Vivitar.
automatic
electronic flash
Model
283
Owner's Manual
Gebrauchsanlellung
Manuel du propnelaire
Manual del
prop
iel8r1o
----------<
~
CONGRATULATIONS
...
AND WELCOME
/0
the ever-
increasing
number
of
photographers
now
e
njoying
Vivi/Sf
e
lectronic
lIash. This
Owner's
Manual is a
handy
reference
guide and we
suggest
you ref
er
to
II
w
henever
quest
ions
arise on the use
and
care
of
your flash.
Y
our
new
Model
283
flash umt
is
the
heart
of an
ext
ensive
system
01
unique
and
sophist
icated
accessories
that
allow
you
10
exercise
your
crea
/
ivily
/0
ils
f
ullest
potential.
As
YOUf
experience
with electronic lIash expands,
look
/0
Vivilar
for
qua/iry
products
Ihal
help
you
take
pictures
w
ith
I
hat
"pro
fessional touch."
We thank
you
f
or
selecting t
his
produc
t
and
hope
t
hat
the
ve
rsaf
ility
ol
lhe
enti
re Vivilar 283
Flash
System
brings
you
many years of
picture-la
king
enioymenl
Description of Controls
O iliuminated Calculator Dial
.S
en
so
r Sockel
f)B
ounce Angle Scale
o
Su
fficient Light Indicator
• Calculator Dial
Ught
B
u110
n
OB
attery Compartment Cover
•
Sh
u
tt
er
Cord Socket
Q AC Adapter Receptacle
eO
n-Off Switch
GReady Ug
hl/Open
Flash Bu
tt
on
• MounHng
FOOl
L
ock
Lever
• Mounting Foot
.A
lkaline
Ba
tt
ery Holder
• Remote Sensor Cord
and Sensor Holde
r'
.Removable Sensor
o Mode Selector
CD
Sensor Holder Shutter
Cord Socket
Gi) Oetachable Shutter
Cord
the equipment may overheat. Care shoutd
be taken to arrange the cord so that it will
not be tripped over
or
pulle
~.
7. Always unplug
equipment
from electrical
outlet when not in use. Never yank cord to
pull plug from outlet. Grasp plug and pull to
disconnec
t.
8. Let
equipment
coo
l
comp
letely before
putting
away
. L
oop
cord loosely around
equipment when storing.
9.
To
protect
aga
inst electrical shock
hazards,
do
not immerse this equipment
in
water or other li
quid
s.
10.
To
avoid electric
shock
hazard,
do
not
disassemble t
hi
s equipment,
but
take it to a
qualifi
ed
servi
ce
man when some
se
rv
i
ce
or repair work is required.
In
correct
reassembly can cause electric shock
hazard when the equipment is used
subsequently.
SAVE
THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
IMPOR
TANT
S
AFEGUARDS
When using
your
photographic equipment,
basic safety precautions should always be
followed,
including
the following:
1.
R
~
ad
and understand all instruction
s.
2.
Close supervision is necessary when
any
equipment
is used
by
or near children.
Do not leave
equipme
nt unattended while
in
use.
3.
Care must
be
taken as burns can
occur
from touching hot parts.
4.
Do not operate equipment with a
damaged
cord or if the equipment has
been
dropped
or
damaged
-unlll
it
has
been examined
by
a qualified serviceman.
5.
Do not let cord hang over
edge
of table
or counter or touch hot surfaces.
6. If an extension cord
is
necessary, a cord
with a suitable current rating should be
used. Cords rated for less
amperage
than
-
Tabte
of
Con
te
nts
2-3
Sho
rt
Course ol lnslruClions
4-5
Bal1ery Operation
Battery Savi
ng
Circuit
When to Change the Batteries
5-7 Automatic Operation
The Sensor
The Mode Selector
Thyristor Circuit
\
The Sufficient
light
Indicator
7-8 The Illuminated Cal
cu
lator Dial
8-9
Forming The Capacitor
9
·10
A11aching
Your Flash to the Camera
10
-
16
Shooting Automatically
On-Camera Direct Flash
On-Camera Automatic Bounce Flash
Oil-Camera Direct and Otf-Camera Bounce Flash
The Bounce Compensator Circuit
16-19 Shooting Manually
Direct Flash
Manual Bounce Flash
19
Cameras With Built-in Automatic Flash Control
20 AfterYou've Finished Shooting
Removing the Flash
Batteries
20
-
23
Helpful Hints
Off-Camera Direct Lighting
Bounce
light
ing
Using the Sufficient Light
In
dicator
Mirrors
Simulating Sunlight
Open Flash
Synchronization Speed
Group Shots
Fl
ash Fill
24 -
25
Model 283 Specifications
Short Course of Instructions
1
Set the flash head tilt
at
O
~
,
slide back Battery Compartment
Cover and inse
rt
batteries. (See page 4)
2
Flash unit 5 times \0 form capacitor. (Sec page 8)
3
Set camera to correct shutter speed for electronic flash.
4
Set film speed on Calculator Dial. (See page 7)
5
Mount the flash
on
camera.
Attach Shutler Cord to flash unit and " X" terminal
on
camera. (See page 9)
6
Aim t
he
flash and
/o
r set flash head tilt to the desired
shooting angle. (See page
12
)
Battery
Operation
1
Set the flash head tilt to 00 and remove the Battery Compart-
ment Cover ® by sliding it away from the body of the flash
unit, A stop is provided on
th
e cover
so
you can load the
batteri
es
without
comp
letely removing the cover
if
desired.
~
'mo"
'h'
A''''jo,
Bot''''
Hold"
~~
@ from the Ballery Compartment
..
'\
..
and install 4 AA alkali
ne
batteries ,
....
.......
according to the diagram
on
the Holder, If the batteries are
not installed correctly the
Hash
unit will not functi
on,
CAUTiON; Beware of bargainsl Best results and
performance to specifications are based
on
the use of fresh
I .
SV
AA
alkaline baueries.
