A dedicated auto bounce flash unit for Pentax (usable on digital), Minolta and Olympus SLR cameras, with TTL on some models

• A quality Vivitar flash unit
• Tilt head for bounce flash
• 2 auto and manual modes
• TTL automatic flash control
• Guide no 24m/80ft (ISO 100)
• Dedicated to Pentax SLRs
• TTL on *ist D DS DS2 DSLR
• TTL on the Samsung GX-1S
• Dedicated to Minolta SLRs
• Dedicated to Olympus SLRs
• Includes copy of instructions
• Includes Alkaline batteries

Vivitar was one of the top independent lens and accessory brands, and this 550FD M/P/O flashgun is compact and lightweight with a bounce head, and provides various levels of dedicated automatic operation with many Minolta, Pentax and Olympus SLR cameras. It's in very good condition, fully working order, supplied with a copy of the instructions plus batteries. Please read the full description for more important information. 

The flash head can be tilted up to 90 degrees for bounce flash. This gives much softer, more natural lighting than direct flash. Guide number is 24m (80 feet) with ISO 100 film. Very comprehensive scales on the rear of the flash include apertures from f/1.4 to f/22, distances from 1.5 to 18m (5 to 60 feet) and film speeds from ISO 64 to 1600. Two standard auto modes are available, plus manual. The normal auto modes work with all cameras, and offer ranges of 2-12m (6-40 feet) and 1-6m (3-20 feet) at f/2 and f/4 respectively with ISO 100 film. In TTL and manual modes, the range depends on the film speed and lens maximum aperture. With an f/1.4 lens and ISO 400 film, the theoretical maximum range is up to around 27m (86 feet), though as with all flash units actual range will depend on the conditions.

The flash is dedicated with suitable Minolta, Pentax and Olympus 35mm SLR cameras, plus Pentax digital SLRs and some others (see below). On many cameras, dedicated auto mode sets the shutter speed automatically and displays a flash ready indication in the viewfinder. Programmed auto flash is available on later cameras, where both shutter speed and aperture are set automatically. Full TTL (Through The Lens), OTF (Off The Film) flash metering is available on suitable film and some early digital cameras. This is the most accurate flash system available, with readings taken directly from the film during the exposure. It works with any aperture, and automatically allows for filters and close up accessories.

The flash is nicely made, measures around 110mm (4.3") tall and weighs only approximately 180g (6.4oz) without batteries. A locking wheel allows the flash to be fixed tightly to the camera's hot shoe. Even the battery compartment is semi-captive, so can't easily be dropped, broken or lost. Power is supplied by 4x standard AA batteries, and disposable alkaline (included) or rechargeable NiCd or NiMH types can be used.

An excellent flashgun for many Minolta, Pentax and Olympus users.

Condition: Excellent+++ (8.5/10)
The flash is in very good condition and fully working order, and has been checked on our Pentax *ist D digital SLR camera. The movements and controls work positively. Cosmetically it has just some small surface marks here and there in the plastic finish. The battery contacts are clean and work fine. The instructions are an A5 copy (in English) and quite legible.

No cracks, splits or other damage, and overall it's in nice shape.
Includes instructions (copy) and 4x Alkaline AA batteries. At the time of listing we have more than one of this flash, but the pictures and description here are representative of all of them.

Compatibility
This flash is dedicated to suitable Minolta, Pentax and Olympus SLR cameras (and can be used on many others), as follows:

Pentax manual focus, AF and digital
The flash can be used with any 35mm, digital or medium format Pentax SLR camera with a hot shoe, and offers many dedicated auto features with suitable cameras, as follows:

Dedicated auto flash works on models such as the ME Super, ME-F, MG, MV and MV-1, plus the digital *ist DL, DL2, K100D, K100D Super, K110D, K200D, K10D, K20D, K-30, K-50, K-70, K-500, K-m (K2000), K-x, K-r, K-S1, K-1, K-1 II, K-S2, KP, K-3, K-3 II, K-5, K-5 II, K-5 IIs, K-7 and K-01 plus the Samsung GX-1L, GX-10 and GX-20 models. The shutter speed is set automatically when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder. Not compatible with program or P-TTL modes on the digital models.

Programmed auto flash works on the Program A (Program Plus), A3 (A3000), P30 (P3), P30N (P3N), P30T (P3T), P50 (P5) and MZ-M (ZX-M). Shutter speed and/or aperture can be set automatically (depending on the exposure mode) when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder.

