Happiness is

Having a Vivitar 283 and going into a charity shop selling some handy accessories for it!

They are a filter holder that clips on the front of the flash gun.
A set of 4 filters that make it suitable for wide angle or telephoto
A gizmo that allows you to set the power of the output from 100% down to 5% which is really handy. Better than the thyristor it came with.
Plus a 4 foot lead that lets you use it off camera which I don't really need but is still useful as it means I can dump a poxy cable I had to use to fire the flash from the remote.

Three cheers for Leominster and the YMCA! This lot cost £5 only result!

Now to measure the trigger voltage on the cable to see if it's OK to use on my K10D allowing me to dump the wireless remote I use at present in some cases. On the other hand I have no idea how to do this!

Mike

Crikey, didn't know there were any 283s left in the wild. That was the flash to have in the 80s

I think they've been making them for years, first in Japan then China in the 90's. I bought it on the recommendation of Peter D (who I hope is recovering well) and it is both powerful and flexible.

I measured the trigger voltage and it was 300+ so the wireless will be required. I'm not too bothered as the flash end bit can just dangle off the 4 foot cable.

Mike

You can also get a Wein Safe Sync if you want to operate it off the hot shoe.

I have just used the gizmo that controls the output for some shots and it's great, so easy to manipulate the flash. 5 quid well spent!

As for the Wein Safe I think at $50 I'll give it a miss - I checked after you mentioned it another topic.

Mike

I have one of those flashes and used it for years very happily. I don't have any of the added gadgets though. The variable output thing sounds very useful. Any more details on that?

Thanks, Kris.

It's a VP-1 as I recall. It's a very simple dial the power you want device that replaces the thyristor. I found with the K10D the thyristor wasn't very useful but the variable power from 100% to 5% is very handy.

I hadn't realised that the 10% setting is about 1/30,000 th of a second so I can now stop speeding bullets! Yet to try mind you.

Mike

Just had a google, the variable power module is called a VP-1. Youc an read about it here Looks like a very useful device if you have a 283 that you use in anger.

I'd quite like to acquire another 283 with the VP-1 as it is as you say very handy. My entry for the New's Eve compo was taken with the 283 at various power settings.

I went out tonight with it stuffed in a pocket to try for the night shot fortnightly competition but to no avail.

Mikie

You should be happy with your fiver purchase, the VP1 seems to be selling for £26!

Cheers, Kris.

edit: and the filters for a further £15...

I am very happy - I reckon I got at least 50 quid's worth of useful gear for a fiver. I just wish I'd got the flash gun as well but someone bought that without the bits.

Mike