3
Insert the Battery Hotder into the
Battery Compartment. making sure
the
sQua
red-olf corner of the Holder
aligns with the squared-off corner
of the Battery Compartment.
4
To
replace the cover. push the
balleries into the flash slightly and
slide the cover forward until it
is
firmly seated. If the cover has been
completely rerr.oved, align it with the body
01
the flash unit,
making sure the edges
01
the cover are in slots. Then slide
it into place.
Ballery
Saving
Circuit
Your
Hash
unit has a built-
in
circuit that acts to significantly
prolong bal1ery tife. When this circuit is in operation, the
Ready
light
@ will BLINK.
This
Ba11ery
Saving Circuit only works with Alkaline or NiCad
balleries. The Ready
light
will rema
in
on
(not blinking) when the
unit
is
being operated With
AC
(SB-4) or High Voltage Ballery
PaCk
. 4
7
Plu
g the Sensor @ into the flas
h,
(See pageS)
8
Select
an
automatic f-stop from
th
e Calculator Oi
althat
provides the automatic operating range
or
depth of field
you desir
e.
(S
ee
page 8)
J
Set
the Mode Selector
on
th
e
Senso~
to the corresponding
color. (See page
S)
10
Set camera lens to the auto
I-s
top you
se
lected from the
Calculator Dial.
11
Slide the
On-Olf
Switch ® to
th
e
RED
"
ON
" position.
Focus camera. II
desired,f
i
re
a test flash alter the Ready
L
ig
ht
glows. (See page
6)
12
!I
Sullicient
light
Indicator glows,
wa
it for the Ready
ligh
t
and then take the
pic
ture. ,
When to Chan
ge
the B
aller
ies
The batteries should be replaced when the Ready Light lails
to glow alter 30 seconds or when no sound can be heard
when the
un
it is sw
it
ched on.
Irs
a good idea to periodically
clean both ends
01
the al
ka
line batteri
es
and all other
battery contacts on the Battery Holder and inside
thE::
Battery
Compartment wllh a pencil eraser.
Automatic Operation
Th
e Sensor
Your Vivitar 283 Electronic Flash
is
equipped with a
Re
moftable Sensor ® that measures
the
light reflected from
the sueject and other reflective surfaces near the subject.
This inlormallOn is interpreted
by
a solid stale computer
in
the Sensor which programs the Ilash
to
provide just the right
amount of light required for a perfect exposure. The practical
advantage is that you
don't
have
to
change lhe I-stop
on
your camera lens
wh
en you move closer to a subject
or
larther away, As long as your subject is within the automatic
operating range of the flash
lor
that I-stop, the computer
au
tomatically makes the adjustment for you.
To remove the Sensor from the
p'.lll it straight out from the body
flash.
To
mount the Sensor back
on
the flash, align the
black
ridge at the
back of the Sensor with the groove in
the Sensor Sock
et
CD
and push the Senso
rl
irmly into the flash.
Th
e Mode
Se
t
ector
The Mode Selector ®
on
the
Sensor allows you to set the 283
lor "manual" opelatiofl,
or
for
au
tomatic operation with
lour
different I-stops
on
your camera
lens, This provides you with a
means for controlling the depth of field in your photographs.
Because the four
f·stops
are determined
by
the speed of
the film you are using, each automatic mode isassi
gneda
color,
The Mode
Se
lector may be
set
to
anyone
of the following
five positions'
M "Manual"
-In
!his position your lIash will provide
maximum light output regardless of the lIash-to-subject
distance. (See page 16)
YELLOW - Utilizes the widest lens opening for relatively
shallow depth of field. and provides the greatest automatic
operating range. Automatic operating range: 5 to 43 feet
(1.5 m to
13
.1 m)
RED -Utili
ze
s a medium lens opening f
or
somewhat more
depth of field. The automat
ic
operating range is shortened
accordingly.
Au
tomatic operating range:
4t
o
30
feet
(1.
2m
t
09
.
1m)
BLUE - Utilizes a smaller lens opening for greater depth
01
field. Automatic operating range: 2 to 15 1eet
(0.6 m to 4,5 m)
PURPLE - Utilizes the smallest lens opening for maximum
depth
01
field. Automatic operating range: 2 to
11
f
eet
(0.6 m to 3.4 m)
Thyristor
Circuit
Your Vivit
ar
Model 283 has a unique power conseNalion
system called a thyristor circUit.
Th
is circuit saves the excess
energy nol needed for a proper exposure thereby providing
incredibly fast recycling and a greater number of flashes
per charge. The recycle time and tho number of flashes per
charge varies
depend
i
ng
on
!he
fl
ash-to-subject dislance.
As
you move the flash closer to the subject, the 283 recycles
fa
ster, and is capable of providing more lIashes per set
of batleries.
Th
e
Sulliclent
Lighllndicator
Th
e Sufficient Light Indicator @ on your Vivitar 283 lets
you know before you take a picture if the light output will be
su
fficient for a good exposure. It may be used when shooting
in any of the four automatiC modes, and is
es
pecially helplul
in bounce light situations normally ICquiring complex
exposure calculallons.
To
test
an
exposure using the
Sufficient Light Indicator:
1
PO
Si
tion your camera, fla
sh,
and subject lust
as
you wish
lor the linal picture. ,
Alter the Dial
IS
properly sel. the lour colored triangles on the
Dial line up below the four automatiC
I-stops
for the him
you are using If after
se
tt
ing the film speed on the Calculator
Dial, each
COlored
triangle falls belween two different
I-stops,
re
ler to the
"Au
to I·stop settings" chart on page24
of the Specilications for the best I-stop to use. The numbers
wi/hin each triangle indicate
in
both leet and meters the
approximate maximum operatlflg range lor each
automat
iC
mode,
EXAMPLE: Using ASA 251ilm (DIN
15),lhe
black Film Speed
IndIcator points
10
the 25 on the ASA Scale (15 on the DIN
Scale). The four automatic f-stops which now align
With
-the colored triangles are: Yellow Mode -
It.4
, Red
Mode-
12,
Blue Mode -f4. Purple Mode
-15
6
NOTE: The automalic operating range for each of the four
automatic modes remalflS the same regardless of the type
01
film being used. Only the corresponding I-s/ops change.
