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Speedlites?
So I'll be traveling soon, and I don't feel like carrying heavy equipment, but I think I may grab a few models for some fun shots while I'm playing tourist out there. I'm still severely limited in experience, and have never used a Speedlite or done any off camera lighting outdoors before so I'm a bit lost. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … 0203494411 For the cost-savvy folks, is this 580EX kit a good deal (are the other things in there worth the extra cost)? I read good reviews about the Stroboframe, save for the whole bottom-button thing, but is that enough or should I get a small light stand and shoe adapter as well? I plan to get those sooner or later anyway, along with an umbrella adapter, but it's more of an "is it necessary to buy those right now too" kind of thing. Thanks in advance for any help/advice/tips and/or suggestions for places to eat and play in Seattle, WA (I don't actually know where my fam lives but it's pretty close to there).  P.S. Yes, I read Strobist, but stuff on there seems to be all off camera, whereas I'm looking to travel super-duper-uber light and hopefully not need to bring a stand... Feb 02 08 11:27 pm Link B&H has a kit: 2 Canon 580EX II Speedlite E-TTL II Shoe Mount Flashes (Guide No. 190'/58 m at 105mm) with ST-E2 Transmitter Kit 899.00 Seems like a good deal to me. Skip Feb 02 08 11:32 pm Link Skip Nall wrote: I did see that (and was drooling over it), but I'm kind of not looking to spend $1k Feb 02 08 11:33 pm Link Adorama has basically the same thing for about $100 less without the stroboframe (which is around $50). The 580 is a good flash. Whether you need the stroboframe or not really depends on how you're planning to shoot. Feb 02 08 11:39 pm Link As to the kit on eBay...the flash cord is short. I have one and I have the 8 ft. The 8 ft. is even limiting as to getting your light where you want it. I would think about the 580 and the transmitter and a small light stand maybe as an option. I also have the diffuser which is okay but I have found bouncing the flash against a white reflector off camera works better...nice and soft. But you need a stand or a person or something to hold the reflector. Skip Feb 02 08 11:40 pm Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: Feb 02 08 11:42 pm Link Skip Nall wrote: Agreed on the length, but if I end up just using the stroboframe, I wouldn't need anything more than 3 feet. ChanStudio - OtherSide wrote: Probably more for fill light? But I've never been to Seattle and I heard it's gray and dreary, so... not much sun to overpower? I just don't like that little pop up flash... Feb 02 08 11:46 pm Link Little more elaboration, I guess. All my outdoor shots to date are using ambient light. I'm not looking to do a crazy fashion shoot with an itty bitty speedlight; maybe just some nice headshots that didn't look like some bimbo (aka me) took a point and shoot to someone's face. Meanwhile, I don't want to rely on the pop-up flash, because I have been programmed to believe it's evil. What I'm looking for is something light and inexpensive, specifically for my trip. I will get a speedlight sooner or later either way, as well a stand/shoe adapter for it. I posted this thread more to get opinions on if the above kit would be suitable *for this upcoming trip*. More specifically, is the stoboframe and other stuff in the kit worth it, and would light still come out like random pop-up flash images minus the red eye using that thing? Not looking to do anything fancy during my trip. Feb 02 08 11:56 pm Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: Skip Nall wrote: Agreed on the length, but if I end up just using the stroboframe, I wouldn't need anything more than 3 feet. ::Throws something at C!:: Feb 02 08 11:58 pm Link Keller Photography wrote: I'd throw something back but I have to be nice. Hmph! Feb 03 08 12:01 am Link Oh yeah one more thing I just realized about the speedlites...at least the 550EX and I imagine the 580s as well is they will sink at any speed...just found there is a way to program it to do so which is pretty cool! Feb 03 08 12:05 am Link One thing you might consider, the 580 EXII will work as a master with a 420 EX (or 430 EX) as the slave. This way you have two light sources working with ETTL wirelessly (or with the 430 EX, ETTL II). The point is, you don't need two 580's, just one 580 EX and as many 420/430's as you need as slaves. And you don't need the separate ST-E2 wireless transmitter (on camera the 580 EX will act as the transmitter). The 580 EXII is on sale now with Canon. Including the instant rebate, the cost of a 580 EXII and a 430 EX will put you back about $600, or if you go to KEH and pick up a 420 EX rather than the 430, the package would be about $500.  This picture of Mia Giacobbe was taken with 550 EX and a 420 EX acting as a slave. (The 550 EX was on the camera, while the 420 EX was hand held off camera by an assistant.) Fish -- John Fisher 910 West Avenue, Suite 306 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 (305) 534-9322 http://www.johnfisher.com Feb 03 08 01:32 am Link Oooh... you have been very helpful Were you using any modifiers? And do you have any examples in daylight? $650 w/ tax. Hmm.. Feb 03 08 01:42 am Link hey c you do know seattle is like the new home of the strobist have a good trip hope to see the images from your shoots over there Feb 03 08 02:20 am Link Jamie-JAYCE-Charles wrote: I did *not* know that. Heh. I'm visiting family for the most part, and driving up to Vancouver, but hopefully I will be able to squeeze in a shoot or two! Feb 03 08 02:22 am Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: yup message me Feb 03 08 02:25 am Link Skip Nall wrote: Precisely why I never throw mine in the water ;-) Feb 03 08 02:26 am Link capturecharacter wrote: I didn't want to be the one to say it... Feb 03 08 02:28 am Link Ooh I can save a bunch on tax if I order the 580ex and 430ex through Amazon. (Sniffs at B&H taxing me because I'm in NY) *still pondering* Feb 03 08 02:36 am Link I don't think you need to order a stand right away. If you have a way to trigger the flash wirelessly you can usually find a place in the area to put your light. Places I've used are trees, staircases, bookshelves, stools, the floor, anywhere really. In this photo the light was bungied to the automatic door closer.  