Vivitar Zoom Thyristor 285
Name/Title
Vivitar Zoom Thyristor 285Entry/Object ID
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The Vivitar 285 (and its later "HV" variant) is arguably the most famous third-party flash unit ever produced. It became a legend among professional and amateur photographers alike for its extreme power, durability, and the "Thyristor" circuitry that revolutionized battery efficiency. Unlike basic flashes of the time, the 285 could "quench" its own flash tube mid-burst once its sensor detected enough light, allowing for near-instant recycling times during close-up shooting. This unit features a distinctive Vari-Power system. On the front, you’ll see a circular dial with four colored "Auto" modes and four manual power settings (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16). The "Auto" modes use the small sensor eye inside that dial to automatically adjust exposure—a precursor to modern TTL systems. The flash head both tilts for bounce lighting and "zooms" (the front lens pulls out) to adjust the spread of light to match 35mm, 50mm, or 105mm lenses.Category
Flash
Accessories