Speedlights - DPChallenge Forums

08/31/2010 10:59:14 PM · #26

Originally posted by photodude:

The built in wireless only works with branded speedlights, forcing you to buy flashes that cost multiples of what the generics cost - a very expensive proposition if you want 3-4 off camera flashes..

hmmmm. You'd have to tell that to my Sigma...it responds not only to my 7D's wireless, but my ST-E2 as well.

08/31/2010 11:01:04 PM · #27

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Nikon's CLS is perhaps the only reason I wish I shot Nikon instead of Canon....

The 7D and the newly announced 60D have wireless flash control in-body, my man. :-D

I know, but Nikon CLS is still significantly more advanced.

How so? I have an associate that has a D300s...his camera uses the same pulse from the pop-up flash that my 7D does. Unless you meant Nikon's SU commander?

08/31/2010 11:04:52 PM · #28

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by photodude:
The built in wireless only works with branded speedlights, forcing you to buy flashes that cost multiples of what the generics cost - a very expensive proposition if you want 3-4 off camera flashes..

hmmmm. You'd have to tell that to my Sigma...it responds not only to my 7D's wireless, but my ST-E2 as well.

Really? Which Sigma?

08/31/2010 11:07:29 PM · #29

Originally posted by david_c:

...and my Nikon D90.
For those interested on how to set it up:
//craigrtaylor.blogspot.com/2010/06/sigma-530-super-flash-in-wireless-ttl.html

I imagine the instructions would apply to the Canon variety as well though I make no guarantees.

FYI - you can use the Nikon on-camera flash to remotely trigger this and if you really have a hate on for TTL lighting then you can go manual and control it via the camera. So rather than running around adjusting your flashes you just go into a menu and adjust it there. Voila!

Message edited by author 2010-08-31 23:09:06.

08/31/2010 11:12:50 PM · #30

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Nikon's CLS is perhaps the only reason I wish I shot Nikon instead of Canon....

The 7D and the newly announced 60D have wireless flash control in-body, my man. :-D

I know, but Nikon CLS is still significantly more advanced.

How so? I have an associate that has a D300s...his camera uses the same pulse from the pop-up flash that my 7D does. Unless you meant Nikon's SU commander?

I'm speaking mostly of the control of groups of units and the multitude of feature inherent to CLS itself, which are constantly evolving.

08/31/2010 11:48:50 PM · #31

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by david_c:

hmmmm. You'd have to tell that to my Sigma...it responds not only to my 7D's wireless, but my ST-E2 as well.

Really? Which Sigma?

The one I posted earlier in the thread, EF-530 DG Super for Canon.

08/31/2010 11:53:04 PM · #32

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Nikon's CLS is perhaps the only reason I wish I shot Nikon instead of Canon....

The 7D and the newly announced 60D have wireless flash control in-body, my man. :-D

I know, but Nikon CLS is still significantly more advanced.

How so? I have an associate that has a D300s...his camera uses the same pulse from the pop-up flash that my 7D does. Unless you meant Nikon's SU commander?

I'm speaking mostly of the control of groups of units and the multitude of feature inherent to CLS itself, which are constantly evolving.

Yep, Canon does that, too. Not tryin' to bust your balls, FF, but Canon's on-body wireless implementation is at least as good as Nikon's. The only thing that pissed me off was being unable to do a rear-curtain sync wirelessly, but I'm pretty sure CLS doesn't handle that, either.

08/31/2010 11:56:07 PM · #33

That settles it... gonna have to start looking at that 7D :)

09/01/2010 12:05:25 AM · #34

Originally posted by david_c:

The only thing that pissed me off was being unable to do a rear-curtain sync wirelessly, but I'm pretty sure CLS doesn't handle that, either.

Lemme check...

09/01/2010 12:09:50 AM · #35

It does. And I got a really funky picture of my basement wall to prove it :)

09/01/2010 12:11:23 AM · #36

Originally posted by Citadel:

It does. And I got a really funky picture of my basement wall to prove it :)

LOL.

09/01/2010 12:12:21 AM · #37

Originally posted by Citadel:

It does. And I got a really funky picture of my basement wall to prove it :)

There you go, Leroy. Better look at a D700 instead. You can send me that 85mm 1.8, since it won't work on your new gear. :))

09/01/2010 12:16:00 AM · #38

Originally posted by david_c:

Originally posted by Citadel:
It does. And I got a really funky picture of my basement wall to prove it :)

There you go, Leroy. Better look at a D700 instead. You can send me that 85mm 1.8, since it won't work on your new gear. :))

I love that lens... I'd MAKE it work.... LOL

Damn I've been out in Vivitar/Flashpoint land too long... time to start checking into Canon's new flashes/bodies.

