Canon FD/Vivitar 283 compatability

[wmichaelb]

Folks: I got a lucky break not long ago, and picked up a Vivitar 283 flash for $3 at a flea market. I then found a PC cord for it, and it seems to work well on my original F-1 when triggered off the PC cord. I also checked the output voltage between the tip and shield of the PC cord when it's charged up, and it'a around a volt. I understand this to be low enough not to damage my AE1-P, which I'd also like to use it with. My question is this: there's a single metal contact on the shoe, which is otherwise all plastic. How does this flash work with a hot shoe like the ones on the A-series? All my circuits classes taught me that it takes two connections to make a circuit!

 

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Thanks!

[duane_kucheran]

If you look closely at the foot you will also see a contact above the

ankle, as it were. This touches the side of the hot shoe and

completes the circuit.

 

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Cheers,

[alan_swartz]

Hi Michael,

Duane is right about the second sync contact. It's in the slot

between the shoe "sole" and the flash body. I thought I'd add that

we've been using an old 283 (circa 1976) with our AE-1P since 1984

without problem.

[wmichaelb]

Thanks, folks! I took a closer look and found what seems to be a

spring contact in a slot just above the foot. I assume this to be my

missing contact.

 

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As a result of this closer inspection, I also found that the foot had

cracked and been glued back together, something I understand is a

common occurrence with 283's. Has anyone tried one of the aluminum

aftermarket replacement feet?

 

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Thanks again!