<p>I am getting back into wedding photography. It has been several years, but I used those Vivitar 285, 283 remotely using the Pocket Wizard. You have to make the connection your self by cutting the cord that came with the flash and connecting them to a standard 1/8 inch plug you get anywhere. That is the same plug that you use for a standard headphone, which is the same plug that the Pocket Wizard takes.It is a pain to do, since the wires in the chord from the flash is really small, but you do it once and that is it. The 1/8th inch plug you get anywhere like Radio Shack or Fry's Computer. You can even use the chord from the headphones if you have an extra one.<br>
The 285 is really great because it has a built in variable power adjustment. I mount the flash on an umbrella holder and bouncing the flash off the umbrella. You can't use auto this way, since the sensor will face the umbrella. They have remote chords for the sensor, but probably hard to find. The flash have plenty of power even using the umbrella. Since my application are for fill flash, the minimum setting 1/16th power is what I use, pretty close to the subject, feathering the umbrella for soft transition fill. I use a Sekonic light meter to meter the balance of ambient to flash ration. It is perfect since it will trigger the Pocket Wizard as well.<br>
Old Vivitar 285s
in Lighting Equipment
Posted
<p>I am getting back into wedding photography. It has been several years, but I used those Vivitar 285, 283 remotely using the Pocket Wizard. You have to make the connection your self by cutting the cord that came with the flash and connecting them to a standard 1/8 inch plug you get anywhere. That is the same plug that you use for a standard headphone, which is the same plug that the Pocket Wizard takes.It is a pain to do, since the wires in the chord from the flash is really small, but you do it once and that is it. The 1/8th inch plug you get anywhere like Radio Shack or Fry's Computer. You can even use the chord from the headphones if you have an extra one.<br>
The 285 is really great because it has a built in variable power adjustment. I mount the flash on an umbrella holder and bouncing the flash off the umbrella. You can't use auto this way, since the sensor will face the umbrella. They have remote chords for the sensor, but probably hard to find. The flash have plenty of power even using the umbrella. Since my application are for fill flash, the minimum setting 1/16th power is what I use, pretty close to the subject, feathering the umbrella for soft transition fill. I use a Sekonic light meter to meter the balance of ambient to flash ration. It is perfect since it will trigger the Pocket Wizard as well.<br>
Please check out my <a href="http://www.weddingphotos4me.com">blog</a>. I am still developing it but plan on putting some info on this portable lighting stuff.</p>