Written on: 13/12/2011 by wavegirl
I have owned one of these since the 80s. It's still going strong even though it's traveled all over the world with me, and even after a battery leaked all over the batter compartment. Stronger than anything I can find on the market today, it can be used as bounced off the ceiling for gorgeous soft lighting. You can find these cheap all over the place. Save yourself 300 quid and find a used one, preferably with the module for power variation. (read more)
Written on: 08/03/2011
That the Vivitar 283's production run lasted thirty years means that there's something really good about it. Too bad it has been discontinued. (read more)
Written on: 04/08/2008 by p a yates
Best none dedicated flash on the market. If you buy one also get the external sensor cord so you can use the flash off camera ie attached to a brolly to give soft light. (read more)
Written on: 26/07/2008 by crusader123
The Vivitar 283 is a really good value for money vivitar product. Fast recycle times, remote sensor feature, good battery life. (read more)
Written on: 10/12/2007
Cheap very well made very good auto exposure. (read more)
Written on: 09/02/2001 by Niladri Kar.
Vivitar 283 is perhaps the best non-TTL autoflash available. I have two of these wonderful flashes. They are highly reliable for indoor as well as outdoor flash photography. For some time I was forced to use built-in flash of my first compact SLR, Pentax zx-50. It was a very sad experience. Soon I discovered that this flash is virtually of no use except for use as fill-in flash in daylight. After I got Vivitar 283 the quality of night photography changed dramatically. No more underexposure... (read more)
Written on: 04/07/2003
I have used the Vivitar 283 with a Sto-fen diffuser on my Bronica ETRSi and have gotten spectacular results. It's a versatile flash that does a great job. You MUST read its documentation thoroughly to get the most out of it.
As rated by real users
"Flashy and functional" Read More
"One of the best ever made" Read More
"I have had time to use this fl..." Read More
"I already own both the Canon 5..." Read More
"I mostly do studio work, and h..." Read More
Windcruzer.'s Response to 894_Niladri Kar.'s Review
Written on: 11/09/2002
I burned out my 1980 Olympus OM-2 using the Vivitar 283.