Refer \0 page 24
fo
r the exact ranges
in
feet and meters,
I-stop scale
purple triangle
==ij~
distance scales
blue
tr
iangle
~
film speed indicator
red
tr
iangle
:t;
~~~
~=
DIN scale
yellow
triangle;
ASA scale
Forming the Capacitor
Wh
en
your flash is new or when it has not been used for a
long time, the capacitor toses some of Its ability to
stow
electricit
y.
Whe
n
th
is occurs, you can " for
m"
the capacitor
as
follow
s:
1
Plug the Sensor @ into the flash
and set the Mode Selector ® to the
manual "M" position. (See page
5)
,
2
Sel both your camera lens and the Mode Selector ® to the
desired automatic mOde.
3
Switch
on
the flash unit. After the Ready Light
glo
w
s,
lire the
fla
sh
by pushing the Ready
Llghl/Open
Fl
as
h
BUllon@
.
II
the flash exposure
is
adequate, the green Sufficie
nt
Light
Ind
ic
ator will
glow
lor abo
ut
2 secon
ds
immed
ia
te
ly after
liring the flash. If the light glow
s,
you can be
su
re 01
ge
ll
ing
a good exposure provided you k
ee
p your subject and your
photi
equipment
in
the same position. Make sure you
wa
it
lor
th~
Ready Light to glow belore shooting the actual
p
ic
ture.
NOTE: The Sufficient Light Indicator
is
for use in
an
y of the
four
Au
tomat
ic
Modes, and will not light if the Sensor is
sel on manual "M
,"
or il the Sensor is not connected to
the flash.
The Illuminated Calculator Dial
The Illuminated Calculat
or
Dial on your Vivitar 283 provid
es
you with vital information at a glance while shooting.
When the Ready Ligh: on the lIash
is
glowing,l
he Calculator
Dial can be illuminated lor
ea
sy
reading
by
pushing the
Calculator Dial Light Bullon
CD
on the back
01
the flash,
To
se
t the Calculator Dial lor the ASA
or
DIN number of the
film you are using, turn the ouler edge 01 the dial with both
thumbS until the appropriate number on the ASA
or
DIN
Scare is opposile the
black
Film Speed Indicator. The ASA
or DIN number of your film can be found on the film box,
cartridge,
or
on
the data sheet that comes packed with the
lilm. II the ASA or
DI
N number 01 your film is not on the
calcul
at
or
dial, use the film speed scale shown to lind its
localion and set the black indicator to the corresponding dot
on
Ihe dial. FILM
SPEED
SCALE
OIN
27
26 25
24
23
22
21
20
19
I I I I I I J I I
ASA
4
00
320
250
200 1
60
125
10
0 80
64
,
18
17 16
15
r r r I
50
40
32
25
2 1111
lll
l .•
Insert the batteries and slide
rhe
On·Off Switch to the RED "ON"
position:
or-
plug the optional
SB-4 AC Adapter into both the flash and the wall outlet.
NOTE: The flash's On-Off Switch
muSI
be in the 'OFF'
position when uSing the
AC
Adapter
3
Alter the Ready Light glows, fire the
flash 5 times using the Open Flash
Button
®,
allowlflg the Ready
light
to glow
~
5 to 20 seconds alter
each flash.
With either method your capacit
or
will then be formed and
you are ready to begin shooting
Attaching your Flash to the Camera
1
Move the Mounting Foot Lock Lever
® all the way to the left (unlock
position).
2
Insert the Mounllng Foot ® inlO
the accessory shoe on the camera
and tighten by moving the Mounting
Foot
lock
Lever to the right until
it clicks inlo the "LOCK" position.
3
If your camera has a hot shoe, it is
nOI
necessaly
10
use the
Detachable
Shu
tt
er Cord included with your flash unit.
Once attached to the camera, the trash is fully synchronized
With
the camera through the contacts in the shoe.
NOTE: When
USing
the flash on a camera hot shoe, the
Sensor @ must be connecled to the flash
or
the flash will
not lire when the camera's shutter release is pressed.
,
4
II your camera
does
not have a
hoi
shoe. plug the pointed end
of
lhe
Detachable
Shuner
Cord
®
into
the Shutter Cord Socket
CD
on
the
flash. Plug the other end
01
the
cord
inlo the camera Hash terminal
marked " X "
(Reier
to
your
camera
instructions
lor
specific
information
o
~
•
regarding
your
camera's
electronic
!lash
synchroni
zation.)
Shooting
Automatically
On-Camera
Dir
ec
t Flash
T
his
method
01
operation with
your
283 flash allows you to
photograph
subjects al
ma~lmum
distances
from the flash
while
still maintaining
automatic flash
e~posure
contro
l
1
Mounllhe
Sensor ®
onlo
the front
of
the flash. (See
page
5)
2
Set
your
camera
10
the
correct
shutter speed
for
electronic
flash.
(Refer
10
your camera
instructions)
3
Sct the ASA or DIN
number
of tho him you are
using
on
Ihe
Calculalor Dial (see page
7)
, The l
our
colored Iriangles
on
Ihe dial now line
up
below the four
aulomalic
I-slOps
for the
Iilm
you are using.
4
Select
anyone
01
the
lour
automatlc -
I-stops
on
lhe
Calculator
Diallhat
provides Ihe automatic operaling
range
or
deplh
01 held you desire
'"
1
Mount
the Sensor ®
onto
Ihe
Ironl
01
lhe
flash (See
pageS)
2
Set
your
camera 10 Ihe correcl
shulter speed
lor
eleclronic
flash
(Refer
10
your
came,a
mSlruclions )
3
Sellhe
ASA
or
DIN
film
speed
on
Ihe
Calculator
Dial (See page 7)
4
Aller
positioning
your subject, aim
the flash head
for
the
des
ir
ed
bounce
angle. The adjuslable head
01
the 283 tills
upward
90
I,om
the
1
II-~
\
.1 I
.
