help with flash!

paulgandersman

paulgandersman

Well-known member
okay so i bought a flash for my GH1. the Vivitar DF-383. from b&h. I didn't realize there are multiple versions for different cameras though! I bought the -pen version which is meant for pentax cameras and the -pana version is meant for panasonic cameras. BUT, this flash is working on my GH1. i am just very new to using flashes and dont know if I should send it back and get the correct one even though this one seems to be working (as in when I click the shutter it flashes). but since i'm so new to flashes, i'm not sure if i'm not realizing that the features aren't working or something.

this is the flash im talking about:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600864-REG/Vivitar_DF_383_PEN_DF_383_Series_1.html

and here's the panasonic version:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/600867-REG/Vivitar_DF_383_PANA_DF_383_Series_1.html
 
oh and, i know this isnt really a still camera forum, i just don't know where else to go for any answers!

and i guess to be more specific in my question, is there a difference between these two flashes other than the -pen vs. -pana?
 
I don't see a physical difference in the bodies of the flashes. Are these hot shoe flashes? If so, its possible the camera may not fully speak the same language as the flash and full communication between the two isn't happening. I know on my Nikon SB-800s I can controll all the flash functions from the menu screen of the camera whether the flash is on or off the camera. But I'm not familiar with the GH1/Vivitar combo and if the two can communicate that way. If they are supposed to and they're not then return it for the proper flash unit.
 
Does the flash have more than one pin at the shoe? If so it can communicate with the camera; send it back and get the Panasonic version. In fact since there're different variants for different brands suggest that these are TTL flashes.
 
The best flash for the G1/GH1 is the Oly FL-36 or FL-36R. It is cheaper than the Panny version and will give you full TTL (thru the lens metering). You're much better off with the correct model. You can shoot with other flashes in A or M mode but you'll lose the automatic functionality.

Cheers,
 
yeah it doesnt seem to be fully working correctly in AUTO mode, taking pictures WAY to bright and way overexposed. just gonna have to send it back to b&h and get the correct one (as I can't afford the olympus one thats about 80 bucks more :/)
 
In auto mode mode you need to match the camera's and flash's ISO and aperture setting.
 
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