Christmas present - got 550EX - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/25/2003 07:57:06 AM · #1

Woohooo!!

This thing rocks. Suddenly all those portraits where people said, "Use fill flash" are just bad memories. Photo'd the family today and WOW! Big difference.

Thanks Santa (and wife)

;)

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

12/25/2003 09:54:19 AM · #2

Show us show us!!!! :-D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/25/2003 10:08:33 AM · #3

Woo hoo. Santa Claus rocks. You're going to love that flash. I couldn't live without mine.

welcher

Canon EOS-5D

12/25/2003 10:52:57 AM · #4

OK, you guys gotta fill me in on these nice external flashes. I avoid using the onboard flash at all costs because of the harsh light and even-more-harsh shadows it casts. Do these nice external units avoid these types of problems? How? I mean, light is light, right?

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

12/25/2003 11:38:11 AM · #5

Light is light, however it depends how the light hits the subject. With the onboard flash, the light is hitting the subject directly. I always, if at all possible, use bounce flash. That is, I bounce the light off a ceiling or a wall. This gives off a much more flattering light. For example:

Direct flash (look at the harsh shadows and the light on the hair)
Bounce off the ceiling

Another example:
Direct Flash
Bounce Flash

You'll hear people say to always avoid using a flash. Horse puckies! Use a flash correctly and you'll get great results.

Message edited by author 2003-12-25 11:39:32.

WildflowerJoy

Nikon D90

12/25/2003 12:13:48 PM · #6

You'll hear people say to always avoid using a flash. Horse puckies! Use a flash correctly and you'll get great results.[/quote]

What kind of flash do you use and how do you bounce it?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/25/2003 01:03:05 PM · #7

I use the Canon 550EX flash. I tilt the flash head towards the ceiling (at approx. 45 degrees, or sometimes straight up). The head also moves from left to right. Some non DSLRs have a hot shoe, so you can mount an external flash on it. I used my Powershot G2 and 550EX on a tripod to shoot pictures for My Gear Page.. Yeah, my G2 looks pretty badass with the great big 550EX on top of it :)

Originally posted by WildflowerJoy:

You'll hear people say to always avoid using a flash. Horse puckies! Use a flash correctly and you'll get great results.

What kind of flash do you use and how do you bounce it?[/quote]

welcher

Canon EOS-5D

12/25/2003 01:07:48 PM · #8

That does it! The photo of the girl on the phone sealed it for me. Must....get....good....flash.

No more ISO 3200 indoors trying to avoid using a flash!

You every try to slave some other flashes with the 550?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/25/2003 01:12:06 PM · #9

Nope, but my next purchase is a 420EX (for slave) and a wireless transmitter. That'll rock.

Originally posted by welcher:

sonnyh

Canon EOS-7D

12/25/2003 02:19:00 PM · #10

Think I'll be checking out that flash myself. I always hated flash but that picture made me think twice also. What price range are we talking about and what is the make of the 550EX?

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon

12/25/2003 02:47:03 PM · #11

The Canon 550EX is approx. $320 and the Canon 420EX is approx. $180. The 420Ex has a little less output power, but will give you the same results.

Originally posted by sonnyh:

Think I'll be checking out that flash myself. I always hated flash but that picture made me think twice also. What price range are we talking about and what is the make of the 550EX?

Rooster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

12/25/2003 02:50:49 PM · #12

Jacko,

you have some serious gear! Kinda jealous but in a good way! :)

rj324

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/25/2003 03:00:34 PM · #13

Originally posted by Jacko:

The Canon 550EX is approx. $320 and the Canon 420EX is approx. $180. The 420Ex has a little less output power, but will give you the same results.

Originally posted by sonnyh:
Think I'll be checking out that flash myself. I always hated flash but that picture made me think twice also. What price range are we talking about and what is the make of the 550EX?

Any cheaper brands that you know I can buy and have or almost similar results? Thanks!

