Anyone know of a backup camera that will do flash like my S3 don't?

I'm about one click away from grabing a Rebel XT to have permanently mounted to my Metz flash & bracket
for weddings. Only 3 situations when I need to use flash:

1) right after the ceremony for those lame group shots by the alter
2) for (more) group shots outside when fill is necessary
3) at the reception when available light is simnply out of the question

My S3 is my best friend for the candid and p-journal, the vast majority of my wedding work.

Even when the light is really low, I have my 1.4 50mm & my fisheye for terrific B&W, and 1600 is way better than my S2, which wasn't too bad at all, despite many peoples' claims about the noise issue. No different
than 35mm 3200 TMax.

BUT...

The flash capabilities on my S2 sucked, and my S3 sucks abyssmally (sp?) as well, even with my newer 70MZ Metz, new module and all. Nikon lights are way too weak.

I can't seem to get any consistancy at all. Especially shooting Irish people. Drunk Irish people at that.
Color's way off, and it's either too lite or too dark.

I'm thinking of the Canon because of it's D-TTL abilities. Any comments on this?
Thanks!

-matt

You might just try your flash in auto sensor mode with the camera in manual for receptions. You mentioned that you need flash for when there isn't enough light at receptions for available light shooting. Auto flash will be consistent at say F5.6 bounced, you can fudge on the cameras aperture for subject exposure so as to not have any indication of severe blown highlights and on shutter speed for ambient registration of the surroundings. Don't be afraid to shoot receptions at ISO 800. It takes just a minute or two to set up when you first get to the hall then you're good to go for the rest of the coverage. I've been working this way with the Qflash for many years with very good results, no variation, or very little variation from shot to shot. Heck at ISO 800 , low shutter speed and F5.6 which on a DX sensor gives more than enough DOF a Vivitar 285 will give plenty of light, bounced !!!

On a second note, I too use my Fuji ( still with the S2) for available light shots in the church and that's it. From there I use a D100 and a D70 both with custom curves, one with the Qflash for the reception coverage, the other with the Sb-800 for outdoor balanced fill. The D70 and SB 800 combo is a tough act to follow on correctly balanced outdoor fill in iTT mode. Fuji offers a little more latitude with the S3, but pick your shots and the D70 and SB 800 perform admirably , IMO ( with the custom curve loaded).

I can't see going Canon for backup if you have a good stock of Nikon glass. I can see unloading all the Nikon gear to go Canon as your main ride plus backup, but I also can see learning to work with the tools you have in either case. I think perhaps the worst combination would be using two completely different lines of equipment and try and keep a handle on wedding coverage.

You wanted words, those are mine!!
David

My understanding is that Canon's flash system is not as good as Nikon's flash system. You might consider a Nikon D70s instead. And for power, consider shooting in AA mode (automatic) or even manual mode (which requires some calculating).

Anthony

can't speak for the Metz, but with the SB-800 on TTL/BL the S3's flash works very, very well at all ISO settings
--
pbase & dpreview supporter
Fuji SLRT forum member since 5/2001
http://www.pbase.com/artichoke

yes even at 1600 asa . . !!!

Artichoke said:

can't speak for the Metz, but with the SB-800 on TTL/BL the S3's
flash works very, very well at all ISO settings
--
pbase & dpreview supporter
Fuji SLRT forum member since 5/2001
http://www.pbase.com/artichoke

Click to expand...

I have always found drunk Irish people as easy to photograph as sober Irish
people. Maybe that's because I'm Irish.

Shaun Williamson said:

I have always found drunk Irish people as easy to photograph as
sober Irish
people. Maybe that's because I'm Irish.

Click to expand...

seems you have had a lot of experience.
--
Kodachrome, they give us those nice bright colours
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a nikon camera, I love to take a photograph

I think that the Metz output is fine for shooting at 200 ISO on a D70s. The camera is at least compatible with the Nikon glass you have. The D70s also has a somewhat higher sync for shooting outdoors with a fill flash. The test will be the color and how it compares to the S2/3. I have a custom profile installed to take care of the Nikon's underexposure in the mid tones. The color balance is set for a warmer tone (yes you can finetune the white balance). The Nikon will shoot that entire wedding without the need to use a second battery (even though I have one). After all is said and done it is not bad but still not an S2/3.

Test the D70s with your flash at the dealer and see if it is consistent for exposure close and far away. and at all ISO ratings. Expect more noise in the higher ISOs.
Hope you can find a solution.
--
Rinus of Calgary/Kelowna

Thanks for the info, you know my Calumet Rep in Bensenville is going to have a powersession with me tomorrow. I'm bringing my Metz 70 over along with my Canon module (came with used 54MZ) and we're going to hook up an XT along with a D70s. He seems to think the Nikon will work great, guess I'll have to bring my Powerbook over for lunch, play around for an hour and go back and buy one of them.

There's only one purpose as I said, bullsh*t group shots and candids when it's too dark for available light.

As far as available light goes, this is what I'm talking about. Look at the 2005 update link on my site...

hattp: www.schademann.com

PS - Glass is not a concern. All I need is a decent zoom, might as well glue it on the mount, it ain't coming off.