clayk59 Posted May 3, 2012 Share #1 Posted May 3, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am a ne M9 owner and this is my first post. My searches did not give a definitive answer. I want to use a Vivitar 283 on the M9 hot shoe. Is this possible or do I need some sort of adapter. I used these flashes in the way back past and love them. Any help is appreciated. Clay Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 3, 2012 Posted May 3, 2012 Hi clayk59, Take a look here Vivitar 283 on M9. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted May 3, 2012 Share #2 Posted May 3, 2012 Clay, First of all - welcome to the Forum! Digital cameras may be sensitive to high flash trigger voltages - I am not sure what the limit of the M9 may be. Maybe other members will know. Here is an excellent site, which lists trigger voltages of just about any flash ever manufactured: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages Once you know what the limit of the M9 is, you can determine whether the 283 can be used. The 283 is a classic - as you probably know you will not be able to take advantage of your M9's TTL capabilites; you will have to shoot the way we did before TTL..... But - if you used the 283 before, it will not be any different on the M9. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 3, 2012 Share #3 Posted May 3, 2012 (edited) The M9 FAQ... http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/130720-m9-faqs-frequently-asked-questions-answers.html#post1536447 Edited May 3, 2012 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted May 3, 2012 Share #4 Posted May 3, 2012 Be sure to measure the 283's trigger voltage. Older models can have a much higher voltage than later models. My 283's trigger voltage is about 5 V but older ones can be much higher. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayk59 Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted May 3, 2012 (edited) Thanks. The FAQ says it can take up to 600V and the website indicates that 600v is the max so I assume I am OK. Mine was manufactured in China and, according to the same site, should have a much lower voltage. I tried one just now and the camera does not fire the flash. Shutter speed is 1/60th. Maybe I am missing a setting... Clay Edited May 3, 2012 by clayk59 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 3, 2012 Share #6 Posted May 3, 2012 Maybe the flash does not line up with the contact in the shoe. Some flashes have to be modified by making a slot for the screw and filing off one corner of the shoe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olsen Posted May 3, 2012 Share #7 Posted May 3, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Don't worry for a minute about using your excellent Vivitar 283 on your Leica M9. I do it all the time. I have two 283 and use them regularly with my M9. You don't need any voltage 'protection device' (Some might sell you something you don't need). All that is already built into modern cameras today. Have been so for the last 25 years. Go ahead use the 283 with your M9. It works flawlessly. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted May 4, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 4, 2012 This site: Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages indicates that the 283 may put out as much at 600 volts. According to the posting above, Leica has said they can hancle 600 volts. I believe I will continue to use my HSHS adapter for these flases, however. I am way too chicken to fry my M9 or M8. Using the adapter doesn't take away any of the 283's unsophistocated capabilites. Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted May 4, 2012 Share #9 Posted May 4, 2012 ... I tried one just now and the camera does not fire the flash. Shutter speed is 1/60th. Maybe I am missing a setting...Clay I find with my M9 that the flash does not fire if I push the shutter release too quickly. If I gently find the half-way point and then actuate the rest of the shutter button movement, the flash fires. I am usually embarassed (and a little pissed off) in front of my clients when the flash doesn't fire the first time.... Regards, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayk59 Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted May 4, 2012 Thanks for all the help. Turns out the flash is broken. Fires with the dump button but not from hot shoe or sync cord Clay Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted May 10, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 10, 2012 Clay, I can recommend a Metz to replace it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bherman01545 Posted June 29, 2012 Share #12 Posted June 29, 2012 The older Vivitar 283's (the ones made in Japan) hive an ultra-high flash trigger voltage upwards of 200 volts. (I know because I measured it). The newer Vivitar 283s that were/are made in China, 'typically' have a flash trigger voltage around 5 volts. If you're unsure, best to either measure it with a voltmeter, or use a Wein SafeSync. My favorite flash for the Leica Ms is a Metz 34 CS-2 Digital, but it is no longer made. It is small (a bit smaller than the SF20 or SF24), has three automatic F/Stops and an optical slave. and best of all, it's safe for digital. You can buy new or mint ones on EBay for less than $100.00. They used to sell for around $300.00. Brad Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted June 29, 2012 Share #13 Posted June 29, 2012 A wire came loose on 283 leading to the hotshoe a quick soldering - fixed. Still OK after 10 yrs Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 30, 2012 Share #14 Posted June 30, 2012 Buy a Wein Safe Sync and plug any and all flashes into it for safety with sensitive digital cameras. My 285 and Norman studio flashes go into it for M8 and digital Nikons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olsen Posted July 10, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 10, 2012 The older Vivitar 283's (the ones made in Japan) hive an ultra-high flash trigger voltage upwards of 200 volts. (I know because I measured it). The newer Vivitar 283s that were/are made in China, 'typically' have a flash trigger voltage around 5 volts. If you're unsure, best to either measure it with a voltmeter, or use a Wein SafeSync. My favorite flash for the Leica Ms is a Metz 34 CS-2 Digital, but it is no longer made. It is small (a bit smaller than the SF20 or SF24), has three automatic F/Stops and an optical slave. and best of all, it's safe for digital. You can buy new or mint ones on EBay for less than $100.00. They used to sell for around $300.00. Brad Brad and Bill, Like all 'modern' cameras of today M9 (M8, M7, MP, M6TTL and M6 - at least) have a safety circuit built in to protect them against high voltage flashes. Some argue against this, but with the intention of making a business of selling you something you don't need. Go ahead and use your excellent Vivitar 283 flash mounted directly on your camera - and feel safe, without any hesitation! I do it all the time! These 30 years old Vivitar 283 works flawlessly with M9 (and M8, M7 and MP - I know for sure!). - Don't worry, be happy! All to few use flash with their Leica cameras. Which is a shame. The sharp and contrast rich Leica optics do really come to it's right when used with flashes. I use one 283 mounted on the camera (often reflected in the ceiling) and another 283 with a 'slave' with an angle facing the camera (but without the actual flash light in the frame) . This creates an almost 3D effect. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 10, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 10, 2012 From the M9 FAQ thread: Question: I want to use an old flash, but I am afraid that the trigger voltage may damage my camera. What is the maximum for a digital M ? Answer: This is the official position by leica: The M9 is capable of triggering flash devices using high voltage.It is possible to use flash devices with a voltage up to 600 Volts. But it is important that the positive terminal is on the middle contact of the hot shoe and the ground terminal is on the mounting bar. Mit freundlichen Gruessen / kind regards Stefan Staudt Leica Camera AG Informationsservice Software Support Gewerbepark 8 / D-35606 Solms / Germany 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 10, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 10, 2012 Pardon if this is a boneheadded question, but if a flash has a "trigger voltage" of x volts, doesn't that mean it requires x volts to trigger it? In which case if the camera in question is not able to supply x volts across the contacts, wouldn't the flash just not fire? Why would there be any risk to the camera? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 10, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 10, 2012 No - the sync contact closes the circuit that carries the stated voltage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted July 10, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 10, 2012 The older flashes dumped the entire capacitor through the camera. In the days of all-mechanical cameras, the only problem was getting a shock if you put the flash on the hot shoe and put your finger on the PC contact of the camera. With the move to electronic cameras in the 80s, most companies redesigned the trigger circuits. I bought my Vivitar 283 for an Elvis Presley concert. It's the flash that Elvis saw as he was on stage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted July 11, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 11, 2012 Then it's teue? Elvis was in the house? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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