Vivitar 365

rusty_tripod · Aug 8, 2004

Does anyone know the guide number vor Vivitar 365 Zoom Thyristor? Not listed on Vivitar web site.
Thanks

Rusty Tripod

glbeas · Aug 8, 2004

Seeing how it's a thyristor model with a variable power output I assume you are taliking about on manual at full power. Doesn't it have a dial on it or something similar to tell you what f/stop to use? Setting the asa to 100 and multiplying the f/stop indicated by the max distance should give a close value. Of course testing is best and if you can get a good flashmeter to check it with even better.
I hope I got that right, it's been a while since I've ever worried about such details. I usually just grab the flash meter and check things out like that.

Konical · Aug 8, 2004

Good Evening, Rusty,

Gary's advice above is good. I just checked my 365; it looks as if the manual guide number (for feet) should be around 150-160.

Konical

Konical · Aug 8, 2004

My post immediately above should have mentioned that the info is for E. I. 100.

Konical

rusty_tripod · Aug 9, 2004

Gary, the only numbers on the unit refer to the angle for bounce. I wish it had a dial or reference scale. I made a note somewhere that suggested the guide number is 160. If that means f16 at 10 feet for ASA100 film, I am then trying to figure the settings for ASA 400 film. I suspect they would be a 2 stop difference, f32 at 10 feet. Unfortunately, my camera syncs at 1/60 and my 50mm. lens only goes to F16, so it may be too strong for ASA400. Any thoughts?

I have not used the flash enough to know how to work with it. I need to record my classroom for my master's project, so I have got to force myself to use it. I may have to resort to the old Vivitar 2000.

Thanks for your feedback guys.

Rusty

Konical · Aug 9, 2004

Good Morning, Rusty,

May I assume from your last post that you do NOT have the separate variable sensor which normally accompanies the 365 flash? If not, you are stuck with using it in manual mode. Your estimate is correct; according to the info on my sensor, your E. I. 400 guide number (for feet) should be around 320.

The 365 is a good powerful unit; I normally use mine in manual mode as a supplementary flash to bounce off a ceiling or other reflective surface.

Konical

John Koehrer · Aug 9, 2004

ND filter should do, either for the lens or over the flash tube.

rusty_tripod · Aug 9, 2004

Nope, Konical, I do not have the variable sensor. I bought the thing on eBay and have used it manually. I tried some shots in the house yesterday that were a little overexposed. I figured to do the bounce next time to check the outcomes. It has been a reliable unit, but I have not used it enough to perfect it for my needs. Now that I have a decent amount of film, I will play around with it a little more.

I wonder if I could find a reliable sensor on eBay for a modest price. There is a website that sells the manual. Peharps, I ought to try that.

Thanks for your response. Rusty

glbeas · Aug 9, 2004

I found a place that sells copies of the manuals:

Dead Link Removed

Don't know if I'd pay that much but if its what you want and no one else has it.....

PS. notice theres another on on Ebay right now pretty cheap with ALL the bells and whistles.

pkerr · Sep 12, 2004

I have a couple of Vivitar 283's with missing sensors and found this information

http://www.hiviz.com/activities/guidebook/sensor.pdf

that shows how to hot wire a resistor accross the sensor contacts to get reduced power. I then discovered that Vivitar actually has a devide that plugs into the sensor socket to provide a calibrated version of this. VP-1 I think is the part number.

I'm assuming the 385 is a big cersion of the 285 which, I think uses the same sensor as the 283.

rusty_tripod · Sep 13, 2004

Thanks for the information. At this time I am trying to use it in manual mode. I will just have to restrict my usage with ASA 400 film. My 365 does not have a sensor hole as shown on the diagram, however.

Konical · Sep 13, 2004

Good Morning,

The sensors for the 283 and 285 are not the same as the sensor unit for the 365. The 365 requires the separate sensor unit for automatic operation; the 283 and 285 have built-in sensors located on the body of the flash.

Konical

Howard R. Tanger · Sep 14, 2004

rusty_tripod said:
Does anyone know the guide number vor Vivitar 365 Zoom Thyristor? Not listed on Vivitar web site.
Thanks

Rusty Tripod

Rusty Tripod:
My copy of "Advanced Lighting Techniques with Vivitar Electronic Flash Systems", Vivitar Corp. 1978, gives the guide # as 80 at ASA 25 (160 at ASA 100). Normal 50mm lens.