"
51
,. -
" .
o
(waight
ahead) pOSition, w
llh
click
stops
at
0 . 45 ,60 ,
75
,and
90 (See 'Helplul H,n
ts
',
page20)
5
Select
anyone
01
the four automatic
I-steps
on
the
Calculalor
Dial that
provides the automaltc operating
range
or
depth
of
field you desire.
Remember that/he automatic operatrng range
must
be
sufficient
to
mclude the
en/lTe
lIash-lo-/ellec/or-lo-sub;ecl
distance.
6
TUIn the knurled dial on the
Mode
Selector ®
unilithe
color
that
correspOnds
10
the
f-stop
you
selecled in step
::
5 above appears
in Ihe w
indo
w
on
the
side
of the Selector
"
5
Turn the knurled dial
on
II'Ie Mode
Seleclor
®
untilihe
color
thai
corresponds
10
Ihe
I-st
op
you
seleclod in
step::
4 above appears
in the window
on
the
side
01 Ihe Selector.
6
Set
your
camera lens
10
the auto
I-stop
you selected in
slep::
4
?e
tlhe
(
uaSh
head
lilt
10
the 0
(Slralgh\ ahead) posit
ion.
EXAMPLE OF ON-CAMERA DIRECT
FLASH' You wish
10
pho
tograph a
subject 15 foet away
Ir
om
the flash
and
desire
moderately
great
depth
of
lield
. Using ASA
2S
lilm, set
,
."
...
0'
..
;
lhe
Mode
Seleclor
10
Ihe
Blue position, and sel
your
camera
lens
10
f4
Your
automatic
operaltng range is from 210
15
leet
8
Sli
de
Iho
On-all
Switch to the RED
"
ON
"
posilion
. Focus the camera
II
desired.
les
t the
e~posure
using
the Sufficient
Ughl
Indicator
(see page 6). Take Ihe
piclure
alter
the Ready
Ughl
glows
Your flash unil
will
automalicatty determine correct
e~posures
withoul
further
adjustments as long
as
you remain
within
the
automalic range
you have select
ed
On-Camera
Automatic
Bounce
Flash
When mounted
on-camera,
your
283 allows you
10
bounce
light
off
Ihe
ceiling
or
other
reflect
ive
sur/aces above Ihe flash l
or
e~Cra
soft iltumrnalion. while
ma
intaining
lhe
convenience of
automalic
ftash exposure
control
"
7
Set
your
camera lens
to
the auto
I-stop you selected in
slep::5
above,
.. ,. ,
..
, -
;
EXAMPLE OF ON-CAMERA AUTOMATIC BOUNCE FLASH:
Using
ASA25
film,
bouncing
Iho light off an 8
loot
white
ceiling
onto a
subjecl
al
a tot
al
fla
sh-to-
reflector-t
o-subject
distanco
of
20
feet from the flash, and
desiring
relalively
shallow
dopth
of
fi
eld;
• Set Ihe flash head 1
111
to
Ihe
appropriale
angle
•
S;t
the
Mode
Selector
10
RED
•
s_
\
your
camera lens to
12
.
8
Slido Ihe
On-Off
Switch to the
RED
"O
N" position. Focus the camera,
I!
desired,tost
the exposlJre using
the Sufficient
Ught
Indicalor
(see
page
6)
. Take the piClure
aller
Ihe Ready
Ught
glows
.
Your flash
unit
wilt
aulomatically
detormine correct
exposures without
further
adjustmenls
as
long as you
remain wit
hin
the
automalic
rango you have selected.
Oil-Cam
e
ra
Direct
and
OIl·Camera
Boun
ce Flash
An ontirely new realm of
pho
to-
graphy
opens
up
to
you
when you
use
your
Vlvitar 283 011 the camera
for
more pleasing
direcllightlng
or
for
ext
ra
soli
automatic
bounce
flash lighting.
Because
Ihe Sensor
on
the lIash
may
be removed and
mounted on your camera, Ihe flash
can be aimed either
directly
at
the subject or at
many
different
types
of
rellective surfaces such as
ceilings, walls
or
photo umbrellas
and still maintain
fully
automalic
exposure control.
..
-':.----~·--
A
~
-----~--
\j
For
maximum
convenience
in a wide variely of
off-camera
"
applications
It
is recommended that you mount your !lash
on
the optional Vivitar Qu
ic
k
Re
lease Pistol Grip, available
at
your local Vlvltar dealer.
1
Set your camera to the correct
shutter speed for electronic flash.
(Refer to your camera instructions.)
2
'Set the
ASAor
DIN him speed on
the Calculator Dial (See page 7)
3
Remove the Sensor ® from the
flash by pulling
il
straight out from
the body of Ihe !lash.
4'
Mountlhe
Sensor on the Sensor
Holder e by aligning the black
ridge
at
th
e back of the Sensor with
the groove in Ihe fronl of the Sensor
Holder and pushing the Sensor
firmly into the Holder.
5'
Plug the small end of the
Se
nsor
Cord ® into the Sensor Socket
(2)
on
Ihe front
01
the flash. making
sure the ridge in the plug aligns wi
lh
Ihe groove in the Sensor Socket.
6'
Slide the Sensor Holder ® onlo
your camera's !la
sh
accessory shoe
with the Sens
or
facing forward.
If
your camera is equ
ip
ped with a
hot shoe,
fulillash
-t
o-c
amera
•
0p60n~
accnJOf)' it! _
CO<KlI>'ie
, 14
FLASH: Using ASA 25 film, you wish 10 use side lighling
on
your subject
lor
a dramatic effect. The total bounce distance
from the flash to the wall to the subject is
12
l
ee
t and you
want relatively great depth
01
field:
• Set the Mode Selector to BLUE (automatic operating
range 2-15 feet).
• Set your camera lens to
f4
.
• Aim Ihe flash
at
the midpoint on the wall between Ihe
flash and the subject.
11
Slide the On-Off Swllch
10
the
RED
"
ON
" position. Focus the cam
era
If desired, test the
e~l>0sure
uSing
illli
ll
the Sufficient Lig
ht
Ind
ic
ator (see
pag(6).