09/01/2010 01:29:35 AM · #39

One "problem" I have encountered with off-camera flash is the use of Auto-FP. Auto-FP (on the Nikon anyways) allows you to shoot at speeds higher than your normal sync speed (1/200th of a second on my D90). Nice thing about it is you can really kill the ambient light and shoot wide open. The bad news is it MURDERS your batteries in a big way (the flash is on for the whole exposure rather than that one small burst).
If I have the flash on the camera or connected via a cable I can use auto-fp. Otherwise no. I have an SU-800 commander which might allow me to do this but I haven't tried it out yet. I also have heard you can use hypersync (essentially another term for auto-fp) using the Alien Bee triggers if I recall correctly

Message edited by author 2010-09-01 01:31:06.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

09/01/2010 05:55:33 AM · #40

What are the benefits if a zoom head off camera?

spiritualspatula

09/01/2010 06:37:59 AM · #41

Originally posted by JayA:

What are the benefits if a zoom head off camera?

Think of it like a built in snoot. It'll concentrate your light and throw it further, so you can intensify lighting for certain parts of a shot, for instance, without screwing with a snoot.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

09/01/2010 07:09:42 AM · #42

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by JayA:
What are the benefits if a zoom head off camera?

Think of it like a built in snoot. It'll concentrate your light and throw it further, so you can intensify lighting for certain parts of a shot, for instance, without screwing with a snoot.

What if I'll be using with umbrellas most the time?

spiritualspatula

09/01/2010 07:15:35 AM · #43

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by JayA:
What are the benefits if a zoom head off camera?

Think of it like a built in snoot. It'll concentrate your light and throw it further, so you can intensify lighting for certain parts of a shot, for instance, without screwing with a snoot.

What if I'll be using with umbrellas most the time?

Not of a whole lot of use then, I imagine. I suppose you could use it to change the apparent size of your light source, because it would focus the beam into a smaller portion of the umbrella, but that might kill your transmittance as well (never tried it, though). But keep in mind that having zoom will allow you flexibility later.

09/01/2010 07:30:57 AM · #44

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by JayA:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by JayA:
What are the benefits if a zoom head off camera?

Think of it like a built in snoot. It'll concentrate your light and throw it further, so you can intensify lighting for certain parts of a shot, for instance, without screwing with a snoot.

What if I'll be using with umbrellas most the time?

Not of a whole lot of use then, I imagine. I suppose you could use it to change the apparent size of your light source, because it would focus the beam into a smaller portion of the umbrella, but that might kill your transmittance as well (never tried it, though). But keep in mind that having zoom will allow you flexibility later.

I have my 580 EXII for that if needed too.

Message edited by author 2010-09-01 10:00:19.

photodude

09/01/2010 08:18:10 AM · #45

Usually with an umbrella, adjustments are made by varying the distance from the flash to the umbrella

09/01/2010 09:58:17 AM · #46

Originally posted by photodude:

Usually with an umbrella, adjustments are made by varying the distance from the flash to the umbrella

So do you think the 460II might be my best choice?

Message edited by author 2010-09-01 09:59:34.

photodude

09/01/2010 10:11:38 AM · #47

I have the 460 II's. When i purchased them, the 560 wasn't available yet anyway. The whole Yongnuo setup was my toe in the water on off camera lighting. I got 2 460II's, 3 RF 602s, 1 602 Transmitter, 2 Umbrellas, 2 Stands, 2 Umbrella Holder/Cold Shoes, for about $400 total - all on ebay (seperate transactions - not a package).

It all works well. Still learning my way in the lighting game. If I was a full time working pro, I realize that I would be better off buying heavier stands and better umbrellas, but for me, it opened up a whole world of off camera lighting for a reasonable cost.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

09/01/2010 12:28:15 PM · #48

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

but that might kill your transmittance as well (never tried it, though).

It shouldn't affect it much, unless you're using an pretty dull umbrella.

spiritualspatula

09/01/2010 01:57:36 PM · #49

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

but that might kill your transmittance as well (never tried it, though).

It shouldn't affect it much, unless you're using an pretty dull umbrella.

Out of curiosity, how much of a loss do you experience when you zoom your flashes into umbrellas? I've never tried it myself, so was only speculating here. I know it would change the nature of your specular highlights and also the wrap (vs bare flash) of your light, but to what degree? Do you just lose the typical amount for an umbrella, or is it more, since all that light is focused in a single area, and suffers from an exponential loss of light?