Problems I had in the studio with canon flashes:
1. ETTL with wireless didn't provide consistent results. Each time
you take a picture with different composition the exposure is
slightly different. If you don't believe me try it. With studio
strobes I set everything up with white and grey cards before the
subject(s) or item arrives. Once set every shot exposes exactly the
same and things go much quicker shot to shot. I know how things
work in my studio now so virtually no setup is required unless I'm
doing something different.
That is very true, and that's the reason I often use the manual mode. I usually use a flash meter in such a setup, but your gray card technique would work, too.
2. no modeling lights. I use minimal constant lights to avoid color
casts and had trouble getting my D60 to focus and check shadows,
etc... I have a 20d now that does better in low light but this was
years ago. When I used that 550 high speed strobe feature to check
shadows I about blinded everybody in front of the flashes. Really
sucks.
I never shot with multiple strobes before digitals, but I can see how modeling light can be essential in film days. It might just be me, but I value the LCD review more than the modeling lights. The simulated modeling light in Canon's flash can't beat the real thing, but, like I said, I use the LCD review.
3. Can't use a large softbox. Not enough juice or commonly
available ring adapters.
There are simply many more modifiers for studio strobes, period. I do not use softboxes for my Canon system but just umbrellas. If I have the time to setup the boxes, I might just as well be using my strobes. Again, it is the quick setup nature that attracts me, as Canon's system definitely has its limitation.
4. The 550 and 420 don't have a uniform light pattern and must be
used farther from the subject than normal strobes to get a uniform
light distribution, which significantly reduces effective flash
power unless you are photography very small things.
I never noticed that, but then I always go for the quick and dirty setup with my system.
5. Power. My 550 put out about the same direct power as an sp100
studio strobe(except the distribution wasn't uniform with the 550
and is with an SP100 so the SP100 can be used closer to the subject
significantly increasing effective power). With a 4-person group I
could generally go 5.6, maybe f8 with one sp100 into one umbrella
and two firing into a large homemade softbox for fill. My B800s are
a LOT more powerful than the SP100 and I can usually pick whatever
f-stop I want. They can also be moved back farther and still
provide enough light even with a big softbox which is required when
moving back to soften the primary lightsource. With multiple rows
of people you can't really have the lights close because the
shadows from the front heads cast on those behind at an angle and
are very noticeable.
I shot a 60 people group with just a single 550EX unmodified from a third floor balcony, so the power is there. I don't have any modifier that is large enough to make a difference (with any light), so direct on was my only choice.
I also tried to use the canon flashes outside but the STE2 wouldn't
work reliably and during indoor events to eliminate wall shadows or
provide some fill to soften things up a bit. Never worked out for
me. Either the slave wouldn't communicate properly or I just didn't
have the time to setup the slave in a candid situation.
That is a large shortcoming of Canon's wireless system, and I agree that it can be made more reliable. My favorite setup for event photography is a slave on a stand with umbrella. I can move it to places for a quick two-light (on camera + slave) pattern. It would even be more effective if I can get an assistant to hold the slave, AKA walking slave light.
Now I have
two Metz 54Mz-3s(one on each camera, not used at the same time)
with the M3 upgrade and a different studio setup. Maybe I have more
money than brains but it works for me. Hopefully others can benefit
from my experiences. If you get the canon stuff to work I respect
your patience and quick fingers.
Everything is a trade off, and Canon's strength is in wireless E-TTL and portability. One must pick the priority for each job, and that's for sure.
--
Ray Chen
Do what works...