Take the picture
after the Ready Light glows.
Your flash unit will automatically delermine correct
e~posures
wl
lh
out further adjustmenlS
as
long
as
you remain
wllhin the automallc range you selected.
Th
e Bounce Co
mp
en
sa
tor
Circuit
Your Vivitar 283 has a built-in
Bounce Compensator Cir
cu
it
(BCC) that
au
tomatically increases
the light
ou
tPUI
of the fla
sh
when
the 283 is
se
t
10
the
45
~
,
60
·.
or 75° positions on the Bounce
Angle Scale
(11,
These three pOSitions are enclosed in the
red rectangle on the Scale. The BCC feature supplies Ihe
extra power usually reqUired to compensate l
or
light
dispersion
wh
en bouncing !ighl 0" the ceiling
or
other
reflectors above the flash.
NOTE: The BCC funClions wi
th
any 01 the four
au
tomatic
modes. and does not
ac
tivale when shooting in
th
e manual
" M" mode.
Shooling
Manually
D
irect
Flash
Should you wish
10
use your 283
in
the Manual mode (lor
"
I
synchronization is now achieved
through the Sensor Cord. It your
camera is not equipped with a hot
shoe, plug the pointed end of Ihe
Delachable Shul1er Cord ® into
the Sensor Holder Shutter Cord
Soc
ke
t
on
the side
of
th
e Sensor
Holder, and plug the
ol
n
er
end of the i
"X" terminal
on
your camera. (Refer 10 your camera
instructions
lo
r specif
ic
information regarding your camera's
flash synchronization.)
7
~
Select a one of Ihe four aulomat
ic
I-stops
on
he
Ca
lculalOr Dial that
provid
es
the
au
tomatic operating
ra
nge
or
depth of field you desire. ""
Remember t
hat/he
automatic operating tange must be
su/licient /0 include the entire Ifash-to-reflector-/o-subject
d,stance.
8
Turn the knurled dial
on
the Mode
Selector ®
unl
il the color that
corresponds to Ihe f
·slop
you
select
ed
in s
lep:::7
above appears
in the window
on
Ihe side
01
the Selector.
9
Se
t your camera lens to the aulo
I-slop
you selected in step
;:7
.
10
After positi
on
ing your subject. aim
Ihe flash
lor
the desired lighting
elle
e!.
The adjustable head
olthe
263
1i1ts
upward
90
·
lrom
the O·
, ,
,,
...
,.
"
• §
, .
(s
traight ahead) posilion. wi
th
click stops at 0' , 45", 60",
75
" and 90
·.
(See "
He
lplul H
ints."
page 20)
EXAMPLE
OF
OFF-CAMERA AUTOMATIC
BO
UNC
E
taking pictures beyond Ihe automatic flash range
or
when
uSing muiliple flash lighhng). proceed
as
follows:
1
Mount the Sensor @ onto Ihe
fl
ash
uni!. (See page
5)
2
Set the Mode Selector
~~
to the
Manual "M"
POSition.
3 \
Set your camera to the correct
shulter speed for electroniC flash.
(Re
fer to your camera iflstructions
.)
4
Set the ASA
or
DIN film speed on
the Calculator
~
i
al.
(See page
7)
5
Focus your came
ra
and cstimale
the
dis
tance from the flash to the
subject. You can usually do this
"by
....
u ,
..
'
,_
':
•
.""
,- "
e
yc"
or you can refer
10
the distance indicated on the
camera lens barrel after focusing
6
Find thc flash-
t...
.-subject dislance
on
th
e Calculator Dial Distance
Scale, and
se
t your lens
to
the
I-SlOp indicated above that
distance. (Disregard the colored
If
jangles on the Dial when
shooting in the manual
mode)
EXAMPLE:
II
you are 45 feel from your subjeci and are using
ASA
64
film. sal your lens f-slop to
f2.
"
7
Slide
the
On·
011
Switch
10
the RED
"ON" position. Focus the camera
Take the picture alter the Ready
Light glows. I
lil
l
ll
CAUTION: For rapid seQuence nash
pictures
in
the manual
mode.
you
may
fire
your
283 as soon as the Ready Light
glows. However, to prevent possible
damage
avoid a
continuous
series
01
more than
2S
IIashes and anow the
unit
to
"rest"
for 4 minutes between series.
Manual
Bounce
Flash
Your 283 can be used in the manual
"M" mode for bounce flash al
d
is
tances
beyond
the
maximum
au
tomatic operating range.,
First set the M
ode
Se
l
ec
tor on the 28310 manual " M
O..
To determine the
proper
!l)lposure when
using
bounce
fl
ash
in the manual
mode
, use any ONE of the following methods:
1
In rooms of average size and
color,
II
good
general rule is
10
open
your lens 2
I-stops
widerlhan
il
you were
shoo
t
ing
direct.
OR
2
Alter seltlng the
proper
ASA
number
on
the
Calcula
tor Dial,
find Ihe
totaillash
-
io-rellectof-io-sub
ject
distance
on
the
Calculator
Dial and note the
I-Slap
indicated above
th
at
distance, Open your lens 1
I-sto
p wider than
indica
ted on
the
dia
l,
EXAMPLE
: Photographing a subject 20 feet from the lIash
With
ASA 100 film, set
your
lens
to
14
,
OR
3
If the lotal bounce distance
does
not appear on the
Calculator Dial, first measure the distance from the
fl
ash to
the reflecting surface to the subject. Then,
divide
thai total
distance
into
the Ilash
guide
number
lor
Ihe
him
you
are
"
After
you've Finished
Shooting
Re
mo
vi
ng
the Flash
To remove the Ilash from the camera, move the Mounting
Foot Lock Lever ®
alilhe
way to the le
ft
(unloc
k position)
and
slide
the !lash
011
the accessory shoe,
Batterie
s
A,
To conserve battery power,
it
is
r
ecommended
that you
turn
oil
the
unit
when there is more t
han
a 2 or 3 minute
delay
between pictures,
B. If
you're
not
go
ing to use your flash unit lor several
weeks,
or
if
th
e batteries appear weak, remove them.
