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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help keep my flash firing!!!!
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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10/23/2005 12:32:39 PM · #1
I have a 20d with a battery grip and a 550ex. What can I do to make my 550ex keep flashing without recharge time (or minimum time)? I know I saw something once but where?

Anyone know or have a link?
//www.eslayphotography.com
10/23/2005 12:38:31 PM · #2
I think you need to have it fire at a pretty low setting so that it doesn't need to fully recharge. You could also get a battery pack for it.
10/23/2005 12:58:57 PM · #3
I see that Canon offers 4 types of these. Anyone have any experience with them?
10/23/2005 01:11:49 PM · #4
Under what circumstances are you experiencing long recharge times? Are you bounce flashing, utilizing ETTL-II mode?

Your flash will output as much power as necessary to illuminate the scene properly, assuming you're using ETTL. If you bounce flash, it will likely utilize a greater percentage (or maybe all) of the energy stored in the capacitor and thus require a lengthy recycle time. Alternatively if you flash is set to be in a manual mode, it may be discharging full strength every shot which means the flash will require full recycle time each discharge.
10/23/2005 01:46:48 PM · #5
I was told (but haven't tested) that rechargeable batteries recycle much faster than regular ones. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny this.
10/23/2005 02:41:08 PM · #6
Rechargable batteries do have a better recycle time, but it's not major. Basically it can draw power faster than stnadard alkaline.

As far as battery packs, you can go the cheap route, like a Canon CP-E2 (6 AA) or CP-E3 (8 AA). The recycle is better with the E3. This is not cheap per se, though it can be when compared directly against other battery packs by digitalcamerabattery or Quantum. Those are large sealed lead acid batteries, and work very well but cost hundreds of dollars.

With a 20D, depending on the situation, I'll easily shoot images at 400 to 800 ISO even with direct flash, so that I can keep the recycling down to a minimum.

One more thing: Are you having issues with recycle times during heavy bursts of flash, or just later in the day? If the former, remember that while a battery pack may recycle fast, Canon recommends that you not pop off more than 10 shots without a break of some sort. People have had issues of smoke and melted tubes when firing too much.

If it's the latter, perhaps carrying a lot more AA's could help.

Hope I helped

Max
10/23/2005 02:49:56 PM · #7
Another possibility is an external battery like a Quantum Turbo.
10/23/2005 03:38:06 PM · #8
Well, I use a diffuser on my flash and place it at the 80 degree mark (or whatever is a little less than straight up). I'm guessing that when it is in this position, it fires fully and takes more recharging time. Is this true?

When I shoot people from a distance (say 20 feet), should I just point the flash at the people instead of what I mentioned above? If so, should I still leave the plastic diffuser on? Will this lessen the charge time?

Eric
10/23/2005 03:39:16 PM · #9
I own two Quantum Turbo 2x2 and we use them for weddings. They are moderately expensive pieces of equipment but they make noticeable differences. My experience is that you have to put some heavy duty alkalines into the flash as the flash needs a modest charge before the Quantum will work. A new set of AA alkalines can last thousands of flashes though when the flash is also connected to this battery pack and you get the added benefit of faster refreshes. We normally shoot about 8 hours per wedding and I've never had one of these battery packs run out of juice yet. Of course, by the end of the night they won't power the flash as quickly as they do for the first several hundred flashes but they've been worth the money to me.

Kev
10/23/2005 03:41:21 PM · #10
I forgot to mention:

You'll need a cord for the flash unit. The battery packs come with a cord to hook them to your camera (which I haven't used yet) but you have to order a $50 cord to hook them into your Canon flash. I think you need to look for the "CZ" designation on the cord if you choose to go this route.

Kev
10/23/2005 04:21:05 PM · #11
Thanks Kev
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