I'm obviously a beginner, and I was wondering if getting an "auto flash" kit with a vivitar V3800n slr 35mm manual with a 28-70mm lens would be useful with b&w.
let me know, thanks!

A: Buy a Vivitar 283 or 285 flash with the off-camera remote sensor and the bracket designed for it. You'll have plenty of control - 4 auto settings + manual. Check at keh.com or bhphotovideo.com or adorama.com or eBay.

I'm still using a 283 I bought new in Feb. of 1976. Yes, a 32 yr. old flash still going strong. In fact, I used it last Nov. with my 30 yr. old Minolta XG-9 to photograph my daughter's 30th. birthday party.

The corrosion looked minimal. (I've certainly seen and repaired much worse.) I cleaned the connections thoroughly with my Dremmel, but to my surprise, it's still dead as a door nail. Could there be unseen inner corrosion that I could clean outif I take it all apart? It came with a great vintage Canon and I'm dying to get it up & running. I priced new flashes and forget it. I am broke as a joke. Any thoughts?

A: Hello Kelly.

If the corrosion has spread into the inner parts then the flash is probably not worth the effort. Of course it wouldn't hurt to try.

You might check eBay for a Vivitar 283. Excellent flash. I still use one I bought in 1976.

I have a nikon FM3, a Vivitar flasha nd I can't remember what the colored wheel is on the side? I know how to set it up on my camera body- but not the settings.

A: I am not familiar with your exact model, but it sounds like it is a variable output flash.

Spin the dial around until the ISO (same as ASA) lines up in a window or by some sort of indicator. Then, there will be (typically) a red and blue marker. There would be a switch or some device to select the output of the flash that is also color coded. Set the flash to one of the colors. Look on the dial for the corresponding color. The mark will line up with an f-stop number. Set...