Helpful
Hints
Oil-Camera
Direct
Ughting
Shooling
With the flash oU-camera helps eliminate harsh
shadows,
washed-out
foregrounds, and
"red-ey
e
."
When
using
direct
lighting, try
holding
the flash above and
slighlly
to the right
or
left
of
your
subjecl
lo
produce
betler
modeling, You can
di
ff
use
dilectlig
ht to achieve a
sol
ter
tone by
placing
a handkerchiel over Ihe flash head, making
sure Ihe Sensor is lefl uncovered.
Bounc
e
LIghting
Solt
lighting with a
minimum
of harsh shadows is achieved
by
bouncing
Ihe
light
011
a reflective surface onto
your
subject. Light
colored
walls. ceilings, large sheets
of
paper,
or even bed sheets make ideal
re
fl
ectors. This type
01
lighting is similar to soft, hazy sunlight
or
window
light.
When using
color
film,
be
carelul about the
color
01
the
reflective surface, as the
bounced
light
will
take on the
color
01 the reflector. Unless
you
are trying for
special
effects,
irs
a
good
idea to use a gray
or
lighl-colored
surface.
As a general rule when
using
bounce
fl
ash, set the flash
head lilt on the 283
so
that Ihe tight is
di
r
ec
ted
atlhe
'"
uSing. Note the resulting
number
(
rounded
off
to
the nearest
f-stop), and
open
your
lens 1
f-stop
wider.
EXA
M
PLE
: Using
ASA
25
film at a total flash-t
o-
r
eilector-to-
subject distance
01
20 lee! . , , Guide N
o.
60
+-
20 = 3
(approx. f2.8),
Open
your
lens to
12
.
NOTE:
When
figuring
flash-to-subjeci
distance
using
manual
bounce
flash, be sure 10
consider
Ihe light
absorbtion
01
the rellective surface. Bouncing
off
surfaces
such as curtains,
lor
example,
will
add to Ihe effective
distance between the flash, the reflecto
r,
and the subject.
To insure properly exposed pictures when bouncing off light
a bsy~~ing
surfaces,
open
your lens 1 additional
f-stop
ove~e
selting
determined
by
any
of
the above methods.
Cameras with Builtwln Automatic
Flash
Control
Some cameras have a feature which automatically sets the
correct lens apertures
for
flash as you locus. For the camera
and
your
Vivl
ta
r 28310 operate properly together, you must:
1
Se
t the
correctllash
guide
number
for
the film you are using
on
the Guide
Number
Scale 01 your camera (reler to
your
camera
instructions
lo
r the location of the Guide
Number
ContrOl): and
2
Make sure the
Mode
Selector ® is
set to manual " M
";
and
3
M
ounlthe
flash on
Ihe
camera and
tilt the lIash head
to
o
~
(direct
flash). The
proper
flash
gu
ide
numbers
correspond
ing to
bot
h
AS
A and DIN l
ilm
speeds a
re
indicated in the
Specilications,
Page 24. "
mid
poinl
on
the
ceiling
between the flash and the subject.
Usi
ng
th
e S
ullic
ie
nt
Light
Indi
cator
If the green
Sufhcient
Light
Indicator
does
not
glow
upon
firing a lesll1ash,
you
will have to make adjustments that
allow
more light to reach the subjec
t.
Sevoral alternatives
are listed below
which
may be used alone
or
in
comb
inati
on
with one another.
1
Se
t the
Mode
Selector to
an
automatic mode that utilizes a
2\
'-SlOP
opening, and set
your
camera lens
acco
rdingly.
Shorten the
dis
t
ance
Ihe light must travel
to
reach the
subjec
t.
This may be
accomptished
by
moving the flash,
Ihe
subject, the reflector
(if
using
bounce
flash)
or
by
a
combination
01 the three.
3
Bounce
the light
oil
a more reflectiVe surface (e.g, a white
wall rather than a
white
curtain),
NOTE:
The
indicator
does
not function in the manual mode.
MirrOf$
Never shoot Ilash pic
tu
res straight into mirrors, glass or
other highly reflective surlaces, as
th
e resulting light
reflections may
ru
in y
our
pictures. Stand
al
an
angle
so
that
any reflections
will
be
directed away Irom the camera.
Hint:
If
you
can
'l
see yourself in the mirror,
you're
safe.
Simula
tin
g
sunlight
There are times
when
the sun disappears, but the
pic
ture
calls
lor
sunlight. Your
electronic
flash can then be used
as
the
malfllight
and
very successfully simulate sunlight.
When
you
wish to simulate
sunlight
outdoors
in
dull
weather, first determine the proper exposure
lor
the natural
daylight
and then
StOp
down one
lull
I-stop
. Determine the
correspond
ing
lIash-
t
o-subjec
t distance
for
that I-st
op
.
Set your fla
sh
at that distance. The flash will
th
en serve as
"
~
the
dominanllight
source. and the
nalurallighl
will serve
as
lililight.
Be
sure to set the Mode Selector 01 your 283 to manual
"M
"lor
simulating sunlight.
Open
nash
This technique involves firing the flash manually while the
camera shutter is open. You can use it for a variety
of
creative ellects. For example.
while
the shutter is open the
fl
tm
records both the
imag~
lit
by
the existing light and
the image lit by the flash. You can capture both a sharp
and a blurred image in the same picture
10
create a feeling
of movement. Or. in a large dark interior you can open the
shutter and fire several electronic flashes from different
positions until you have lit the entire scene.
Synchronizalion
speed
When taking pictures with your Vivitar electronic flash.
always try to use the fastest shutter speed that provides
full electronic flash synchronization (refer to your camera
instructions for this information). Tnis will eliminate
"ghosts"
or
blurry images
of
brightly lit objects in the
background.
Group
shots
When photographing groups of people. bounce lighting
gives an even and pleasing coverage
of
the subject.
