Accessories for Vivitar 285HV

[Tony Printezis]

Hi guys,


I'm currently planning to get two 285s. Are there any good diffusers for them? The sto-fen one is not getting good reviews, given that it's quite small and it fits inside the head, not outside. So it's not as stable. Also, are there any good pouches designed for the 285?


Thanks in advance, as always,


Tony

[Chuck Lee]

Tony,
No, they come with diffusers. The Vivitar 285 has a very large head. Unlike most modern flash heads. It's a little different and doesn't easily accept the accessories made for the SB-900s and 380-EXs of our time.

[Tony Printezis]

No, they come with diffusers

Ah, is that the wide angle diffusers? Does it work similarly to the sto-fen ones? I use the sto-fen one on my 580EX II and I like the results.


Tony

[Sean Setters]

Use a white umbrella as a diffuser. The results will be superior.

[Tony Printezis]

Use a white umbrella as a diffuser.

Sean, of course. But I can't carry umbrellas with me everywhere...


Tony

[Sean Setters]

Sean, of course. But I can't carry umbrellas with me everywhere...


Tony

I do! :-)


But, if you insist, you can try this product I found on Ebay. It's very similar to the Omnibounce, but designed specifically for the 285HV. For $13 and no charge for shipping, you might want to try it out.

[Tony Printezis]

I do! :-)

I bet you do. :-)

But, if you insist, you can try this product I found on Ebay. It's very similar to the Omnibounce, but designed specifically for the 285HV. For $13 and no charge for shipping, you might want to try it out.

Thanks for the pointer.


BTW, I know you have the Vivitar. For similar price-performance, is there any other flash I should consider?


Tony

[Sean Setters]

BTW, I know you have the Vivitar. For similar price-performance, is there any other flash I should consider?


Tony

That depends on whether you're buying the Vivitar used or new. If you're buying the Vivitar 285HV used (for somewhere around $50), then the only other flash I can think of that you can buy for that kind of money is the Yongnuo YN-460 & YN-462. They aren't as powerful as the 285HV, and aren't quite as rugged, but they should work (and the YN-460 has a built-in optical slave). If you're buying the Vivitar 285HV new, then you can buy a used Nikon SB-24 off of ebay. The SB-24 is more powerful than the 285HV, and probably better built. You should be able to pick up a used SB-24 for right around $100.

[Tony Printezis]

That depends on whether you're buying the Vivitar used or new.

I generally tend to buy new stuff (especially given the price of the 285HV!!!). OK, I think I'll stick to the Vivitar. Thanks.


Tony