Hi,
I'm really in need of some advice before I spend money on something that I'll regret.
I currently do a fair bit of home-based "studio" work using a pair of Bowans Gemini Esprit 500s. I therefore understand about using manual, off camera flash.
Now I'd like to invest in a lightweight portable flash for location work, and this is where I'm stuck. By "location work", I really mean quick portraits and general low-light photography. For anything more serious I'll probably just take along my studio strobes.
One option is to buy the Canon 580EX. I've never used ETTL (other than the next-to-useless on camera flash), but I think I nevertheless have a good technical understanding of the principles behind it thanks to the numerous article out there (Photonotes, Doug Kerr's wireless guide, etc.). There are things that I like the idea of:
* Easy on-camera fill flash.
* Remote control of off-camera flashes via an on-camera controller such as another 580EX or ST-E2.
* Automatic ratio control.
However I have concerns:
* Wireless control is done optically, and it would seem that this isn't great in daylight, especially if the flash is behind me.
* Going radio isn't an option if you want to keep ETTL functionality
Next-up, I'm using a 30D; is ETTL II really a decent system, or would I be better off turning the flashes to manual mode? If I go fully manual, then I have to consider:
* Is there any point is buying a 580EX? There are much cheaper alternative if ETTL isn't a requirement. Would the ETTL still be useful from time to time?
* In fact, should I buy a Canon flash at all? Since they don't even have a PC socket (ridiculous), making them more awkward to connect to a wireless-by-radio system.
There are various sites that offer superb lighting advice. Neil van Niekerk makes out-standing use of on-camera flash and ETTL. On the other hand, Neil Turner, whos images I also appreciate, uses off camera flash for most things. David Hobby is an avid advocate of the off-camera cheap flash with pocket wizards approach.
The problem is that without having enough on-location flash experience I find it very difficult to decide on the best way to go. I also don't have any experience with ETTL to know if I trust it, although if it works I'd be happy with it, obviously.
I like Niel van Niekerk's approach of bouncing the on-camera strobe, and this is great for the photographer who needs to move with his subject. It's also allows quicker repositioning of the subject. On the other hand, the point mady by David Hobby is a good one - that off-camera strobes give a good lighting consistancy and allow the photographer more freedom of movement without having to constantly change the flash position. I can see myself doing both depending on the circumstances.
I suppose the ideal solution is a 580EX with pocket wizards, which would also allow me to use my pocket wizards on my studio strobes, however I can't afford that approach. The ideal ideal would be that Canon introduce a radio based ETTL system, and it rather concerns me that they'll do that just *after* I buy the kit!
So, that all said, I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences on on-camera vs off-camera and ETTL vs manual. Maybe you'll give me some things to think about that I haven't already considered.
Thanks,
Tim
I'm really in need of some advice before I spend money on something that I'll regret.
I currently do a fair bit of home-based "studio" work using a pair of Bowans Gemini Esprit 500s. I therefore understand about using manual, off camera flash.
Now I'd like to invest in a lightweight portable flash for location work, and this is where I'm stuck. By "location work", I really mean quick portraits and general low-light photography. For anything more serious I'll probably just take along my studio strobes.
One option is to buy the Canon 580EX. I've never used ETTL (other than the next-to-useless on camera flash), but I think I nevertheless have a good technical understanding of the principles behind it thanks to the numerous article out there (Photonotes, Doug Kerr's wireless guide, etc.). There are things that I like the idea of:
* Easy on-camera fill flash.
* Remote control of off-camera flashes via an on-camera controller such as another 580EX or ST-E2.
* Automatic ratio control.
However I have concerns:
* Wireless control is done optically, and it would seem that this isn't great in daylight, especially if the flash is behind me.
* Going radio isn't an option if you want to keep ETTL functionality
Next-up, I'm using a 30D; is ETTL II really a decent system, or would I be better off turning the flashes to manual mode? If I go fully manual, then I have to consider:
* Is there any point is buying a 580EX? There are much cheaper alternative if ETTL isn't a requirement. Would the ETTL still be useful from time to time?
* In fact, should I buy a Canon flash at all? Since they don't even have a PC socket (ridiculous), making them more awkward to connect to a wireless-by-radio system.
There are various sites that offer superb lighting advice. Neil van Niekerk makes out-standing use of on-camera flash and ETTL. On the other hand, Neil Turner, whos images I also appreciate, uses off camera flash for most things. David Hobby is an avid advocate of the off-camera cheap flash with pocket wizards approach.
The problem is that without having enough on-location flash experience I find it very difficult to decide on the best way to go. I also don't have any experience with ETTL to know if I trust it, although if it works I'd be happy with it, obviously.
I like Niel van Niekerk's approach of bouncing the on-camera strobe, and this is great for the photographer who needs to move with his subject. It's also allows quicker repositioning of the subject. On the other hand, the point mady by David Hobby is a good one - that off-camera strobes give a good lighting consistancy and allow the photographer more freedom of movement without having to constantly change the flash position. I can see myself doing both depending on the circumstances.
I suppose the ideal solution is a 580EX with pocket wizards, which would also allow me to use my pocket wizards on my studio strobes, however I can't afford that approach. The ideal ideal would be that Canon introduce a radio based ETTL system, and it rather concerns me that they'll do that just *after* I buy the kit!
So, that all said, I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences on on-camera vs off-camera and ETTL vs manual. Maybe you'll give me some things to think about that I haven't already considered.
Thanks,
Tim
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