Use Simple Flash on a Nikon D5100?

[c_dewitt]

i just purchased a Nikon D5100. Great camera, I've already got several really good shots but the book dosn't say much about using a generic flash on it. I went to put my trusty old Vivitar 2800 on and can't seem to make things work. The flash goes off but the picture is dark like there's no flash. I was on manual with the shutter at 1/100, f8. Am I missing a setting or will this camera just not use so simple a flash?

Any ideas?

Thanks,
C DeWitt

 

[greybeard]

The plain Vivitar 2800 has a sync voltage of 40-180 volts which may FRY the electronics in you D5100. The 2800D however is 8-11 volts which should be fine. So, before you try using it anymore you need to determine which model you have and hope it is a D model.

Voltages | DPanswers

 

[KmH]

Nikon hot shoes are good up to +250 volts, but any negative voltage is verboten. (See page 202 of the D5100 User's Manual)
(See page 275 of the D7000 User's manual)

The Vivitar is not in sync with the camera. How many contacts are there on the Vivitar's foot?