Vivitar 283 with Cactus v4 question

[Drea K]

Ok, so I've decided to go with a Cactus v4 set up to connect my Canon Rebel xs to my flashes. Here is my question: I want to start with a super cheap flash for learning purposes. I can get a Vivitar 283 for cheap on ebay, but how do I out it all together. I'm not familiar with the "anatomy" of the Vivitar 283. If I use the hotshoe connection between the flash and receiver, how would I mount it to my light stand? Other option would be to mount the flash to the lightstand and use a pc sync cord to connect flash to receiver, but does the Vivitar 283 have a pc connection port?

Thanks for help and/or alternate ideas.

[Samanax]

Originally Posted by Drea K

Ok, so I've decided to go with a Cactus v4 set up to connect my Canon Rebel xs to my flashes. Here is my question: I want to start with a super cheap flash for learning purposes. I can get a Vivitar 283 for cheap on ebay, but how do I out it all together. I'm not familiar with the "anatomy" of the Vivitar 283. If I use the hotshoe connection between the flash and receiver, how would I mount it to my light stand?

You screw the threaded stud from the lightstand swivel bracket/umbrella adapter into the bottom of the hot shoe adapter.

Originally Posted by Drea K

Other option would be to mount the flash to the lightstand and use a pc sync cord to connect flash to receiver, but does the Vivitar 283 have a pc connection port?

No, the 283 uses a proprietary Vivitar connection. FlashZebra should have the right cord to connect the V4 to the Vivitar.

[inkista]

One thing to be careful if with an old 283 is that its sync voltage is very high. Some say even as high as 300V. Most modern dSLRs can only take ±250V across the hotshoe (and some of the very early dSLRS can only take 6V).

So, be careful not to use it on a hotshoe without something like a safesync. The V4s can take the voltage of the 283s, though.

[JACOBY]

So if I understand this correct I could use my old 285 or 283 with the v4-s and not need the safe sync from wein Thank You