Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 03:38 PM 7/30/00 -0400, Joe Sobel wrote: >Every 283 or 285 I have used requires voltage that is on the high side, so >battery life >with alkalines has been relatively short. Try finding a used Quantum unit, >with cords. I use the 285HV with the newer Panasonic Plus (or similar) alkalines. I use flash most often with my SLRs for weddings. I shoot with Portra 800 and so can set the flash at 1/16 power and shoot comfortably with an almost instant recycle time at f/8 for 4 or 5 hours. At f/8 everything up to 20 ft. is in proper flash range and I have a moderate DOF for aid in focusing with my growing older eyes and darker VF. If I am shooting longer than 20ft. I open up one or two stops as needed. If you are trying this, keep in mind that some of the older models of 285HV have a distance scale that only goes to 400 iso so I set the actual vari-power dial (on the front) to 1/16 and the film speed dial to 400 at 1/4 power to get the proper distance scale for 800 iso. I tend to not rely on the colour coded auto settings as I am more comfortable with the manual and know how much juice I can get for what period of time. The auto settings drain the batteries differently. I keep several sets of AAs with me just in case, but rarely have to change during an actual shoot. I change the batteries out when they start to lag to 5 seconds recycle time. (We use the used 80% batteries for other less demanding AA appliances in our house.) I have tried the Quantum and it is a great battery for a flash on a stand with an umbrella, but I really can't stand yet another cord flopping round in front of my lens and getting tangled in my flash bracket as I switch from horizontal to vertical. Nor do I need something else heavy to sling over my shoulder or clip on my belt as with a using a Quantum hand held. This looks like a neat product though if the alkalines just don't cut it for your shooting needs: http://www.underdog-battery.com/. I got my 285 from a grunt in the Army for $10 because it had a broken shoe. I felt bad for him so I also gave him a cheap but flashy 'Underground' unit that I had so that he could have flash for his AE Program. I gave the 285 to my repair dept. and 5 minutes later had a practically new unit. That was 1987 and I have used it a LOT, had good luck and not broken another shoe on it yet. As I said earlier, they are nice flashes but a bit too large for an M. Carpe Luminem, Michael E. Berube