Flash Recommendation for Vintage Film Cameras

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CliveC

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Hi guys, while I shoot digital for work, the flash I use is far too unwieldy for my film cameras. It outweighs and is larger than most of my cameras, be it rangefinder or SLR.

Is there a popular choice for 1960s/1970s era cameras? Something that is readily available on the used market these days that will still be functional? It will mainly be used as a fill flash, but adjustable power would be nice.
 
I use a Sunpak 383. While not tiny, it is reasonably small, has variable power and a tilt and swivel head. It was discontinued not so long ago, so you should be able to find a recent unit.
 
They ain't small but Vivitar 283/285. The 285 has the variable power feature, the 283 doesn't but it can be added. It's also a bit smaller than the 285.
 
Some of the Nikons are good units and can be used in auto (non-ttl) modes (i.e. they have a light sensor on the flash like the old vivitar 283) or manual modes. Sites like strobist pushed up the prices of old (good) flashes but you can still find some around cheap if you are lucky, things like the SB24. The SB800 is fantastic but more cash. Best bits are the preview button to light it up, fairly small size and 1/1 to 1/128 power selection(older ones are only to 1/64). You can even mod them to take a 3.5mm jack! They are a better flash for non-ttl than the later sb900 imo.
The old vivitar 283 is a great flash (I have one sitting in a drawer) but be warned that the varipower module for it is hard to come by these days, I have had mine for a long time and bought the module when you still could. There are details on the web of how to fabricate an equivalent module if your ok with a soldering iron. The only issue with the 283 is its colour tends to be a bit warm if you are mixing it with other flashes.
One more thing, if your buying a vivitar, I would make sure it either comes with a sync lead or you find a source for one. They have a strange connector and I have no idea if the leads are still available?!
 
I'm not a big flash person, but a Pocket wizard and clones suit the old ones. Works well on the 4x5, too. Ansco Speedex (Isolette) & wireless 285 (trip during 'bulb' of the digital camera):
July+2010+017.jpg


- Charlie
 
The Pocket Wizards mentioned above work great but have some cost - if you want a cheaper entry point, the Cowboy Studio triggers are surprisingly reliable for their price ($25 or so). If your old camera doesn't talk to the flash or read the flash output at all, might as well put the flash off camera somewhere and fire it with a wireless trigger.

I shoot the Cowboy Studio triggers with a Vivitar 285 flash.

And I think you must have adjustable power or you'll be frustrated. :)
 
I'm going to suggest something a bit unconventional, that being Lomography's Fritz the Blitz flash. It's small, lightweight, has a very retro style that might work well with your older camera, comes with its own mounting bracket and PC sync cable (and a hotshot adapter), is safe to work with almost any camera due to its low-voltage contacts, is powered by a CR123 lithium battery and has a 1/16 power setting, giving really fast refresh times, fast enough that you could wind-and-shoot an entire roll and the flash would not miss a beat.

It's only downside (other than the Lomography name) is that it does not work on modern digital cameras with solid state transistor switches for their flash connector, but for some reason needs a camera with mechanical switch contacts, which most all classic cameras have.

~Joe
 
Hi,

I guess you want something with a 3mm coaxial plug on it as well as a plain (undedicated) hot-shoe contact?

The Vivitar 2500 fits the bill and has variable power and was very popular, so there's still plenty of them about.

Regards, David
 
mackigator said:
The Pocket Wizards mentioned above work great but have some cost - if you want a cheaper entry point, the Cowboy Studio triggers are surprisingly reliable for their price ($25 or so). If your old camera doesn't talk to the flash or read the flash output at all, might as well put the flash off camera somewhere and fire it with a wireless trigger.

I shoot the Cowboy Studio triggers with a Vivitar 285 flash.

And I think you must have adjustable power or you'll be frustrated. :)
Click to expand...

I have a set of Yongnuo RF603 triggers and while they work great on the hotshoe, you can't hook up a sync cable to trigger a flash that way. Also, I believe older flashes that produce pins more than 12V will fry them.
 
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