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/25/2003 07:00:13 PM · #14

You definitely want to try this thread as it was my education on different flashes. I originally purchased a $70 flash unit that was totally useless (and I'm not exaggerating here). Canon's D-SLR cameras only use E-TTL flash units. Based on the links in this thread I found only 3 companies that make compatible flash units (Canon & I don't remember the other two but you can find them).

I'd suggest the 420EX or the 550EX. Makes 100% difference. You can look through my portraits via the PBase link at the end of this message and see that the main problem I've had has been "fill flash". I used to use that flash unit that wasn't E-TTL and time after time people would comment that I needed to use fill flash. Talk about frustrating. I thought I was. It wasn't until EddyG and natator put me in touch with this information that I finally knew what I needed and today I got it. I'm still working out the bounce flash but I have over 200 photos that show marked improvement and it had nothing to do with me; it was totally based on using compatible equipment. I'll try to sift through some shots and post some good ones that have more artistic value than just that they are of my daughter's 1st Christmas. Thanks again to everyone that helped me to learn about this issue for Canon cameras and thanks to Jacko for supplying evidence of the usefulness of bounced flash.

Kev

Spork99

OM System OM-1

12/25/2003 11:42:27 PM · #15

I recently bought a 420EX for use on my G5. I have to say that I was hesitant to drop $180 on a flash, but this thing kicks butt. Just bounce it. Jacko is the bounce master, he's had the practice.

Kneeforu

Nikon D70s

12/25/2003 11:49:16 PM · #16

With the Nikon SB-80 DX the pinciple is the same, boune is great! I don't know about the 550EX, but I can raise a small white card that acts as a small reflector so you can combine bounce and some direct flash to take shadows off of a face etc....

Bounce but play with bounce angles, how tall the ceilings are, etc....and have fun!

hortopth

Canon EOS-D60

12/26/2003 12:48:37 AM · #17

Originally posted by welcher:

I avoid using the onboard flash at all costs because of the harsh light and even-more-harsh shadows it casts.

Don't forget you can turn down the onboard flash on your camera (although nothing can be done about the shadows)

sonnyh

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/26/2003 12:22:53 PM · #18

The Canon 550EX is approx. $320 and the Canon 420EX is approx. $180. The 420Ex has a little less output power, but will give you the same results.

Thanks for the info --I will check it out for sure.

sonnyh

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/26/2003 12:31:19 PM · #19

Jacko, just looked at your equipment page -- you have too much disposable cash. LOL

xcharrier

Canon EOS-1D X

12/26/2003 01:29:03 PM · #20

Originally posted by Jacko:

Jacko... I noticed that you have the RS-80N3 remote switch. Is this a sufficent remote or would there be a drastic advantage with the TC-80N3? I'm trying to figure out if I can justify the $70 price difference.

Also, does anyone have an opinion on this flash?
//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2974457352&category=15221&rd=1
It's suppose to be E-TTL

Message edited by author 2003-12-26 13:29:35.

dwoolridge

12/26/2003 03:32:15 PM · #21

Originally posted by xcharrier:

You can read some more info about the TC-80N3 here. If you're interested in astrophotography (or 30+ second exposures via bulb or stacking) or time-lapse photography, there's no comparing the two remotes.

Message edited by author 2003-12-26 15:32:44.

KevinRiggs

Canon EOS-1Ds

12/26/2003 03:38:50 PM · #22

I tried to get the RS-80N3 but no one has them in stock and B&H called me and made me cancel my order for one after about a month and a half and I bought the TC-80N3 instead (much more expensive). At first I was bummed 'cause I didn't want to go in for that much but I've used mine on several shots already. If you can find one of the remote switches then it'll be just fine for tripod work where you don't need time-lapse (and who does) or extended exposures where you can walk away or sit down and the control will handle everything for you. I've used mine for astrophotography but as I didn't have the exact coordinates for my location the motor on the telescope was off a little and anything over about 8 seconds begins to show a wobbling subject. The only multiminute photo I took ended up having the subject twirl its way out of the frame.