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11/08/2006 06:49:30 PM · #1 |
Well, at least I thought that's what was going to happen. Here's the scoop:
I was asked to do some photography where I work today. One of our vendors had a promotion running today, and as part of the promo they had 4 of the Buffalo Sabres come in for pictures and autographs (the pictures part is where I come in). Being a big hockey fan, I was MORE than happy to help out. What I wound up doing was shooting about 200 photos in about 2 hours that were then to be printed and given to the sales reps later. I had a 350XT (not mine), my 580EX flash with my Lightsphere on it. The pictures were coming out great, but after about 130 shots I noticed a LONG recycle time on the flash. The batteries were pretty fresh when I started, but not brand new. I had brought a new pack, so no problem. I hold up the shoot for a minute to quickly change the batteries. When I pulled the old batteries out I noticed they were VERY hot--as in, holding them in your hands for more than a few seconds really hurt. I thought that was strange, but I had never taken that many pictures in that short of time before with the 580, so I didn't think too much about it. I put in the new batteries, and after about 20 more shots, I noticed it was taking forever for the flash to recycle again. I finished the shoot alright, and everyone was happy. However, have any of you ever experienced this with your Canon flash? I would hate to think this would happen at a wedding where you may be using it for far more pictures than that. Maybe it needs repair? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
-Don |
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11/08/2006 06:59:08 PM · #2 |
What type of batteries?
I've noticed with my Pentax 360 that if I use Lithiums I get a shorter recharge time, but if I am shooting constantly they get incredibly hot.
With alkalines I get longer charge times but they stay cooler.
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11/08/2006 07:09:19 PM · #3 |
| doyou use gary fongs lightsphere(compltely unrelated)..how is it? ive herad mixed reviews about it |
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11/08/2006 08:50:43 PM · #4 |
I've had batteries get warm before, but not hot. But you might have been shooting a lot faster than I do (or longer/more continuously).
One thing you might do in that situation would be to pull the lightsphere off. Because it spreads the light around *so* much, you're really going through batteries like crazy with it on. I'm 100% positive that it contributed to the overheating. I'm sure that without it, your batteries would last a lot longer.
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11/08/2006 09:56:52 PM · #5 |
| Get rid of the Lightsphere! It will make your flash heat up and could destroy it if used a lot in a short amount of time. If you have the 580 use the deflector screen/reflector that is part of the flash. Aim it mostly straight up or slighly down. Lots of stores of lightsphere heating up the flash, it's really not worth it unless you are letting the flash cool down between flashes. |
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11/08/2006 10:00:18 PM · #6 |
Noisemaker--I like the lightsphere a lot, and it worked great today. The people I was shooting were very close to a backdrop, and there really weren't any harsh shadows or bright spots due to direct or bounced flash. It depends on what you are looking to do, but I like mine.
Dwterry--I never thought of that, but I bet you're right. Even when shooting weddings, most photographers seldom, if ever, shoot as many shots as I did in such a short time. Using the lightsphere must have pushed my flash to the limit for almost 2 hours. Since I've never done that before, I never considered that it would put so much strain on it. |
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11/08/2006 10:00:32 PM · #7 |
other questions- were you using flash compensation at all? What ISO were you using?
Those are things that will affect your batteries life as well. It's about how hard your flash is being used. My batteries get hot too- I push them. But I try to change them as often as possible! Rechargable batteries work better for some reason I don't remember (something about accessing the high power you need faster?)
If you up your ISO your flash won't have to work as hard. Keep your subjects closer too (if it won't hurt the images of course) :0)
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11/08/2006 10:01:38 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by PhantomEWO:
Get rid of the Lightsphere! It will make your flash heat up and could destroy it if used a lot in a short amount of time. If you have the 580 use the deflector screen/reflector that is part of the flash. Aim it mostly straight up or slighly down. Lots of stores of lightsphere heating up the flash, it's really not worth it unless you are letting the flash cool down between flashes. |
or turn it completely backwards for an interesting fill flash too!
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11/08/2006 10:03:01 PM · #9 |
| oOWonderBreadOo--I had it on ISO 100, and I only pushed the flash up 1/3 step. If I ever do this again, I'll shoot at 200, and take the dome off the top of the sphere. That should keep things running smooth for a long time. Having said that, I doubt I'll be doing this again for a while. |
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