Goombah6 Posted December 4, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 4, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just noticed a thread below, and am now wondering if anyone can help me out. I have had my M8 for almost a year, and have not used much flash. However, when I have used flash, I have relied on an old Vivitar 285. I haven't had any problems with this, but am wondering if there is something I am totally unaware of in terms of flash synch voltage that could harm my camera? Your comments appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 4, 2009 Posted December 4, 2009 Hi Goombah6, Take a look here Question about Flash synch voltage??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Nicoleica Posted December 4, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 4, 2009 Hi. From what I can discover, there is quite a variation in Vivitar 285 trigger voltages, all depending upon when and where the particular model was made. As you have been using yours on your M8 for some time, and your camera has not suffered, I would think that your 285 is probably OK. If in doubt though, put a 'Safe-Sync' or equivalent between the two. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted December 4, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 4, 2009 The M8 has a industrial size thyristor or similar semiconductor to trigger the flash (see Mark Norton's anatomy of M8 thread). I cannot recall anyone reporting problems with flash voltage. See here for a comprehensive table. My flashes (rarely used admittedly) have 6.7 V, 5.5 V and 252 V respectively. All work fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goombah6 Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted December 5, 2009 Thank you for the information and for responding. I'll keep using my vivitar flash, but with some caution. ---Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 5, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 5, 2009 350 volts is too high. I would not use this flash on any digital camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goombah6 Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted December 6, 2009 OK I'm still a bit confused here. First of all, I went to the link that Stephen posted, and could not find any reference specifically to the Vivitar 285 (kind of figured that meant that maybe it was OK). That being said, I see the latest post indicating that the 285 fires at 350 volts. I still don't understand what this means for my camera. Is it "too demanding" on the camera to fire a flash beyond a certain voltage? Is there something like a power surge that occurs within the camera? I need to understand exactly what the issue is, and would sure appreciate an explanation if anyone has the wisdom for this. ---Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted December 6, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Dave, I did a little research on this, and it seems that Vivitar 285 voltages can vary a great deal depending upon where and when they were made. Apparently, those made in China, and other more recent versions have 'safe' voltages, but I would suggest checking it anyway. The problem with modern cameras is that, in earlier days the flash sync switch in the camera was a simple mechanical electrical switch, and high voltages weren't a problem. (Within reason obviously!) But most modern cameras use electronic circuitry to trigger the flash, and they tend to get rather upset (In other words, they tend to fry!) if the voltage is too high. The M8 has a pretty hefty circuit here, and so is more tolerant than some, but it's still not a good idea to risk using older flash units unless you are happy that they are safe. Using a 'SafeSync' or equivalent is probably the best idea if you are uncertain. This chart shows voltages for many flashes, although again, samples may vary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 6, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 6, 2009 ...I went to the link that Stephen posted, and could not find any reference specifically to the Vivitar 285... According to Kevin Bjorke's Strobe Trigger Voltages : The 285 has a voltage of 350VWay too high in my book. Digital cameras are not made for more than 24 volts AFAIK. I'm no techie at all but i would not take such a risk with a Leica, or any other camera. I much prefer French fries to fried cameras but it's a matter of tastes. See PC World advice here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goombah6 Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted December 6, 2009 Thanks for all of the additional information. Makes more sense to me now, and I definitely won't be using the vivitar on my M8. ---Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnalex141r Posted December 6, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 6, 2009 Well, I measured my 3 vivitar 285 HV flashes, and they were all great - it was a couple of years ago, and I forget the exact voltages; you can probably go through the archives here and find out. The 285, non-HV version, and other flashes of that vintage might be suspect on "lesser" cameras. I have absolutely no worries about using my vivitar 285 HV flashes. - Leica have certainly done well with the M8 and the flash circuitry as others have stated. JohnS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted December 6, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 6, 2009 The table of voltages posted above indicate that a Vivitar 285 is probably safe and moreover based on your first post I understand you have already used it on your M8 (which apparently is still working). I can't recall anyone frying a M8 with a old flash. Guessing the average population that uses Leica Ms (old and decrepit like me) the probability of somone trying a high voltage flash should be well above average. So in conclusion the M8 is bomb proof - at least concerning what flash to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 6, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 6, 2009 The table of voltages posted above indicate that a Vivitar 285 is probably safe... 350 volts safe? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted December 7, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 7, 2009 The info in the table reads: 7.45-7.8V, according to "Bob from MediaPlus.com," Mike Dubbs, and "Steven at bellatlantic.net."Peter Savage checked his 285 and 285HV units, and read only 6V. Mike Flaherty measured around 8.5V on his 15-year-old 285, and feels safe using it on his EOS D30. Older units may rate higher. One correspondent had three units ranging from 8.3V to 33V... Alan Latafat Correa checked with Vivitar and they clarified: The 285HV has a voltage of 12V. The 285 has a voltage of 350V. Hope this helps you. (Thanks Alan!) So it depends on the age/model. Why not just measure the synch voltage with a multimeter? That is what I did. EDIT: also worth pointing out that when the flash transistor is fired the voltage of the flash is shorted to zero (ground), which triggers the Xenon-tube start electrode - so the only issue is whether the flash transistor can stand the 350V bias at zero current. Considering the size of the thing I would expect that it will. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted December 7, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 7, 2009 Quote from a Canon 1DS instruction manual: "do not connect to the camera's PC terminal any flash unit requiring 250V or more. Do not attach a high voltage flash on the hot shoe." This is about a camera used for professional studio work as ell as location photography with flash. I'd happily assume that Leica M digitals would at best have similar flash voltage requirements and as a result I personally would not use any flash unit which might exceed 250V. If you have a very good reason for risking using a flash with a potential voltage of greater than 250V of course...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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