Wide/ GN 70 (140 @ ASA 100), 35mm lens.
Tele/ GN 100 (200 @ ASA 100), 105mm + lens.
Super Wide/ GN 35 (70 @ ASA 100), 21mm lens with adapter supplied

This should help somewhat, Howard Tanger

photoprof · Oct 8, 2005

Published guide numbers are never right, you must create your own based on actually taking pics. The procedure is simple, Set the flash 10 ft from a target and make a series of exposures, on any film, at one stop intervals. Look at the results and pick the one you like and multiply that stop by 10 and you have a usable accurate personal guide number based on your equipment and technique. A couple helpful hints...no notes-put the stop on a card in the scene and make it large. Putting the stops (2.8, thru 11 or more) around the edge lets you put a clamp (clothes pin) pointing to the stop without having to setup cards for each exposure. Whatever you do don't use a Macbeth chart if you don't have a transmission densitomer to read the film...they're worthless visually. If the info is on the film it's more helpful.

aoresteen · Apr 9, 2011

I created a list of part numbers for the Vivitar 365 flash and for future reference I'll post it here. If anyone has the missing parts numbers please fill in what's missing.

Description Item #
SB-5 AC Adapter 120/220 0239264
SB-5 220v 0239375
PC-1 12" shutter cord 0236300
PC-31 3 ft Coiled. Shutter cord 0236388
NC-4 Nicad Battery Pack 0239471
AP-2 Spare Alkaline Battery holder 0239493
Charge 60 60 minute charger for NC-4 0238360
CC-12 12 volt charger for NC-4 0237950
EC-1 3 meter Extension cord 0235129
UB-1 Umbrella with Bracket 0235680
SA-1 Sensor adapter (for bracket 35mm or 6x6) 0235886
WFK-1 Wide Angle Filter Kit 0235842
CB-35 25mm Bracket for Quick Release Pistol Grip 0238212
CR-1 Cable release 023835
CB-66 6x6 bracket for Quick Release Pistol Grip 0238223
LVP-1 Power Pack ( Eight C batteries )
FK-1 Filter kit
FK-2 Filter kit
WFK-2 Wide Angle Filter Kit
21mm Wide angle Pannel
Vari-Power 2
High Voltage Adapter HVA-365

I use C size NiCad cells and a Radio Shack Charger. I have two sets so keeping a freshly charged set is easy. Right now there are good deals on eBay for C sized nicad cells.

Faisal Sayeed · Aug 8, 2018

GN for Vivitar 365 should rate around 70 in meters (50mm ISO 100 ) or roughly 160 in feet. Its a very powerful and durable flash unit. Can be used as a main light or as kicker with Vari-Power 2 adapter. I have used with digital and film cameras and love the results. The light output is clean and very consistent. I have rigged my setup to work with radio triggers and lately used it with Godox X1T transmitter to get HSS. This flash worked flawlessly on location. If you need instructions how to set the rig for HSS or as fully manual location set, let me know.

AgX · Aug 8, 2018

The classic rule for establishing a GN is @100 IS0 and @ 35mm focal length coverage.

(In the long past it was @50 ASA and today manufacturers typically refer to tele-settings...)

Faisal Sayeed · Aug 8, 2018

Fact is that there is no standard way to express GN....this is very apparent from a wide ranging (and sometimes missleading numbers regularly quoted by manufacturers today of speedlights). I used the 50mm lens as it is most commonly refereed to as a normal lens....anything less would be wide angle or more would be tele. I do, appreciate your feed back. Cheers

Rick A · Aug 8, 2018

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/vivitar_365.pdf

Faisal Sayeed · Aug 8, 2018

This is great....thanks for sharing

GRHazelton · Aug 8, 2018

rusty_tripod said:
Does anyone know the guide number vor Vivitar 365 Zoom Thyristor? Not listed on Vivitar web site.
Thanks

Rusty Tripod

See this: http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/vivitar_365.pdf Mike Butkus is a national treasure. Do send him a contribution.

John Koehrer · Aug 8, 2018

Since this is from 2004 but no one has touched on it.
In manual mode the exposure is measured from the flash to the ceiling(wall) to the subject.
colors at the subject may be affected by the color of the reflecting surface.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 8, 2018

reliable flash exposures require a flash meter, guide numbers are unreliable.

Faisal Sayeed · Aug 9, 2018

John Koehrer said:
Since this is from 2004 but no one has touched on it.
In manual mode the exposure is measured from the flash to the ceiling(wall) to the subject.
colors at the subject may be affected by the color of the reflecting surface.

Yes...you are correct.

Faisal Sayeed · Aug 9, 2018

RalphLambrecht said:
reliable flash exposures require a flash meter, guide numbers are unreliable.

Yes...you are right. But then again, that's why they are called 'Guide Numbers'. Guide numbers are notorious for being unreliable, especially if you switch lenses, distance or use different light modifiers.

Vivitar 365

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