P3D Re: Flash Vivitar 283 & 285

["David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Does anyone have any experience with modifying the foot of either
> of these (the original plastic foot) for use with a Realist? Has
> it caused any problems such as weakening it so that it cracks? If
> it cracked did you repair it with glue or replace it? If
> replaced, did you use a metal replacement (can you still use hot
> shoe) or a Vivitar plastic replacement or a 3rd party
> manufactured unit?

I have used a 283 extensively in my cave photography (both 2D and 
3D). It is a great flash and one of the highest guide numbers 
available without going to a potato masher (much too bulky for 
crawling through caves). However the foot really sucks. The flash is 
much too heavy for the puny little plastic foot. I can almost 
guarantee that if you place it on your Realist it will break.

You won't need to modify the flash for it to work with the Realist, 
just don't slide it all the way to the front of the stop. The contact 
point on the Realist is toward the back and pushing the flash all the 
way forward causes it to miss contact. Needless to say this also 
increases the risk of breaking the foot. You do have to remove (file 
down) the bump on the Realist or use one of the adapters.

One option is to repalce the foot with a machined aluminum one. Be 
aware that you will have to solder wires with this. I haven't had a 
chance to see or use one of these yet, but I would assume that since 
you are soldering wires, the hot shoe should still work.

My option (the foot on mine broke less than a week after I had it) 
was to leave it broken and just use a PC cord and hand hold the 
flash. If you though it was hard to use a Realist with both hands, 
try it with only one while standing over a 50 foot pit in total 
darkness with a freezing waterfall rushing by your head *{;-)

Anyway, B&H photo sells the 283 for $64.96, the 285HV for $81.95, the 
plain metal shoe for $37.95, metal shoe with test button for $44.95, 
and metal show with built in Wein slave for $44.95. This last option 
should be very appealing for those who need a secondary or fill 
flash. They also sell the VP-1 Vari-Power adapter for the 283 for 
$26.95.

Hope this helps,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx


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