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Vivitar 283 Flash
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Manufacturer Part: 233952
Brand: Vivitar
Model: 283
Guide Number: 120 @ ISO 100
Mount Type: Hot Shoe Mount
UPC: 019643339521
Product ID: EPID66827410
Description: The Vivitar 283 electronic flash features bounce flash for softer, more professional-quality lighting. The Auto Thyristor circuitry has a fast recycle time and a high number of flashes per set of batteries. Additional features include au...
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Vivitar 283 FlashReview created: 10/08/08(updated 12/11/09)
by:
) 
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
This flash is a workhorse. It's no longer manufactured by Vivitar, so used or overstock inventory is the only way to get it. You can purchase a version of it new, the Vivitar 285. I use the 283 as my location lighting and for pennies on the dollar I get a great lighting system. Some modification is required. A vari-power module is necessary. It replaces the auto-thyristor and allow for full manual control of the flash.
Review ID: 10000000008980892
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Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our Vivitar 283 Flash
) 8 of 9 people found this review helpful.
It's big, it's bulky, but it puts out some light. Nowadays, the Vivitar 283 seems like a relic from days gone by (for all intrinsic purposes, it probably is)...everyone wants auto-this and auto-that, to have each piece of equipment do their work for them. Maybe I'm a relic, too, but I sometimes prefer the old ways. All this new-fangled stuff has gotten me lazy.
Look at the plastic hotshoe foot (the only real issue I have with it) on the 283...one contact point. Dedicated to nothing, but will work with all. Illuminated dial, with a scale showing what aperture to use at what distance with what ASA/DIN (that alone should tell you what era this thing comes from). No LCD panel. Proprietary PC socket. Bounce, but no swivel head. Adjustable sensor (which I've replaced with the VP-1 Vari-power adapter for greater range of output) which control the amount of light it puts out. Another (minor) issue is the battery insert...the 283 has to have it to hold four AA batteries. You can't just drop 'em in.
One note about the 283: older models made in Japan will fry (literally) some digital cameras unless a WeinSafe voltage regulator is used. Hotshoe voltage can reach 400 volts on some. The New Korean and Chinese models are safe, but the voltage should still be checked (especially if you're planning to use one on a Canon).
I bought this thing to use as fill flash for my D1x. I tried it on my D80 this morning, syncing at 1/200, with great results. I may get two more 283s, and stick 'em up on stands and do the strobist thing. They are not shy about putting out light. Put on-camera flash to shame.
Look at the plastic hotshoe foot (the only real issue I have with it) on the 283...one contact point. Dedicated to nothing, but will work with all. Illuminated dial, with a scale showing what aperture to use at what distance with what ASA/DIN (that alone should tell you what era this thing comes from). No LCD panel. Proprietary PC socket. Bounce, but no swivel head. Adjustable sensor (which I've replaced with the VP-1 Vari-power adapter for greater range of output) which control the amount of light it puts out. Another (minor) issue is the battery insert...the 283 has to have it to hold four AA batteries. You can't just drop 'em in.
One note about the 283: older models made in Japan will fry (literally) some digital cameras unless a WeinSafe voltage regulator is used. Hotshoe voltage can reach 400 volts on some. The New Korean and Chinese models are safe, but the voltage should still be checked (especially if you're planning to use one on a Canon).
I bought this thing to use as fill flash for my D1x. I tried it on my D80 this morning, syncing at 1/200, with great results. I may get two more 283s, and stick 'em up on stands and do the strobist thing. They are not shy about putting out light. Put on-camera flash to shame.
Review ID: 10000000009887316
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as described, fast shipment - no problems.
) 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Vivitar 283 is an an old workhorse. With some slight modifications it work great with upscale digital camera - even better than the expensive flashes that are designed for the camera..
Review ID: 10000000010044383
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Oldie but Goodie1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
I was very sad the day that I heard Vivitar had discontinued their 283 model. I have been a professional photographer for 9 years now and I am probably in the last generation to train on film cameras. The 283 is the flash head that I have always used, and continue to use to this day with my digital equiptment. The flash head is lightweight and, unlike newer flashes that I have purchased, it is not difficult to work with. The head is adjustable for bouncing the flash and I work with a diffusing cap for it as well. I use a veripower sensor or my 283 that I know like the back of my hand. It controls the power from a little kiss of light all the way up to full blast, shoot in the dark light! There's no digital broohaha to mess with. The design is simple, and completely effective.
