Vivitar 281 User manual

I     l o      o 1   www.orphancameras.com
utvltar
automaticelectronicflash
Model 281


Owner'sManual

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CONGRATULATIONS... AND WELCOME
to the ever-increasirfgnumberof photographersnow
enjoyingVivitarElectronicFlash.
YourVivitarModel281 is an excitingnew way to take
f lashpicturesand becausewe knowyou'llwant to get
startedimmediately,here is a SHORTCOURSEOF
INSTRUCTIONSto showyou how to take perfectlyex-
posedphotographseverytime.The detailedinstructions
whichfollowoffera morecompleteexplanationof how to                                                                                                                                                                                     i
useyour new Vivitar281 and also providehandyhintson                   t
flash photography.                                                                                                                                                                                       lI :
YourOwner'sManualis a handyreferenceguideand
shouldbe referredto whenerrerouestionsarise.We
knowthatyou will enjoyyour new electronicflashand
we wish you manyyearsof picturetakingfun.

ReadyLight      www.orphancameras.com
llluminatedCalculatorDial
Ooen FlashButton
ChargeTerminationI ndicator
MountingShoe
Shoe Lock Nut

Descriptionof parts


On-OffSwitch
Sensor
Automaticf/stop Selector
Hot Shoe PC Terminal
Wide Angle Attachment

AC/ChargeReceptacle
Auto/ManualControlSwitch
PC SynchronizationCord
PC Tip StorageArea

AC/ChargeUnit
ChargerVoltageSelector

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Tableof contents




      2-3  Shortcourseof instructions
       4   First,chargethe unit
       5  Formthe capacitor
       6  Yourf lashwill operatefrom severalpowersources
       7  Batterysavingcircuit
       8  Attachingflashto camera
       9  Multiplef /stop control
    10-11  Get readyto shoot.. . automatically
      12  Manualoperation
      13  You'rereadyto shoot lF
      14 Cameraswith built-inautomaticflashcontrol
      15 Wide angleattachment
      15  Afteryou'ref inishedshooting                         \
    1 6 - 1 8 H e l ouf l h i n t s
           Eliminatingshadows  Flashfill
           Mirrors             Synchronizationspeed
         Bounceflash        Stoo action
         Groupshots
       '19           Multiplef lashwith Vivitarslaveunits
    20-21 Troubleshooting
      22  Informationand assistance
      22  Warrantyregistration
    23-24 Model281 soecifications

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                                                                                                            DN:Date:cn=Mike2024.04.21signedButkus,by17:39:21Mikeo=ButkusButkus-04'00'camera manuals, ou=butkus.org, email=mike@butkus.org, c=US      Mike Butkus                                                Digitally
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Short course of instructions
1I
Set chargervoltageselector
to properlinevoltage.(See
page6.)
 ,1z
Chargeunitfor t hour or until
chargeterminationindicator
glows.(Seepage 4.)


Flashunit5 timesto form
capacitor.(Seepage5.)
                                                         _r!

DetachAC/Charge Unit and
mountflashon camera.Attach
           'rX"PC cordto    terminal.

 I-c
Set camerato correctshutter
speedfor electronicflash.

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/Ao
SetASA film speedon calcu-
latordial.Readf /stop within
color-keyedtrianglefor auto
f/stop you prefer.

-
 (
Set automatic t /stop selector
to samecolor and set
auto/manualcontrolswitchto automatic("A").    rffil



rv'
Set f /stop on cameralens.
No furtheradjustmentsare
requiredwithinauto range.
I
SlideOn-OffSwitchto "ON"
position.Takethe picturewhen
readylightglows.

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Detailedoperatinginstructions
First,charge the unit
YourVivitarModel281can be chargedon either120volt
AC (U.S.A.voltage)or 220voltAC (manyEuropeancoun-
tries)currents.Set the ChargerVoltageSelector@ on the
AC/ChargeUnit@  to matchthe linevoltageyou will use.
CAUTION:The chargervoltagese/ecfor must be sef correctly
tOpreventdamage to your charger.





