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Flash
Sept 19, 2009 17:08:13 GMT -5
Post by Accebera on Sept 19, 2009 17:08:13 GMT -5
I've never used a flash before. I prefer natural light; it's just prettier. But I've been in a few situations now where I could have really used a flash. My on-camera flash sucks, so I'm thinking of buying one of those off-camera deals. The thing is, I have no idea what to look for. Any advice?
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Flash
Sept 20, 2009 0:27:47 GMT -5
Post by Saknika on Sept 20, 2009 0:27:47 GMT -5
Off-camera flashes are a bitch, I won't lie. There's an entire science to learn for them, so you're going to want to review some key points in the manual.
The big thing to look for though is that you can control the power and the direction. Getting one with these two options will give you much more control, and will make it worth it. You also want to make sure that the hotshoe connection will work between your flash and camera, should you go that option. The hotshoe is that metal connector on the camera.
Most flashes will have a cable that plugs into your camera though.
The other option for these flashes, which I like personally, is the slave. Slave function means it's going to wait for your on-camera flash to fire, and that will trigger the other flash to fire. It will help to balance out light and even out the photo while avoiding harsh shadows.
You would also want to look into a flash diffuser so that it softens the light that's coming out. No matter what, a flash is a flash. So the light modifier will help.
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firequall
Weekend Photographer
Canon shooter
Posts: 64
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Flash
Sept 20, 2009 2:51:36 GMT -5
Post by firequall on Sept 20, 2009 2:51:36 GMT -5
What's your camera brand and your price range? Are you talking about external flash units mounted to your camera or a completely independent flash that you can move around? Furthermore, are you thinking more of a studio setup or something that can be quickly set up in the field?
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Flash
Sept 21, 2009 14:57:25 GMT -5
Post by comicIDIOT on Sept 21, 2009 14:57:25 GMT -5
I'm planning on buying a Canon 270 EX. No on-flash controls and it'll point up, which is all I need. I'll agree that the on-camera flash sucks - and since I dropped my camera right on the flash atop some rocks, makes mine even worse. A 270 will satisfy me until I have a drive to get a 480 or 580. I tried a 580 and I was able to get it working for one or two photos. There is a science to these guys. And firequall is on the right track, what camera do you shoot with?
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Flash
Sept 21, 2009 21:06:10 GMT -5
Post by Accebera on Sept 21, 2009 21:06:10 GMT -5
I have a Rebel XTi. I don't really know which kind (a mounted unit or something I can move around independently) would work best for me at this point. Definitely nothing for studio, though. I need something that I can grab and use pretty much immediately.
As for my budget, I'll save up until I can get the one I need, no matter the cost.
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Flash
Sept 22, 2009 0:36:19 GMT -5
Post by comicIDIOT on Sept 22, 2009 0:36:19 GMT -5
I myself use an XTi. I've shot with both slaves and on camera flashes.
Slaves really come in handy when you need consistent lighting. But the thing with slaves is that they each need their own dedicated tripod (or flat surface). And tripods are a burden when you are doing any event photography or photojournalism.
On-camera, external flashes are much more versatile but won't deliver light quality at par with slaves. An advantage to an on-camera external is the ability to move around a scene with a reliable light-source affixed to your person. You'll just have to remember to adjust the flashes head position to bounce off walls or ceilings whenever possible as walls and ceilings do change.
And note that blue walls reflect blue light... Speaking from experience, here =/
With these external flashes you can move them to just about any angle that the two pivot points can accomplish (usually 180 horizontally and 90 vertically).
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Flash
Sept 22, 2009 0:49:45 GMT -5
Post by Saknika on Sept 22, 2009 0:49:45 GMT -5
Slaves don't always require a tripod. You can hand-hold at the same time. Using a cord to connect from flash to camera also allows to hand-hold and change the lighting.
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Flash
Sept 22, 2009 11:55:05 GMT -5
Post by comicIDIOT on Sept 22, 2009 11:55:05 GMT -5
Hand-hold? We don't have a third hand to focus and zoom.
Oh wait. photographers have assistants which hold the slaves :evil:
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Flash
Sept 22, 2009 14:04:43 GMT -5
Post by Saknika on Sept 22, 2009 14:04:43 GMT -5
Or, you focus first, then pick up the flash. Or use auto-focus, and crop later. The big thing though is to get that flash off the camera to make it more dynamic, and to not have to use a tripod.
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Flash
Sept 22, 2009 15:32:20 GMT -5
Post by comicIDIOT on Sept 22, 2009 15:32:20 GMT -5
I gave up on Auto Focus long ago, I only use it on snap-shot-esque moments where I don't need to be precise. Why'd I give up AF? It's sometimes to indecisive and selecting auto-focus points was a pain when you wanted to shoot in a different orientation, say landscape to portrait. The 7D fixes this with it's orientation censor and automatically changes the AF point for you but I'm not sure if it'll be enough to pull me back to AF.
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