Nikon D3100 + Vivitar 285 strobe ?

[Tim, Ohio]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and wondered if anyone knows if it is
going to be possible to use a very old (25 year) vivitar
285 with a modern DSLR, Nikon d3100?

Thanks,

Tim, Ohio

 

[ghache]

On camera you cant, the voltage of the old vivitar 285 is too high.
However, off camera with some triggers there is no problem at all.

 

[Dao]

Or you may need a safe sync

Safe Sync - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Tim, Ohio]

Which brand works best. I notice one that drops the voltage to 6 volts. Is this
the voltage that most dslrs will require? Thanks in advance.

 

[ghache]

you can get your hand on the 285HV wich has the lower voltage wich is safe for new cameras

 

[Dao]

Most of the modern camera hot shoe flash has low trigger voltage. I have 3 Vivitar 285HV flashes and they have low trigger voltage. I also have 2 old Vivitar 283 flashes that have over 200V tigger voltage. (They all works with my older Canon XTi and my current 40D).


As for the safe sync, Wein Safe sync is popular.