Slidethe On-OffSwitch@ to the "OFF" positionto pre-
ventbatterydrainand insertthe ChargeCord intothe
AC/ChargeReceptacle@   . Plugthe AC/CnargeUnitinto
any standardAC wall outletand chargethe 281 for t hour
or untilthe ChargeTerminationlndicator@ glows.
The Chargerof yourVivitar281will automaticallyswitchdown
to a "tricklecharge"and a built-insafetycircuitwill protect
yourflashfrom overcharging.
UndernormalcircumstancesyourVivitar281willfullyre-
chargein t hour but the chargetime may varysomewhat
dependingon variationsin both linevoltageand ambient
roomtemperatureand the conditionof the built-inNickel
Cadmiumbatteries.The ChargeTerminationIndicatormay
take upto 11/zhoursto lightand this shouldbe considered
normalwherevariationsin chargingconditionsexist.

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An importantfeature
YourVivitarModel281 has the abilityto deliverenough
flashesto shootan entireroll of f ilm afteronly a few min-
utesof charging.The chartbelowshowsthe numberof
flashesobtainableas the chargingtime increases.
ChargingTime  Numberof Flashes(avg.).
 5 minutes
10 minutes             1 5                    *Based on batteries
15 minutes                                                  being completely
30 minutes            40                        d/alned.power remainsWherefromsome
45 minutes            55                       prevrousnumberofcnarges,flashes
60 minutes         65+                         willi ncreased.be substantially

Formthe capacitor

The capacitorof the flash draws electricalenergyfrom the
batteries,storesit and dischargesthis energyto the flash
tubewhenthe circuitis triggered.Whenthe flash is new or
when it has not been usedfor a long periodof time,the
capacitormay lose some of its abilitylo storeelectricity,
Whenthis occurs,the followingstepswill re-buildor "reform"
the capacitor.
Afteryour Model281 is charged,slidethe On-OffSwitch@
to the "ON" positionand fire the flashby pressingthe Open
 FlashButton@. Repeatthis about5 timesallowingthe
ReadyLight@ to glow aftereachf lash.Yourcapacitorwill
then be formedand you can disconnectthe AC/Charge
U n i t @
 It's a good ideato f lashyour unit periodicallyto keepthe
 caoacitorformed.

Attaching yourwww.orphancameras.comflash to the camera
1
  I
Selectverticalor horizontaloperation.lf the camerabeing
usedis a half-f rame35mmcamera,use the verticalposition.
Forfull-frame35mmcamerasand lnstamatic126type
cameras,use the horizontalposition.
rrz
lnsertthe MountingShoe@ intothe accessoryclip on the
cameraand tightenwith the ShoeLock Nut @ Plugthe PC
Cord @  intothe flashterminalon the camera.Usethe ter-
mlnalmarked"X". lf an "X" terminalis not proviuled,set the
camerasynchronizationswitchto "X". (Referto your camera
instructionsfor specificinformationregardingyour camera's
f lash synchronization).


lf your camerais suppliedwitha hot shoeterminal,you can
plugthe PC Cord @  intothe Hot ShoePC Terminat@
The u n it will then be f u lly synchronizedto the camera
throughthe contactsin the shoe,
                                   qq

Multiplef/stopwww.orphancameras.comcontrol

 The Vivitar Model281 can be set to operate automatically
  at two f /stops. The larger f /stop position (BLUE) permits
 you to decrease the depth of field (area in sharp focus) and
 also enables you to take pictures at an extended automatic
  r a n g e T h e s m a l l e rf / s t o p p o s i t i o n ( R E D ) s h o u l d b e u s e d f o r
  t a k i n g c l o s e u p p i c t u r e sw i t h f a s t f i l m s a n d  i n s i t u a t i o n sw h e n
 you want to increase you r depth of f ield.
 The Automatic f /stop Selector@  is a two-position color-
 keyed switch:

