Flash Question

eccs19 · Nov 30, 2008

I just got hold of a older Vivitar 16A flash. I say older, because most of the 16A's I see on the internet look slightly different than the one I've got. It has the hotshoe mount, and also has the remote cable. It was originally used on an old Minolta camera. Does anyone know if this flash would work with my newer Pentax *ist D? I've heard there can be voltage issues with older flashes, so I don't want to just put it on and try it.

eccs19 · Nov 30, 2008

Here is the flash in question.

eccs19 · Nov 30, 2008

As a follow up, I measured the voltage, and it's just a tad under 240 volts. No good for my camera. :grumpy:

JerryPH · Nov 30, 2008

Wait, don't toss it yet. Is this flash manually adjustable? If it is, a $35 investment in Cactus trigger/receiver is all you need. Besides, off camera flash rules... on camera, it drools.

icassell · Nov 30, 2008

You can also get a wein hotshoe adapter to make it safe if you want to use it on-camera. I use one of these with my old Vivitar 283 when I want to connect it to the camera.

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

ksmattfish · Nov 30, 2008

eccs19 said:
Does anyone know if this flash would work with my newer Pentax *ist D?

Beyond possible voltage issues, it depends on your definition of "work". This flash is ancient auto-flash technology. It's auto modes not very accurate, and were designed to rely on the huge exposure latitude of neg film. You could set it to full power, and adjust your aperture to control flash exposure, but compared to almost any modern flash this is a severly limited device.

danman281 · Nov 30, 2008

JerryPH said:
Wait, don't toss it yet. Is this flash manually adjustable? If it is, a $35 investment in Cactus trigger/receiver is all you need. Besides, off camera flash rules... on camera, it drools.

Can you do this? The website that sells Cactus V2:
http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16767&cat=274&page=1

states:
CAUTION: Beware not to work with high voltage flashes or studio strobes with a triggering voltage of 12V or higher.

I found an old Vivitar 2500 Thyristor in my house and if it works with my cactus then I'll use it. The dealer looks like they say it doesn't work though.

eccs19 · Dec 1, 2008

Thanks all for the input. I checked the voltage on this, and it was close to 240V DC. Obviously to high for my camera. I found on Fleabay this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=170281209967

For $7 I figured I'd give it a try. Nothing to loose but $7. Cheap toy. :wink:

danman281 · Dec 2, 2008

eccs19 said:
Thanks all for the input. I checked the voltage on this, and it was close to 240V DC. Obviously to high for my camera. I found on Fleabay this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=170281209967

For $7 I figured I'd give it a try. Nothing to loose but $7. Cheap toy.

cool. tell us how it goes. I wouldn't mind having one if it works well. gl

eccs19 · Dec 16, 2008

Well my $8 Seagull flash remote trigger showed up, and it actually works. Now I just have to figure out proper position of it, and if best to shoot directly, or bounce of off something. I did a quick test, just for fun. Bounced off the ceiling.