Programmed TTL Auto flash works on the Super A (Super Program), SFX (SF1), SFXn (SF1n), SF7 (SF10), Z-1 (PZ-1), Z-1P (PZ-1P), Z-5, Z-5p, Z-10 (PZ-10), Z-20 (PZ-20), Z-50p, Z-70 (PZ-70), MZ-3, MZ-5 (ZX-5), MZ-5n (ZX-5n), MZ-6, MZ-7 (ZX-7), MZ-10 (ZX-10), MZ-30 (ZX-30), MZ-50 (ZX-50), MZ-60 (ZX-60), MZ-S and *ist, plus the *ist D, DS, DS2 and Samsung GX-1S digital SLRs (in TTL mode), 645, 645N and 645NII. Shutter speed and/or aperture can be set automatically (depending on the exposure mode) when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder. Not compatible with P-TTL mode on the digital models.

TTL Auto flash works on the LX (with hot shoe viewfinders), and the Pentax 67 II with a Hot Shoe Grip and Sync Cord (not included). The shutter speed is set automatically when the flash is charged, and flash ready status is shown in the viewfinder.

Auto or manual (non-dedicated) flash modes work on older Pentax cameras with a hot shoe such as the Spotmatic II, IIa, F, Electro Spotmatic, ES and ES II, ME, MX, KM, KX, K2, K2 DMD, K1000, EI-2000 digital and many others.

Minolta 35mm cameras
This flash will work with all Minolta manual focus SLR cameras, plus the CLE rangefinder. Dedicated automatic setting of shutter speed in appropriate modes, with flash ready signal in the viewfinder on the XG-1, XG-2, XG-7, XG-9, XG-A, XG-M, X-300 (X-370), X-300s (X-370N), X-7A, X-9 and other XG and X models, the XD, XD-5, XD-7 and XD-11, plus the Centon DF-300 and some recent Soligor and Seagull Minolta-mount cameras, which are clones of the Minolta X models. Full TTL (Through The Lens) OTF (Off The Film) auto flash operation on the X-500 (X-570), X-700 and the CLE rangefinder camera, for the most accurate exposures possible. This system was originally invented by Minolta, and since licensed to many other manufacturers. All flashes should be discharged and switched off before fitting to the CLE. Auto daylight fill-in flash with the X-500 (X-570) using the exposure lock. Fully auto program flash operation on the X-700.

NOT suitable for Minolta Dynax/Maxxum AF cameras (though a Minolta adapter was available – not included), Konica Minolta or Sony digital cameras which use a different type of flash shoe.

Olympus (and Praktica) 35mm cameras
For all Olympus OM SLR cameras, and suitable Praktica models which use the same dedicated flash system. TTL auto flash control is available on the Olympus OM-2, OM-2N (these models require the appropriate Olympus flash shoe), OM-2 Spot Program (OM-2S), OM-4, OM-4ti (OM-4t), OM40 (OMPC), OM101 (OM88) and OM707 (OM77AF), plus the Praktica BX20 and BX20S. Manual and conventional (non-TTL) auto operation is used on the Olympus OM-1, OM-1N (these models require the appropriate Olympus flash shoe), OM-3, OM-3ti, OM-2000 and Praktica B cameras. Viewfinder flash ready indication on the OM-1N and OM-3 models. Manual and conventional (non-TTL) dedicated auto operation is used on the Olympus OM10, OM10FC, OM10 Quartz Date, OM20 (OMG) and OM30 (OMF), plus Praktica BC 1, BC 3, BMS and Jenaflex cameras, with the shutter speed set automatically.

Olympus digital cameras use a completely different dedicated flash system, but this flash will work with shutter speed and aperture set manually on the camera in M mode, and auto exposure controlled by the flash depending on the distance.

Other cameras
Not recommended for other makes of camera with dedicated flash features, but will work on non-dedicated cameras with a normal hot shoe. This includes many digital cameras with a standard (single pin) hot shoe such as the popular Fujifilm and Panasonic models, and many others. Many older flashguns have high trigger voltages – sometimes hundreds of volts – which can theoretically damage modern electronic cameras. We've tested this flash, and it has a low trigger voltage of under 5.5v, which should be suitable for most cameras. The ISO standard specifies 24v, and even the most voltage-intolerant models usually accept up to 6v.