 Blue
 In this position,the automatic
 rangeof your u n it is 2 to 21 f eet
 fromflashto subject.Whenin
 this modeusethe B LUE triangle
 o n th e l l l u mi na t eCad lcu la t o r
 Dial@ to readyour autof /stop
 setting

 Red
 In this modethe automaticrange
 of your 2B'1is 2 to 10 feetf rom
flashto subject.Whenusingthis
modereadthe REDtriangle on
th e lllu mi na t edCa lcu la t oDiar     l
@for yourautof/stop settrng


Important:To shootautomatically,m a k e s u r e t h e A u t o / M a n -
ual ControlSwitch@) is set to the a u t o m a t i cp o s i t i o n( " A " )

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Get readyto shoot...dutomatically
 II
 Set the auto/manualcontrol
 switch@  to the automatic
 position("A").


 ,1z
 Set the camera shutter sPeed
 to 1 /60,1 /30 o; "f,"-
 Note;You should referto your
 camerainstructionsfor the
 properspeedsettingfor elec-
 tronicflash.

  \.,e
 Setthe correctASA f ilm speed
 on the calculatordial @. The
 ASAspeedcan be foundin the
 data sheetthat comes packed
 withyourfilm.
 Example; For Kodachrome ll, set
 the ASA mark to 25.

                        1 0

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4
 Read f /stop within color-keyedtrianglefor auto f/stop
 you prefer.Setautomaticf/stop selector@ to samecolor
 and set your lensto the correctf /stop.

 The correctauto f/stop settings
 for mostpopular f ilmsare listed
 for bothauto rangesin the
 Specifications,page23.


,-c
Slidethe On-OffSwitcfr@ to
the "ON" position.Yourf lash
unitwill automaticallygive
you a perfectexposureof any
subjectwithinthe automatic
rangeyou haveselectedwith-
out furtherf /stop adjustments.

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Manual operation

Whenyou wishto use yourVivitar281 in the manualmode
(forexample,picturesbeyondthe autof lashrange)-
1I
SettheAuto/ManualControlSwitch @                      ,
to the manualposition(" M ").
                                                                                                                                                                                       ,, 4l
 rr4
Set the correct ASA f ilm speed on the   w
C a l c u l a t o rD i a l @
,^Io
Focusyourcameraand estimatethe distancef romthef lashto
subject.Youcan usuallydo this "by eye" or you can referto the
distanceindicatedon the cameralens barrelafterfocusing.


Readthe f / stop indicatedoppositethe
distancescaleon the CalculatorDial
and set thisf/stop on your cameralens.
                                                             \\
Example:lf you are 15 f eet f rom your
subjOctand you are usingKodachrome
 ll (ASA25), set the lensf /stop to t4.
 F
 l\\.,
Slide the On-Off Switch @ to the "ON"
 p o s i t i o n .

                       12

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   You'rereadyto shoot... lF:

                     1) YOURREADYLtcHT
                                            I S O N
                                     2) YOUR AUTO/MANUAL
                         CONTROLSWITCHIS IN
    3) YOURPC CORDtS          THE PROPERPOSITION
    PROPERLYPLUGGEDINI
    4) YOU HAVESETTHE,l
    CORRECTF/STOPON
    YOURCAMERALENS

    5) YOURSHUTTERtS
    COCKED


I
I





                          1 3

Gameraswith built-inwww.orphancameras.comautomatic
flash control

Manynewcamerashavea uniquefeaturewhichautomatically
setsthe correctexposurefor flash as you focus.For the
cameraand Vivitar281 to operateautomaticallytogetheryou
mustset the properguidenumberon the GuideNumber
 Scaleof your camera(referto your camerainstructionsfor
the locationof the GuideNumberRing).The properf lash
 guidenumbercorrespondingto the ASA film speedyou are
 usingis indicatedon the chartbelow:

ASAfilm speed   25 64 80 100 125 160 200 1ry_8_0!
 FlashGuideNo.  60 95 110 120 130 150 170 240 330
 Nofe; Make sure the Auto/ManualControlSwitch@  is in
 the manual position ( " M " ) .





