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03/27/2006 01:47:35 AM · #1 |
Hi there,
As some of you know, I got some toys on friday, one of them being the Sigma Flash.
Now... I am a complete rookie when it comes to flashes, so it was a first for me. I switched it to ETT-L (which is auto, I think) and took a few pics indoors.
The pivoting I loved and could get some pretty nice effects when I bounced the flash.
But here's the thing. Straight on shots. I took one of my Fiance sitting on the couch with the sigma flash on. Then, I removed the flash and used to on-board flash to take exactly the same picture and guess what...
THe on-board flash was exactly the same if not a little better.
So on some occasions I can see a difference (very slight) and on others, none at all?
Is this what the flash does? I was kind of expecting it to illuminate the outside of my subjects a lot more. But then again, maybe it's just something I set??
Please help! |
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03/27/2006 02:33:01 AM · #2 |
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03/27/2006 04:02:32 AM · #3 |
I got the same kind of result when shooting with the flash pointing at my subject, indoors, though I found that the Sigma was a little better than the 350D's onboard...
I think the benefit of the flash as far as I can see is the ability to be able to bounce and swivel. If you bounce the light off the ceiling for example, you eliminate the harsh shadow that would fall behind your subject that you get if you were to point the flash straight ahead.
A much better light is achieved... |
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03/27/2006 05:11:26 AM · #4 |
But I took pictures at our Christmas party last year, with my on-board flash, and our work had a professional photographer who had a Canon Flash or something.
If you compare his photo's to mine - his subjects were lit nicely, but also whatever was behind them in most cases.
Mine had a very darkish feel to it - which is why I kind of expected the flash to help. |
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03/27/2006 05:51:13 AM · #5 |
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03/27/2006 06:58:28 AM · #6 |
| Thanks man!! I'll be sure to cast my eye over it a little bit later! |
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03/27/2006 07:16:06 AM · #7 |
Yeah, Tycho's got it. It's about how you light it, not how much you light it.
Technically speaking, when you are within the reach of your on-board flash, but you use the add-on flash in the hotshoe, the only thing you are actually changing is the height of the flash and perhaps some VERY subtle differences in the diffusity of the built in 'diffuser' in the flash. The E-TTL is there to TUNE your flash, and if it is doing what it's supposed to, results in this case will be nearly identical.
The differences start to show up when you start needing higher output. For example in outdoor fill-flash scenarios and any scenario involving increased distances. This also includes bouncing the flash as this tends to cut down light quite a bit as it uses the ceiling (or whatever surface is being bounced from) as a large diffuser.
To a certain extent, diffusion add-ons like the lightsphere or the omnibounce will also increase the need for stronger flash output.
The Sigma 500 Super also has a number of other features that your on-board flash cannot do.
These include FP, high speed (beyond X-Sync speed) flash sync (which I seriously need to read up on myself), a wide range of manual flash output gradients (not for use with E-TTL), and the basic convenience of being used off-body.
Versatility is they key to why that flash rocketh the house. |
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03/27/2006 10:10:27 AM · #8 |
| You could also try the built in diffuser for straight on shots as close up stuff won't be illuminated completely. See if that changes what you're seeing. I would agree that the main benefits are the power of the flash and the ability to swivel. Otherwise straight on, use a diffuser. |
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