Need the coiled flash for the vivitar283 flash

just to exclude anything faulty, start with the flash on the camera and check if it works. Also check the camera settings. On your Nikon you can chose flash off. Don't do that. If you get the flash working on the camera then you starts with the extension cord and it still should flash in the same conditions.

Did you get the cord with the flash unit, If so then try that to see if it's the camera, Cords are cheap to buy if you didn't rec it,

Nikon AS-15:
http://shop.nikonusa.com/store/nikonusa/en_US/pd/productID.213519300

I assume you're asking about the 283, not the DF-283 which is compatible with digital cameras.

As for the 283, yes, if you put an adapter such as the Wein Safe-Sync between the camera and the flash. Under no circumstances should the flash be mounted directly on the camera.

No the 283 is not compatible with your camera. The 283 is manual only and not TTl. The canon flash is also not compatible with your Olympus. You need an olympus compatible flash.

the nikon D80 has a 250 volts safe range and i have the same issue but readin on the internet i learned that yo can now the voltage of your flash with a voltage metter ond the hot soe.

Vivitar 283 has diferent ranges of voltages depending on the year of fabrication so older ones can achieve 300 volts and earlier have 230 volts so the best is to get a vivitar 285hv for about 75dollars or a safe sync for about 55dollars, you can find all on ebay or other brouser the safe sync converts up to 400 volts to a safe 6 volts that are yust the normal voltage for digital flashes.

I think there are some listed on Ebay-check it out.

for the venerable 283?.... http://www.hiviz.com/activities/guidebook/sensor.pdf
didnt find a manual online yet.... such a simple elegant reliable flash though ..should be no mystery to figure out without a manual...good luck

http://www.hiviz.com/activities/guidebook/sensor.pdf....perhaps this is a help.. not sure..

To test everything except the camera, just short the contacts on the Wein protector. If the flash fires, the problem is in your camera, and maybe the protector did not do its job as good as expected.

Good luck