Arrange the
group
so that everyone is about the same
distance from the camera. If you're not careful. people
closest to the camera will be overexposed or "washed
out."
and those furthest away witt be underexposed because not
enough light reached their spot in the picture. Be sure to
move well within
th
e lIash range indicated on the
Calculator Dial and remember to estimate the entire bounce
distance if you are using bounce flash.
Flash fill
Electronic Ilash can
be
used outdoors to ·fill·in· shadow
areas. It softens hard shadows resulting from bright sunlight
and is particularly useful wi
th
color
slide film. which can
record only a limited contrast range.
"
Vivitar Model 283 Specifications
Manual Operat
io
n
Gu,de
numbers
(ASA·Feel)
ASA
Fi
lm
Speed
25
..
SO
'00
'"
'"'
2"
'00
800
Flash
Guide
N
o.
60
,.
'"
'"
'"
'"
n,
2"
'"
Guide
numbers
(DIN·
Meters);
" "
2Q
"
22
23 " " JO
DIN F
<lm
Speed
Flash
G",de No " 29 32 36
.,
" " 72 '00
Automati
c
Operatio
n
Auto
I'S10P
sen,ngs
10
lhe
closest ha.ll·stop
Film
Speed
ASA
25
64
"
eO"
tOO
' t25"
160"
200
'
400
800
DIN
15 19
20
21 22
23
24
27
30
YELLOW
Mode
1.4
24
2.4
2.8
35
3.5
4
5.6
8
REO
M
ode
23535
4
47 47
56
8
11
BLUE
Mode
4
67 67
B
95 95
11
16
22
P
URPLE
Mode
56959-5
II
t4 t4
16
22
32
.r
....
As.o. !
.I",
._
• .,.n
..
lOY
"~'1
Y,
0I1~
1-11"" T
..
""""">0
Cftl"9l.n
".
_u'.
os
to
.,.gft.
,n".
<"'n\PI'~
t
..
""'"
!"'O(>
""Y
no!
~
'""'CI''''
Avlomal!C operatmg ranges:
YELLOW Mode. 5 It to 43
ft
. (
15
m (0 t3 m)
RED
Mode.
<I
It. (0 30 I
t.
(
1.2
m to 9 m)
BLUE
Mode
. 2
ft
. (0
15
I
t.
(0.6 m to 4.5 m)
PURPLE
Mode
. 2
II
101
tit.
(06
m to
34m)
General
Specifica
tions
BCP$ (Beam Candle Power Seconds) 2,900 (manual)
Recycle Time:
DC -Alkaline Balteries: O.Sto
11
sec. auto
11
sec manual
Nicad Bal1elles:
0_5
(0
6 sec au\o
6 sec. manual
AC _ 10 seconds (With opllonal
5B·4
AC Adapler)
(When using batteries. recycle times are based on an
average of the second through eleventh flashes
With
tresh
batteries_ Recycling takes longer
as
the balleries drain
.)
"
I Here
is
a simple
procedufe
which you can modify according
to your preference. Sel your camera's Shutter speed and
I-st
op for a
proper
exposure
of
the subject without flash.
Keep in mind that only some shutler speeds can be
synchronized
wilh
the flash. Divide the flash guide num,ber
for the film you ara using by the
'·stop
you have
se
t.
This
will give you Ihe Il
ash·to-subjact
distance f
or
a bright IiII.
For a normal fill. move Ihe flash back half again the dista.nce:
for a weaker fill (not recommended wi
th
cotor slide film)
double the bright lill distance.
Set the Mode Selector
of
your 283 to Manual "M" for
lIaShf
i\
Flash Duration (appro)():
1/1000
second (manual)
1/1000
to 1
/30.000
second (automatic)
Color Temperature: 55000 Kelvin
Angles 01 Illumination: 45
verllcal.60
horizonlai
Power Sources: (3Smm Ions)
DC -Four 1.5 volt size
AA
alkaline ba\le
ri
es (Mallory
MNI500,
Eveready
E91
or
equivalent)
Ni Cad balleries -opllonal Vivitar
NC·3
battery
pack
AC -Optional Vivitar S6"4 AC Adapter (105-125V AC)
Flash per Power Source:
Sour Aulo ' Manual
Alkaline Batteries
75-800
75
NiCads (optional) 45
-7
50 45
AC
(optional) infinite infinite
'Number
01
!lashes
in
the
'~
10
mode
depends
on
!lash
to
lubject
d.llance.
,oom reflecl
,.,l
y
and
."to
1'1100 setllng used.
Cameral Electronic Flash Synchronization Connections:
Shutter Cord. Hot Shoe. Sensor Holder
Weight without Bal/eries:
14
OZ
(400 9)
Dimensions:
5r."
x
31'>"
x IV." (149 mm x 89 mm x 48 mm)
(less the mounting foot and sensor)
Accessorias tncluded: Removable Sensor. 1.2 Meter
Sensor Cord •
.v
ivilar
PC-1
12"
Shutter Cord
8------
VivitaI:
VP-l
Varipower
Module
Owner
's Manual
Vivitar.
VP-l
Varipower
Module
For u
se
with
Vi
vitar Model 283 Auto/
Th
y
ri
stor
El
ectronic Fla
sh
Unit only
Introduction -
Th
e Vivitar VP
-1
Varipower Module is your control to " dial i
n"
a
speci
fi
c amount of flash illumination. You can balance
"mai
n" and
"fi
ll"
li
ghts with
ou
t making drastic changes in fl
ash-to-sub
ject
distances. You can conser
ve
battery energy by using the minimum
amount of light required for correct exposures. You can shorten
recycling time whenever "
fa
st shooting" is mo
re
important than high
levels of light output.
Getting acquainted -
Pl
ugged into your 283's Sensor Socket,
th
e Vivitar
VP-1
Varipower
Module provides co
nt
inuously
va
riable contr
ol
of manual light output
1
between "
full"
power and 1
/32
of "full" powe
r.
•
VP-1
Plu
g
• Varipower Index Mark
e Varipower Dial
..
