Vivitar 283 help Hi all, I've just got a used 283 flash, and for the life of me I cannot rotate the flash head up or down. I have the PDF manual - but it doesn't say anything about it, any switches or something I missed? Vivitar 283 help Hi all, I've just got a used 283 flash, and for the life of me I cannot rotate the flash head up or down. I have the PDF manual - but it doesn't say anything about it, any... » Read More Vivitar 283 help Hi all, I've just got a used 283 flash, and for the life of me I cannot rotate the flash head up or down. I have the PDF manual - but it doesn't say anything about it, any switches or something I missed? « Show Less
184699
Thanks for your post - I just tried it now and it works! I had always thought it would break if I force it up because it seemed to be really stuck. But since you described how to do it I was more confident, and it now works! thanks again
184700
I've had a 283 for well over 25 years now. It still takes a licking & keeps on flashing.As far as rotating the flash head is concerned, you should be able to simply grasp the (top) horizontal section of the unit, while holding the bottom section (vertical) & elevate it. The 283 has an indicator that shows you the angle percent right on the joint where it pivots. There's no release button or latch, you just bend it up & it clicks into the various degrees/angles.This flash is very well built and mine still works like it just came out of the box.Hope this helped you. I've had a 283 for well over 25 years now. It still takes a licking & keeps on flashing.As far as rotating the flash head is concerned, you should be able to simply grasp the (top) horizontal section of the unit, while holding the bottom section (vertical) & elevate it. The 283 has an indicator that shows you the angle percent right on the joint where it pivots. There's no release button or latch, you just bend it up & it clicks into the various degrees/angles.This flash is very well built and mine still works like it just came out of the box.Hope this... » Read More I've had a 283 for well over 25 years now. It still takes a licking & keeps on flashing.As far as rotating the flash head is concerned, you should be able to simply grasp the (top) horizontal section of the unit, while holding the bottom section (vertical) & elevate it. The 283 has an indicator that shows you the angle percent right on the joint where it pivots. There's no release button or latch, you just bend it up & it clicks into the various degrees/angles.This flash is very well built and mine still works like it just came out of the box.Hope this helped you. « Show Less
499056
I use a D3200 and it does/did not work in TTL mode. I wrote to Vivitar and got emails of mumbo jumbo they did not understand the glitch at all!! Also a Sunpak PZ40x flash. Now the cord would work in the manual mode so the wires were OK but still does not support iTTL of Nikon.I have order a different cord elsewhere and am waiting for it arrive.
70971
Vivitar 285 HV, on the yellow setting. No thinking required, the flash will read the amount of light needed and give perfect results. Use P or A modes for the widest variety of situations.
1460189
Sorry, can't help you with your problem, I bought this 9X TrustFire, but the seller sent me a different brand (CrazyFire) and it was bad from the start, there were only 3 modes instead of 5, hi-med-low and then it switched off when it tried to go to the next mode which I think it's S.O.S. I returned the flashlight.
1183917
I sent the flash back because I was extremely dissapointed how long it took to refire again. The company I bought it from gave me a hard time and wanted to charge me a restocking fee. I fought with Amazon and the company and they returned my money. I have learned that if you really want a good flash to work with a Nikon, buy a Nikon flash which I did. I hope you found this helpful.
1400436
HI I bought 2 sets and have the same problem. There is a button on the back you can push to change the setting, but I think there are a million settings to go through. I seemed to push the correct number of times for one set and it is on without flashing so I know it works, but the other one I never go to work and I heva tried everything. Good luck.
1137809
As I said before, I don't own a 2800 flash unit; it works perfectly with my VIVITAR 285 HV.
761753
First, you have to press the flash release button to open the flash(refer to the manual for location{ looking at the back of the camera, it's to the left of the flash cover, on the top of the camera} ). You also have to set the flash mode; always, automatic,etc.Several times I've been frustrated only to find out that the flash wasn't open and ready.Good luck.
192570
Thanks for all the replies. Don't understand it, but my 900 will not go in under normal hand pressure, and I'm afraid to force any harder. I wouldn't worry about cracking the stand, but I sure don't want to break the flash base! Will play this weekend and if I can't make it work, looks like the AS-21 for me!
589181
Yes, your flash will work on top, but it will not work in TTL mode. You will have to run it in manual. Which for my purposes is all I need. Hope this helps!
926307
Make sure your flash is set to ettl, thats the way you can make changes.to the flash, even for manual flash.
1817601
This happened to me too and I never got Vivitar to return my email. I returned it back to Amazon for a refund.
1879554
there is a little button on top next to the flash , it looks like a little > but the point is up right. u click it over and the flash should work if not then u have a problem. I have had mine camera for more then 8 years, never had a problem with it ., best camera I ever bought. Good luck
803819
I've never had a problem with my flash before they enlarged the cutout. If they have made the cutout larger, it must have corrected some issue someone thought they were experiencing. I guess that means 'yes'. :-)
1137810
I've already answered something like this not long ago. I don't own a MINOLTA 2800. It works perfectly with my VIVITAR 285 HV. By the way, is it easy to find a sinch cable for this flash? Please inform me.
1854853
There are no written instructions with it.I called Leica USA and told them the instructional cd would not play and they said they would send me a new one.That was a month ago and I have heard or received nothing.One of the retailers on there locator emailed me the manual and I have figured out some of the functions myself.But the parent company has pretty lousy service.The girl on the phone new absolutely nothing. hunter4473@att.net
654966
I have a K-5 and a Vivitar DF-383 flash. When placing the flash on the camera shoe and turning on the battery power the flash pulses. The ttl feature is useless. I must shoot in manual mode to utilize the flash. Yours may not suffer from this problem. For you sake, I hope not.