Feb 03 08 02:55 am Link just buy a canon Ste2 and a few cheap flashes. even sigma 550 or 430. as long as they can flash sync, you don't need to get the 580.. you can buy all that for 600. 2 flashes and the ste2 Feb 03 08 03:04 am Link the STE2 is great, to save money the 550ex line are also great and used relatively cheap, the 430 as backups are good as well, the system works very well, the addition of external power is a big plus for longer shoots and faster refresh rates. The stroboframe sucks if you mainly shoot portrait, get a custom bracket type that rotates the camera not flash, they are very annoying to use. Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com Feb 03 08 03:08 am Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: Feb 03 08 03:41 am Link very helpful info in this thread! Feb 03 08 09:03 am Link I use a 580EXII on Stroboframe camera flip bracket as master, acting as fill, with a 430 EX acting as slave and the stronger light, sitting on an extra tripod. Feb 03 08 09:08 am Link StephenEastwood wrote: I think I would end up getting the speedlites first, just for the purpose of this trip (as well a shoe adapter for a light stand). I will eventually want the rest of my equipment to go wireless so I'd probably get pocket wizards over the ST-E2, just so I can also use them w/ my studio stuff. Trying to stagger the costs lol. ride5000 wrote: Yes, very!! Keith A Williams wrote: No fair, I read it's easier for left-eye people. =P I was actually thinking of that, using the 580 as the master but using less power, just because of that whole "on camera flash is evil" thing. Feb 03 08 09:40 am Link why not get a vivitar 285hv for $80? Feb 03 08 05:21 pm Link I will say if you are going PW and are used to studio strobes and not using ettl than forget all the speedlights and go all vivitars, they are much less money so you can get one and a battery pack per unit for about the same as just a speedlight, and woudl be like having non modeling light lower powered studio strobes that are super small and versatile. Better investment overall for the dollar. Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com Feb 03 08 05:30 pm Link The 580EX II Speedlite is a wonderful light for doing location shoots. If you are going to be shooting out doors I also suggest getting a 5 in 1 reflector. It fits right in your suit case and I have never been sniffed by the bomb dogs at the airport because I am traveling with it. I have, however, been flagged and sniffed because of the batteries I had in my speedlight. Stupid airport security! Anyway, with the 5 in 1 reflector in addition to the speed light you can get fantastic studio quality results. Most models bring a friend to shoots so that eliminates the need to hire an assistant to hold the reflector. Good luck! Shane O Feb 03 08 05:43 pm Link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … 0195524226 Yummy inexpensiveness. Anyway. I was also talking to Keller last night about just grabbing a bunch of Vivitar 283's. The price tag is extremely tempting, but I guess I'm wondering more about power (and where to get them other than eBay lol, because I'll be on a random bus to PA when that auction ends). The 285HV's are still a good price. 2 would be ~200 I can get used PW Plus's (receiver+2 transmitters) for ~320. Or 3 new PW Plus II's for ~540. Is there a major difference? Either way, definitely a cheaper alternative, and while I'm usually pretty stubborn and tend to go with my first choice (even if I question it) and was pretty set on getting the Canons this morning, I'm starting to sway towards the Vivitars... And, slightly straying from my original post... but this is my thread I'm using 2 WL's and 1 AB indoors. Can I hook one strobe up to a receiver and still have the other two be slaves, or do they all need PW's if I go wireless?Feb 03 08 06:42 pm Link a 283 can have a 20dollar adapter to use manual settings like 1/4, 1/2, 1/18, and full but no adjustable head zoom, otherwise they are also good for the money. And yes you can slave any that can see the one that is firing. And since your near me and I am around tonight if you wanted to call and ask anything for faster responses drop me a PM for a number to reach me Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com Feb 03 08 06:44 pm Link http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6 … apter.html vivitar variator Stephen Eastwood http://www.StephenEastwood.com Feb 03 08 06:59 pm Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: Side note, you can also get adaptors to plug the 285's into a 110 outlet and use them with your studio strobes or any where you have power for faster recycle times. Feb 03 08 07:04 pm Link You don't need that quantam pack, just use AA's. Feb 03 08 07:12 pm Link If you really want to break the bank go with two used 550 or 580 flash units, pick up a par of Canon battery packs and the ST-E2. The ST-E2 lets you adjust the ratio between flash banks by just pushing the buttons on the back of the unit, the battery packs are great they produce super fast recycle time, almost as good (speed to reach flash ready) as studio strobes and last a lot longer battery wise, you can get extra battery trays so you just need to switch out 4 batteries in the flash plus the tray. Feb 03 08 10:55 pm Link I believe I've settled with a pair of 285HV's. Go budget photographer LOL Thank you all for your input!!Feb 03 08 11:27 pm Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: I have several sets of these and they work great in my low-budget setup. Feb 03 08 11:43 pm Link shootrrdave wrote: Yup, just bought a couple of those Feb 04 08 12:12 am Link |
Originally, I was even thinking of getting the 430. =X
