Advice please...On Camera versus Hot Shoe mount flashes

CWSkopec

A friend just recently asked me if I could shot a "sort of class reunion" in a nearby banquet room for him and how much I would charge. Initialy I was really happy to be offered a paying job. BUT I really don't have a kit geared towards that sort of setting. I declined on that basis because I don't even have any real experience in that area of photography and wouldn't know how to overcome my lack of equipment.

He asked again, saying that photos don't need to be spot on perfect, he's just looking for some candids and a few group/posed photos, likes my other work and needs someone from outside the group to shoot it so that they(I) wouldn't be distracted talking to old friends.

All of that makes sense, the problem is, I really have a cheapo kit so I said I would get some advice and get back to him.

Here's what I've got to work with:
Canon XTi
50mm f1.8
18-55mm kit lens (f3.5-4.5 I think)
Tamron 70-300mm (not too useful in this setting I imagine)
Tamron 19-35mm f3.5-4.5

And that's about it. Notice, no accesory flash and only the 50 for a fast lens. I'd like to do this, for my friend but also for myself (great opportunity to try my hand at something different without a ton of pressure) but at the same time I've got zero budget to upgrade my kit in the forseeable future and really don't want to screw up my friend's chances at quality images from his event.

So the question is, could my kit manage this? I'm assuming it won't be candle-lit darkness in the room, but also won't be sunlight either. Would the 50mm and my pop-up flash, shooting raw be managable?

Yes/no's and any extra advice/tips would be greatly appreciated! :thumb

pathfinder

You can get some pictures with your pop up flash, but to be honest, I would not recommend that.

I really think you need an EOS system flash ( or a similar Sigma built EOS oriented flash ) to allow you to bounce the light, and shoot eTTL for better, smoother lit candids if you really want images to look as good as they can be with on camera flash.

Shooting in the dark with your camera and lens choices will not match what might be done with significantly better lenses and cameras - think 5D Mk II 50mm f1.2. But even if I had the better camera and lenses, the real improvement comes from professional use of good flash equipment. You just cannot beat better light, no matter what camera and lens you use.

With good flash control, you can shoot with a G10 P&S and get great images. As always, it is not the camera, but the light that is critical to the image.

CWSkopec

pathfinder wrote:

You can get some pictures with your pop up flash, but to be honest, I would not recommend that.

I really think you need an EOS system flash ( or a similar Sigma built EOS oriented flash ) to allow you to bounce the light, and shoot eTTL for better, smoother lit candids if you really want images to look as good as they can be with on camera flash.

Shooting in the dark with your camera and lens choices will not match what might be done with significantly better lenses and cameras - think 5D Mk II 50mm f1.2. But even if I had the better camera and lenses, the real improvement comes from professional use of good flash equipment. You just cannot beat better light, no matter what camera and lens you use.

With good flash control, you can shoot with a G10 P&S and get great images. As always, it is not the camera, but the light that is critical to the image.

Thanks for the advice, Pathfinder! You've mentioned a bunch of items already on my wish list, but even the sigma built eos flashes are out of reach before my friend's event.

At my local camera shop, I've noticed pop-up flash diffusers, would something like make light from the flash even enough to do a decent job? Or just scrap the thought all together?

pathfinder

Yes, I think one of the diffusers can be helpful in softening the light from a pop up. But it is still a distant third choice for me.

Can you beg, borrow, rent a real EOS speedlite for your camera somewhere, perhaps??


Borrowlenses.com does rent EOS flashes as per the link above....

CWSkopec

pathfinder wrote:

Yes, I think one of the diffusers can be helpful in softening the light from a pop up. But it is still a distant third choice for me.

Can you beg, borrow, rent a real EOS speedlite for your camera somewhere, perhaps??


Borrowlenses.com does rent EOS flashes as per the link above....

Great suggestion!! That thought never even popped into my mind... I'll take a closer look at Borrowlenses and I know a couple of the local shops offer rentals! A full week rental would give me a chance to test it out and try to get used to it before the event.

Thanks again Pathfinder!!