardboard insert that is the only manual I have. It has the features, the compatibilities, and the specifications. However, you may be able to find a duplicate or elaborated form on one of two websites: www.jetbeamlight.com or www.niteyelight.com.
1902014
I beleive there are a couple of settings for the flash. Like flash, fill flash and so on. I think you can download the manual from their site.
94751
Don't know what you mean by shoe, if you are to use the Vivitar 285 just plop it on your t3i hot shoe, and fire away, I use a flash 90% of the time shooting f 7.1 or 5.6 on up to 11, and at 1/200 sec, manual mode, start with m on the flash if too bright cut it 1.4 or 1/8 vivitar is perfect all around flash
1842432
Check out the wireless remote for the Canon 40D and other D series models made by Accessory Power Professional Series CANON RS-80N3 Equivalent Wireless Remote For EOS-3, 1v HS/1v, 1D-series, 1Ds-series, 5D-series, EOS 7D 10D, 20D, 30. It looks similar to the Vivitar (It has the same plastic remote and receiver bodies!) but is priced cheaper at $34.99 on Amazon! I've had mine for almost a year and I've had no problems with it. Like the Vivitar, make sure that the remote and receiver are in sync when you first use it. When you're not using it for a long period of time, make sure you take out the battery from the receiver, so you don't have a dead battery when you use it again.
1143557
Make sure that its seated deeply in the hotshoe.. it will go out, but depending on the flash mode in settings, it has a modeling light which is constantly on.. otherwise, it goes out and will light up for focus assist in darker areas.. hope this helps..
1784378
There isn't one as far as I know. I think you have two choices - 1) use ETTL, or 2) guess the power in manual and review the histogram. I must say that I'm disappointed that they haven't published a fix for the manual / pre-flash problem, and I'm currently considering going back to PW because of this. However, if you want ETTL, they are great.
1477516
I have the same problem. Seller is sending me a new flashlight. Don't know about just a switch.
1209730
I dont have a clue. You may want to check the forums for the differences between GTI vs GLI and compatibilities. It's worked like a charm for me, I just need to VAGCOM so I can change my lighting preferences.
375206
You have to check the voltage output on the flashes. The original Vivitars had very high voltage outputs that would fry newer electronic cameras. If you don't have the original specs for the flash, get a $5 multi tester from radio shack. It's easy to do and you can find detailed instructions on the internet. Just do a google search.
926305
I agree with Gordon Johnson. Probably you don't have the flash set to ttl. It won't work otherwise.
888610
I bought the one you ask about for a friend, I personally have a VIVITAR VIV-RW-5000-BLK 50-In-1 Card Reader (Black) which I think is pretty much identical. It works fine with Windows 8.1, I just tested it.