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Which Vivitar flash accepts their 2500 dedicated adapter series (DA/ )?


Brian Carter

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You are correct re the purchase of a box of accessories, but that's it.

Let me help you ;-)

The Vivitar dedicated modules are part of the body of a particular line of flash units. They each contain the necessary hot shoe contacts for a particular camera line, and they also include the auto control sensor. Instead of receiving a hot shoe, they clip onto the bottom of a flash head. The larger connection area allowed for multiple contact points, allowing more information and functions.

 

The Vivitar DM/ modules (DM/O, P, N, M, C..) are used with their 3000 & 4000 series flashes (not all of them). The PM/ series is used with their 5000 series flashes.

Having never seen the DA/ modules before, I spent the usual 15 mins on Google before I asked questions.

The result was 2 references to using them with the '2500 series' flashes.

I don't know what that is, seeing as how the 2500 flash (my first picture), doesn't even take modules.

 

So...Still a mystery to me... but a touch more complex than first impressions might imply.

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I have seen Vivitar flashes that take such add-on modules. Unfortunately I can't remember the model number(s).

 

There was a similar system sold under the Hanimex brand as well. They were both forerunners of the standardised SCA-300 adapter system, and not very popular or successful.

 

What I'm wondering is; how is knowing more about them going to help you in any way?

 

The demand for old film TTL flash systems is almost non-existent these days, and especially for junk-bin priced non-marque items like those low-powered Vivitars.

 

FWIW, I recently had need of a hotshoe foot for a project, and ended up cannibalising a Vivitar hotshoe similar to the ones you've shown. That's about the only use I can think of for them.

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You are correct re the purchase of a box of accessories, but that's it.

Let me help you ;-)

The Vivitar dedicated modules are part of the body of a particular line of flash units. They each contain the necessary hot shoe contacts for a particular camera line, and they also include the auto control sensor. Instead of receiving a hot shoe, they clip onto the bottom of a flash head. The larger connection area allowed for multiple contact points, allowing more information and functions.

 

The Vivitar DM/ modules (DM/O, P, N, M, C..) are used with their 3000 & 4000 series flashes (not all of them). The PM/ series is used with their 5000 series flashes.

Having never seen the DA/ modules before, I spent the usual 15 mins on Google before I asked questions.

The result was 2 references to using them with the '2500 series' flashes.

I don't know what that is, seeing as how the 2500 flash (my first picture), doesn't even take modules.

 

So...Still a mystery to me... but a touch more complex than first impressions might imply.

As unlikely as it sounds, these do seem to be dedicated adapters for the non-dedicated Vivitar 2500 flash.

 

Each adapter slides onto the flash unit's shoe from the front, with the circuit board connector fitting into the AC adapter slot. In addition to the Minolta, Pentax and Olympus adapters you have, there were also DA/C (Canon) and DA/N (Nikon) versions. They seem to offer many dedicated features including TTL on some cameras, and as you have the 2500 flash perhaps you can test them for yourself? Does the instruction leaflet for the adapter give any more helpful information? In the meantime you can enjoy the announcement in Popular Photography (October 1981) and the Dedicated Flash Guide (March 1982), which includes these adapters.

 

This is fascinating stuff – I thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about Vivitar dedicated modules, but these adapters came as a complete surprise!

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Dave, HCL

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Hmm. I was certain that I had written a reply, telling you that you were spot-on, Dave.

And my first premise is wrong, they are for the 2500 after all.

I missed the relationship between the thin slot above the SB-4 socket at the base of the 2500,

and the circuit 'plug' that extends into the receiving area on the module.

Together, it's quite a different look - and it puts variable auto exposure controls on the front of the flash,

so you can make easy ratio adjustments from the subject side.

All this time - right under my nose. Thank you. My question is fully answered.

 

Ha! You know, I am just now realizing that you are the buyer of these, Dave!

Thanks for your help. I'm surprised at how little information is available with a specific search online.

 

I think they might qualify as a real curiosity - a curio? - better than that, at the least.

I wonder how many were made? No matter - Time to move on, it's your hobby now.

/Cheers

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