I have purchased several 283's on ebay to build up my reserves now that I cannot buy them from a retail source. It would truly take a major shift in my thinking to get me to change from this trusted model of flash. I am very satisfied with this product.
I have purchased several 283's on ebay to build up my reserves now that I cannot buy them from a retail source. It would truly take a major shift in my thinking to get me to change from this trusted model of flash. I am very satisfied with this product.
Review ID: 10000000011983742
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283 is great!1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
I own three of them, they work great on my Fuji S7000, but you can't put them on Sony A100 even with adaptor, it won't work! Regular slave won't work either, you need Wein (D) digital slave to work with A100's build in flash. Also, voltage is very high so try not to touch the contact pin, I got zapped more then once.
Review ID: 10000000011610248
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My ebay purchase: Vivitar 283 auto thyristor flash unitReview created: 10/01/09
by:
I love these babies! Less sophisticated than the 285, but tougher. Owned a number of them over the years. This is a self-regulated (not dedicated) automatic flash, great for use with any and all cameras, as long as one knows what one is doing. I would obviously buy another one if I'm growing interested in photography again. I'm an old head, a traditionalist. I may acquire some digital equipment eventually.
This unit was quite emaculate and cost so little, how could I resist? A big plus was that it was auctioned with its pc cord. Unfortunately, a high percentage of used flashes on ebay, even in the stores, are sold without their original (not accessory) off-camera cords and cables. This was a great buy. You go, ebay!
This unit was quite emaculate and cost so little, how could I resist? A big plus was that it was auctioned with its pc cord. Unfortunately, a high percentage of used flashes on ebay, even in the stores, are sold without their original (not accessory) off-camera cords and cables. This was a great buy. You go, ebay!
Review ID: 10000000013674410
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Vivitar 283 auto flashA great flash,perfect for studio set up with slave unit.Varible power selection.This flash works well with both film and digital.You do not need to spend a lot of money for a good flash unit.
Review ID: 10000000013593809
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Very gOOd item!I have decided to test as strobist. This flash approaches for my employment. It does not have only adjustment of capacity of an impulse.
Review ID: 10000000013570528
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vivitar 283 flashReview created: 08/14/09
by:
the best flash for the money spended when it came to the market. simple to use. a great workhorse for any camera system. Bracket over and under by half to a ful stop and you got the shot you wanted. perfect for fill-in flash. the only weakness is the shoe. it eventual cracked or snapped off a piece. replacing the shoes was easy, given the shoe options. replacements shoes came in stardard vivitar shoe or the replacement metal shoe by hollis ( nice up grade ) the only short coming was replacing the batterys if you forgot. a bounce card or a soft clear tisse over the head sweeten the lighting for a natural look with super soft shadows.
this flash helped cut down the equipement that you had in your camera bag. carried more film, batterys & a good light meter. you were set to enjoy your day shooting about town. the next upgrade was the zoom head on the vivitar 285. with six of these flashes you could do studio shots with slaves units and the sb-4 power supply to replace the batterys.
try this, they worked great with the open shutter on the camera at night for filling in detail on a long exposurer shot. good with b&w film for this trial.
this flash helped cut down the equipement that you had in your camera bag. carried more film, batterys & a good light meter. you were set to enjoy your day shooting about town. the next upgrade was the zoom head on the vivitar 285. with six of these flashes you could do studio shots with slaves units and the sb-4 power supply to replace the batterys.
try this, they worked great with the open shutter on the camera at night for filling in detail on a long exposurer shot. good with b&w film for this trial.
Review ID: 10000000013140892
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All photogs should have a 283 Flash in their cam bag.Review created: 03/17/09
by:
I like that the unot is small yet amazingly powerful. I like that one could change out the shoe to a steel foot with a household plug adapter, too. The flash can be used as an on camera flash and there are plenty of them out there, so they are available at a very good cost. This flash can also be used as a studio flash with great results. This unit is also able to be powered by an AC adapter.
Review ID: 10000000011190389
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Status is so so0 of 8 people found this review helpful.
I know used. but it's so old.
If I know it early maybe don't bouaght....
.........................
If I know it early maybe don't bouaght....
.........................
Review ID: 10000000010074522
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