Flash Question

I have a Vivitar 283 flash that I use for my Pentax ME Super, and I was wondering if I could use that flash for my Canon EOS Rebel Gii?

It depends.

The various auto flash exposure functions built into the EOS system cameras won't work with the Vivitar 283, so the only auto flash function available will be the auto on the Vivitar flash.

I am assuming that your camera has a hot shoe with multiple contacts. The Vivitar will just have two contacts (one on the bottom, and the other at the side of the foot). You have to be careful mounting the flash, in order not to damage the other contacts.

The more important problem turns on how old the Vivitar flash is. The 283 has been made for decades. Some of the 283s used a very high trigger voltage. Your camera could be damaged if you use one of those high voltage flashes.

Here is a link that includes a lot of information about flash trigger voltages. Note the information for your flash.

http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

Thanks.

I guess that I can't use it because mine says made in Japan and those are suppose to be the oldest ones.

Because the camera is so new, only 7 to 8 years old, could I just go buy a flash that is made for a new Canon DSLR?

I wouldn't be using 3rd party anything on a Canon EOS flash system. It's one of the few things I swear by using Canon EOS equipment. 3rd party lenses, OK, 3rd party grips and battery packs, OK, 3rd party flashes, not happening.

You can find Canon flashes for cheap, I found my 540EZ for 50 bucks. It's a 580ex without E-TTL capability and you can't control other flashes with it. It's plenty of flash for your Rebel.

+1 about the bay & flashes.
But if you really must use the 283 get a "Safe-Sync" It's going to cost as much as the other flash though

A cheaper, and possibly more desirable third option; go with a cheap Chinese/eBay wireless flash trigger/receiver set.
The trigger attaches to the camera hot shoe, (or for some older cameras, connected via a PC Sync cord),
and the flash unit is connected to the wireless receiver.
The flash unit with the receiver can then be used off camera, opening-up a whole new aspect for your flash photography.
Three birds with one stone. Off camera flash, no PC Sync flash cords to trip over, and safe voltage sync No worries.
Depending on how many receivers you get, this option is about half the price of a Wein Safe Sync adapter.

Thanks everyone for the help.

I might look into the transmitter and receiver, which will come in handy even if I were to get another flash.