Learning to use a Vivitar flash will open many options for shooting in all lighting situations.
Vivitar makes a less-expensive flash that works well in most, if not all, photographic situations. Using a Vivitar flash is no different than using a flash from any other manufacturer. By following a few simple steps, your images will contain the proper light from your flash at a lower cost than using the major brands.
Instructions
1. Place the flash on the hot-shoe of the camera, located at the top of the SLR, or single lens reflex, camera. All SLRs and most high-end point-and-shoot cameras will have a place at the top of the camera for a flash called the hot-shoe.
2. Screw the locking device on the flash, located where the flash connects to the hot-shoe, clockwise until tight and turn the device on. If the connection to the camera is not tight, the flash will not read the settings from the camera, and the images will be over-exposed or have too much flash power for the camera settings.
3. Set the flash settings to match the camera settings before firing the flash. This step will vary dramatically based on the model of the flash and the type of settings available on our camera. The settings for the flash are found on the back of the device and will indicate the necessary settings to coordinate with the camera (see Resources for additional information). Vivitar flashes will range from the most basic settings to the high-end professional flash settings seen on Nikon, Canon or Leica equipment.
4. Press the test button on the back of the flash, usually a green button at the base of the flash, to be sure the device fires a flash and recycles quickly. After a flash is fired, it will take a few moments for it to regenerate for the next flash. The speed at which the flash recycles will vary depending on the strength of the batteries. If the recycle is slow, place new batteries in the device. If you will be firing many flashes for a long duration of time and need fast flash recycling, consider using a battery pack attached to the flash to keep the device charged and ready to fire rapidly.
5. Shoot an image with the flash and check the LCD on the back of the camera, if the device is digital, to ensure that the settings on both the flash and the camera are correct. If you notice "hot spots" or sections of the image that are blown out and overexposed, turn down the settings on the flash or adjust the shutter speeds or aperture on the camera accordingly.
Tags: camera settings, settings flash, camera settings flash, device will, flash recycles, flash settings, flash will