Canon EOS 5D Mark II

CanonKidCanonKid Banned Posts: 23 Big grins
edited February 2, 2009 in Accessories
It does'nt have a built in flash and I've read that I should get one. I'd like to stick with Canon but I have no idea which one to buy.

Comments

  • Moogle PepperMoogle Pepper Registered Users Posts: 2,950 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    The 580 EX II. It also accepts the 580 EX, which I currently use, but the EX II really syncs with the mk II!
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  • CanonKidCanonKid Banned Posts: 23 Big grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Thanks man.
  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Read up on off camera flash. That's what the 5D MKII was made for. Other than for event photography or just messing around, the 580EX II that I have never sees time in the hotshoe.
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  • PindyPindy Registered Users Posts: 1,089 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Village Idiot wrote:
    Read up on off camera flash. That's what the 5D MKII was made for. Other than for event photography or just messing around, the 580EX II that I have never sees time in the hotshoe.

    I agree. Flash is one of the 5D's best friends.
  • CanonKidCanonKid Banned Posts: 23 Big grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Village Idiot wrote:
    Read up on off camera flash. That's what the 5D MKII was made for. Other than for event photography or just messing around, the 580EX II that I have never sees time in the hotshoe.

    Off camera flash???headscratch.gif
  • bandgeekndbbandgeekndb Registered Users Posts: 284 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Forgive me for the little I know on the subject, but it'll get you going.

    http://strobist.blogspot.com

    When you get the chance, this site is all about lighting and how to use it properly. But that's for later.

    Off-camera flash is when you get your flash off the camera, using a flash cord. you can put the flash on a stand, use an umbrella, or any number of modifiers. Again, more can be found on the blog above.

    Basically, until you learn it, the 580 ExII will work great in the hotshoe, since you can bounce the light off the ceiling. Once you master it, a good flash is super powerful.

    I wish you the best of luck. I'm sorry to hear how you ended up with the camera, but I'm sure you're going to take some great pictures in memory of that person!

    ~Nick
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  • Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    CanonKid wrote:
    Off camera flash???headscratch.gif
    Literally, when the lighting is not on top of the camera.

    It can be anything - studio strobes, flash units, Home Depot shop lamps.

    The idea is that off-camera light will generate shadows on the subject that would normally not be there with on-camera lighting. On-camera lighting puts light everwhere that the camera will so, so there's no shadows. Off-camera light projects light onto everything it sees which, by definition, will be different from what the camera sees. So, the camera will see the shadows not lit by the off-camera light. These shadows, when placed appropriately and controlled, make for more dynamic images.
    Scott
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  • Village IdiotVillage Idiot Registered Users Posts: 215 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2009
    Slightly more direct link. Keep in mind this article is almost 3 years old and with the popularity that the blog generated with cheaper equipment, there's cheaper alternatives to what's in this tutorial.

    http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

    Plus strobist is bad about the theory behind the light. It's stated that it's for photographers that already have a basic knowledge of photography and some knowledge of light, so go check out some books where you can learn why a light has an f stop, what a GN is and how to use it, and how to take a photo without guessing at the settings and trying to get things right that way. I think that will help your photography over all.

    "Light Science and Magic" by Phil Hunter is a good one once you have a basic understanding. It's more about why light behaves the way it does.

    www.lighting-essentials.com is a great blog once you figure out what you're doing. Don Giannatti does workshops and some of my friends that have taken them have turned into amazing photographers almost over night. It was amazing to see how much of an improvement they had in their work after attending his hands on workshop.
    On a scale of 1 to 10, my awesomeness goes all the way to 11.
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