Power Scale
o Exposure
Co
rrection Scale
Mounting the
VP-1
on
your
Flash-
1 - Remove the Sen
so
r from your 283's Sensor Socket.
2 - Align the
VP-1
Plug with the Sensor Socket making sure
th
at
the
"Key"
inside the plug will slide into
th
e
"G
roove" molded
into the Sensor Socket.
3 - Gently insert the
VP-1
until it firmly seats it
se
lf in
th
e Sensor
So
cke
t.
NOTE: Your
VP-1
ma
y also be plugged into
th
e Remote Sensor
Extension Cord.
2
Using the Power Scale -
The Power Scale
8)
indicates the Varipower Dial settings which
align with the Varipower Index Mark
CD
to
produce
changes in light
output (see chart).
Power
Scale
FULL
2 4 8
16
32
Seltinl
Light
Output
as
fraction
of
1 1
/2
1
/4
1/8
1/
16
1
/32
full
manual
power
FILM
SPEED
FLASH
GUIDE
NUMBERS
DIN
ASA
m It. m It. m
It.
m It. m It. m
ft.
15
25
18
60
13
42
9
30
6
21
4
15
3
11
18
50
26
85
18
60
13
42
9
30
6
21
4
15
19
64
29
96
21
68
14
48
10
34
7
24
5
17
20
80
32
108
23
76
16
54
11
38
8
27
6
19
21
100
36
120
26
85
18
60
13
42
9
30
6
21
22
125
40
135
29
95
20
67
14
48
10
34
7
24
23
160
45
150
32
106
23
75
16
53
11
37
8
26
24
200
51
170
36
120
26
85
18
60
13
42
9
30
27
400
72
240
51
170
36
120
26
85
18
60
13
42
30
SOO
102
340
72
240
51
170
36
120
26
85
18
60
3
Since the
VP
-1 provides continuously variable control, you may
visually estimate changes in light output when the Varipower Dial is
set with the Varip
ower
Index Mark midway between marked position
s.
NOTE:
Th
e minimum Varipower Dial setting
is
marked with a dot (
.)
at
which point
th
e
VP-1
will limit light output to approximately
1/ 6401 lull manual power. A lew t
es
t exposures will quickly
establish the light output
01
your 283 using this minimum dial setting.
Using the Exposure Correction Scale -
Th
e Exposure Correction Scale ® indicates the difference between
exposure
at
full manual power and exposure at a selected dial
setting. This difference is indicated in a number of
lull
I-
stops.
Th
e
minus symbol preceding each exposure correction serves
as
a
reminder that the exposure is less than that obtained with
lull
power
and that the camera lens must be opened by the indicated
number of I-stops.
Power-Scale
Setting FULL 2 4 8 16 32
Exposure
Correction
4
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
For example, if you're using DIN 15 (ASA 25) film and
yo
ur flash-t
o-
subject distance is 2% meters (7%
fe
et), the 283's Calculator
Dial indicates correct exposure at
f8
. If you now set the Varipower
Dial
at
"2"
or % power, your photograph wi
ll
be
unde
re
xposed
1-stop unless
yo
u open your lens diaphragm to the next larger f-stop.
In
this exampl
e,
the exposure correction indicate
s"
- 1" which
would result
in
correct exposure
at
f5
.
6.
Since the
VP-1
provides continuously variable control, you may
visually estimate exposure corrections
in
V3
or
V2
f-stop
in
crements
when the Varipower Dial is set with the Varipower Index Mark
between marked positions.
NOTE: The minimum Varipower Dial
se
tting is marked with a dot (. )
at
which point
th
e
VP-1
will limit
li
ght output to approximately 6
f-stops below exposure at full manual power. A few test exposures
will quic
kl
y establi
sh
the exact exposure correction for
yo
ur
283 using this minimum dial setting.
Balancing "fill-in" lighting -
You
may dial to a specific exposure correction when using your
283
as
a
"fill-in"
light. For exampl
e,
u
si
ng
DIN 15 (ASA 25) film,
5
your daylight exposure calc
ul
ations call for
f8
at
1/60
second.
(Remember
to
check your camera's shutter speed requirements for
"X"
synchronization.) If your flash-to-subject distance
is
2% meters
(7% f
ee
t
),
proper flash exposure would also be
f8
. Taking the
picture with these daylight and
fl
ash conditions would produce a
st
rong fill (the
fl
ash "fill" illumination equals
th
e daylight illumination
used
as
a
"mai
n"
li
ght). For a normal fill, you would ordinarily
increase flash-to-subject distance to 3.3 meters
(11
feet). For a
weak fill, you would increase
fl
ash-to-subject distance to 4.6 meters
(
15
feet). However, you may not have room to make
th
ese increases
in
fla
sh
-to-subject distance. Also, if your flash is mounted on
your camer
a,
you'll
al
ter the composition of your picture if you begin
moving camera and flash to increase flash-to-subject distances.
With the Vivitar
VP-1
Varipower Module, simply dial to " - 1" for
normal fill, or dial to " -
2"
for a weak fill. There's no need to
change the flash-ta-subject distance.
Conserving battery power and shortening recycle time -
Th
e Vivitar
VP-1
Varipower Module utilizes your 283's
Th
y
ri
stor
Circuitry to co
nt
rol light outpu
t,
in much the same manner that its
Automatic Flash Circuitry
tu
rns off the light for preprogrammed
6
a
<
exposures. Therefore, at any Varipower setting less than
"FULL,"
your 283's capacitor will retain a portion of its charge thereby
reducing battery drain and shortening recycle times.
For example, using
DIN
15
(ASA 25) film, you're about to make
several exposures wi
th
a flash-to-subject distance of
2%
meters
(7% feet) . Using full manual power, your Calculator Dial indicates
proper exposure
at
f8.
Dialing the
VP-1
to
"8"
and opening your lens
to
f2
.8
will also produce proper exposures, decrease battery drain,
and reduce recycling time. Also, you'll find it easier to
"freeze"
action when operating at reduced power since you're shortening
fla
sh
duration as you dial away from "FULL."
7
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
