Small body, flash too big?

BBbuilder467 wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

BBbuilder467 wrote:

I haven't seen on this forum where you've mentioned a primary interest in close-up/macro where you will use diffusers or snoots attached to the flash and might take 300 back to back shots as fast as you can press the shutter button.

Excellent battery life and a fast re-cycle time can be critical. The last thing you want is to have to wait 20 minutes while the flash cools down, replace batteries in the field or outrun the recycle time.

I don't think anything is as abusive on a flash as macro in the field. It can be brutal. Size "can" work to your advantage.

On the Macro Forum, we were trying to take that into account.

If that is still your interest, make sure everyone understands that.

What is considered a fast recycling time?

I need a flash that can use full power and at least keep up with the 2 second quick review. And it can't run out of power after 3 or 4 back to back shots so I have to wait 20 seconds to 2 minutes for the flash to recharge. I'm not sure how these flashes with only 2 AA or AAA batteries keep up with the pace of macro/close-up. You might be at f/8 to f/16 at ISO 100 continuously.

''Size can work to your advantage? '' I don't understand what you mean...

Do you want to mount softboxes/diffusers and modifiers for use on/off camera? There is nothing to bounce from outdoors. I got the impression from the Macro Forum that you were outdoors where GN36/38 is barely adequate. I think you have now mentioned birds. That's 600mm from 50 feet.

Thanks.

Some of these little flashes are handy and convenient, but they are not a replacement for a full size flash.

FWIW, the Godox V860 ii sounds like what I'm looking for.

You got it right... I shoot mostly outside during daytime. I'm lucky I often can get really close to birds 4-10 meters and use 400-900mm equivalent lenses. The close-up work I do at night.

Sadly the model you suggested while ideal, is out of budget. So, I'll order either a full size manual flash or the medium Godox and forget about using it for birds.

Thanks