flash HELP

kwphoto · Nov 23, 2004

I really need a new flash for my 1dmk2 wedding work but cant decide what to do.

my old faithfull metz 45 is on its last legs, and i am tempted to get another of the same but would really like the HSS of the new canon flashguns. plus the metz takes ages between flashes to charge when you need it most its still charging.

i am mainly after something for fill in flash outdoors, at the moment i use the metz bounced into an ice cream lid and under expose it by at least 2 stops (see example). this is fine but sometimes you land up at f11,f16 or something and either too much DOF or slow shutter speed. plus if this happens as the bride gets out of the car im flapping around like a fool trying to work out the best solution in a few seconds!

I have tried d-ttl on my old nikon d100's in the past but was so unreliable i started to use th metz again. take one shot and its too bright, next too dark etc.

Is the canon EX range reliable enough? they are so expensive i dont want to repeat old mistakes

please help!!

http://www.kwphoto.co.uk/w041104/041104kwp_0011.htm

kwphoto · Nov 23, 2004

kwphoto said:
I really need a new flash for my 1dmk2 wedding work but cant decide
what to do.

my old faithfull metz 45 is on its last legs, and i am tempted to
get another of the same but would really like the HSS of the new
canon flashguns. plus the metz takes ages between flashes to charge
when you need it most its still charging.

i am mainly after something for fill in flash outdoors, at the
moment i use the metz bounced into an ice cream lid and under
expose it by at least 2 stops (see example). this is fine but
sometimes you land up at f11,f16 or something and either too much
DOF or slow shutter speed. plus if this happens as the bride gets
out of the car im flapping around like a fool trying to work out
the best solution in a few seconds!

kwphoto said:
I have tried d-ttl on my old nikon d100's in the past but was so
unreliable i started to use th metz again. take one shot and its
too bright, next too dark etc.

Is the canon EX range reliable enough? they are so expensive i dont
want to repeat old mistakes

please help!!

http://www.kwphoto.co.uk/w041104/041104kwp_0011.htm

Anyone?

Jonathan Lefcourt · Nov 23, 2004

I would look into a quantum flash and battery setup. Killer light, super fast refresh rate, powerful flash, auto mode and ettl2.

Jonathan

kwphoto said:
I really need a new flash for my 1dmk2 wedding work but cant decide
what to do.

my old faithfull metz 45 is on its last legs, and i am tempted to
get another of the same but would really like the HSS of the new
canon flashguns. plus the metz takes ages between flashes to charge
when you need it most its still charging.

i am mainly after something for fill in flash outdoors, at the
moment i use the metz bounced into an ice cream lid and under
expose it by at least 2 stops (see example). this is fine but
sometimes you land up at f11,f16 or something and either too much
DOF or slow shutter speed. plus if this happens as the bride gets
out of the car im flapping around like a fool trying to work out
the best solution in a few seconds!

I have tried d-ttl on my old nikon d100's in the past but was so
unreliable i started to use th metz again. take one shot and its
too bright, next too dark etc.

Is the canon EX range reliable enough? they are so expensive i dont
want to repeat old mistakes

please help!!

http://www.kwphoto.co.uk/w041104/041104kwp_0011.htm

--
Jonathan Lefcourt
Pics from the wonderful British Museum
http://www.pbase.com/jlefcourt/british_museum

santa · Nov 23, 2004

They are very reliable but they are also more complicated than a standard thrystor flash. If you want easy pro flash, look at Metz again or Quantum. If you want wireless master/slave ability and all the other possibilities, get the 550 or 580 but keep in mind the Canon flash system involves something of a learning curve. Av Tv and Manual all react somewhat differently and you can't just throw the flash on and shoot in the same way at all times. For ease of use you can't beat a third party thystor setup. A big external battery like the Quantum system uses or the Digital Camera Battery will be the cure to the too-long recycle time.

kwphoto said:
I really need a new flash for my 1dmk2 wedding work but cant decide
what to do.

my old faithfull metz 45 is on its last legs, and i am tempted to
get another of the same but would really like the HSS of the new
canon flashguns. plus the metz takes ages between flashes to charge
when you need it most its still charging.

i am mainly after something for fill in flash outdoors, at the
moment i use the metz bounced into an ice cream lid and under
expose it by at least 2 stops (see example). this is fine but
sometimes you land up at f11,f16 or something and either too much
DOF or slow shutter speed. plus if this happens as the bride gets
out of the car im flapping around like a fool trying to work out
the best solution in a few seconds!

I have tried d-ttl on my old nikon d100's in the past but was so
unreliable i started to use th metz again. take one shot and its
too bright, next too dark etc.

Is the canon EX range reliable enough? they are so expensive i dont
want to repeat old mistakes

please help!!

http://www.kwphoto.co.uk/w041104/041104kwp_0011.htm

--
Canun OneDeeMarque2,TenDee, 70-2hundred 2.8IS L, 16-thirty5L, 24-seventy
2.8L, 1hundred-300 5.6L, twentyeight-70 f3.5-4.5, 50mm f1point4, 1.4X convrtr,
tc80EN3,steee2,duce of 550's, custombrack et,4 alienbeeees and yada yada.

centralcoastmagazine · Nov 23, 2004

I tend to work close to the subject within 20 feet for 99% of
my work.

I would consider a Metz 70-5 if more wide angle or large rooms
were in play as we usually do not have time to set up remote flashes.

We use a T4D and a T2D with radio trigger when needed.

If you need more power look at the X2 Quantums.

The advantage is that they are not much bigger than any Canon
flash, but have that wonderful parabolic head with several configurations,
even a small soft box.

Daniel Clune · Nov 23, 2004

According to the specs on the metz web site the 54-4 metz shoe flash has HSS mode just like the canon 550 or 580 do. just thought i would point that out.

kwphoto · Nov 24, 2004

Thanks for all your input chaps.

Not 100% but I think im going to get a 550EX and start getting to grips with its ways, and maybe look into a quantum for the metz 45 and use both till I am happy that I can rely on the 550.

Any tips for using the 550?

Kevin

Steve Walton · Nov 24, 2004

kwphoto said:
Thanks for all your input chaps.

Not 100% but I think im going to get a 550EX and start getting to
grips with its ways, and maybe look into a quantum for the metz 45
and use both till I am happy that I can rely on the 550.

Any tips for using the 550?

Kevin

Depending on the subject, 550 usually have to be overexposed by around 2/3rds if using manual focus. Using autofocus is a bit more accurate in my experience

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flash HELP

kwphoto

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kwphoto

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Jonathan Lefcourt

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santa

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centralcoastmagazine

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Daniel Clune

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kwphoto

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Steve Walton

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