                          1 4

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Wide angle attachment

 Your Vivitar Model 281 is supplied with a Wide Angle Attach-
 ment @  *hich snaps on the front of your flash. Use of this
 attachmentincreasesthe angle of illuminationof your flash
 to a pattern of 70o Horizontal,70" Verticalwhich is an ad-
 vantage when using extreme wide angle lenses.
 Note:When using the Wide Angle Attachment,allow one f /stop
 increasein exposure.This holds true for the manual mode.

 Example:lf the llluminatedCalcutatorDial@ indicatesf4 and
 you are usingthe WideAngleAttachment,set the lensto t2.8.





After you're finished shooting

Let it glow!
Do not discharge(flash)the unit beforeputtingit away.
 It'sbetterto leavethe ready light glowing. The next time you
useit, yourflashunitwill "reform"fasterand this procedure
willinsurethe longlifeof yourequipment.
Use the case
Storingyour unit in the convenientcarryingcasewill protect
it fromaccidentaldamageand keepit lookinglike new.

                          1 5

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Helpfulhints

Shadows
To avoidharshshadowsin your pictures,positionyour sub-
jectsat least3 to 4 feetfromwallsor use "bounceflash."
Mirrors
Nevershootflashpicturesstraightinto mirrors,glass,or
otherhighlyreflectivesurfaces.Reflectionswill resultand
causepoor pictures.Standat an angleso thatany reflec-
tionswill be directedawayfrom the camera.Hint:lf you
can'tseeyourselfin the mirror,you'resafe.
Bounce flash
Soft,subtlylightedpictureswhich mostcloselyresemble
openshadelightingconditionscan be achievedby "bounc-
ing" the lightfromyourflashunitoff a ceilingthatis not
too high.Aim the flashgun at the ceiling(you'llhaveto re-
movethe flashfrom your camera)and allowan increaseof
abouttwo full f /stopsto compensatefor the lossof light
intensityunderaverageconditions.


                                                                                               ttt'
                                                                         ,"'               \                                                   {




                       Open cameralens
                             2 additionalf/stops

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Groupshots
Don'tlosesomeof yourfriendsin the shadows!Be surethat
thewholegroupis aboutthe samedistancef romthe camera.
lf you'renot carefulpeopleclosestto the camerawill be
"washed-out,"and thosefurthestawaywill be dark because
not enoughlightreachedtheirspot in the picture.
Ffash fill
outdoors,electronicflashis usedextensivelyby profession-
als to "fill-in" shadbwareas.lt softenshardshadows
resultingfrom brightsunlightand is particularlyusefulwith
colorfilm whichcan only recorda limitedcontrastrange.
Thereare timeswhenthe sun disappears,but the picture
callsfor sunlight.The electronicflashcan then be usedas
the mainlightand verysuccessfullysimulatesunlight.





Hardshadowsresult    Electrbnicf lash f ills in
from directsunlight.   shadowareas.





                         1 7

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Synchronization sPeed
Whentakingf lash pictureswith your Vivitar281 alwaystry
to use the fastestpossiblecamerashutterspeedthat pro-
videsfull electronicflashsynchronization(referto your cam-
erainstructionsf or thisinformation).Thiseliminates"ghoStS"
or blurryimagesof brightlylit objectsin the background.
Stop-action
The flashdurationof the Vivitar281variesf rom 1/1000sec'
to about1/30,000sec.Thisextremelyfastflashduration
can be usedadvantageouslyto obtainvery creativepictures
whenthe flashis set to the Auto modeand is closeto the
 subjectbeingphotographed(approx.2 tt).
 Picturesof balloonsbursting,glassbreakingor shattering,
watersplashing anclothermotionstoppingeffects can easily
 be achieved.
 For properSynChronization,Setcamerato "8" operation,
 photographyour subjectin a dark area,and shortcircuitthe
 PC contactsby usingswitchesmadeof aluminumfoil or
 othersmallpiecesof wire in such a mannerthatcontactwill
 be madeat the momentit is mostdesirableto obtainan
 exposure.





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