While we are still at it can somebody please explain why on Earth one would like to use ETTL on a multiple light setup? I really, *really* don't get it...
I understand a desire to increase the range on one light while maintaining ETTL capabilities. But on several?
While we are still at it can somebody please explain why on Earth one would like to use ETTL on a multiple light setup? I really, *really* don't get it...
I understand a desire to increase the range on one light while maintaining ETTL capabilities. But on several?
If you're shooting in an uncontrolled environment in a restricted space, say, for instance, a wedding reception, you may want to use a multiple flash setup. In such an instance, your subject-to-flash distance varies dramatically from shot to shot. ETT-L helps deal with that variability. In an ETT-L multiple flash setup, you can put your lights on separate channels and control their ratios remotely. You just don't have time at an event (without an assistant at each light) to go around changing all your flash settings to get the right ratio and overall power.
Even if you take ratio control out of the mix, in low-light environments, you don't have a great deal of flixibility with exposure settings to contol flash exposure, because your ISO, aperture, and shutter speed are set to pick up some or all of the ambient.
I'm guessing that in your example shooting in a club, your lights were far enough away from your subjects that you didn't have so much of a problem changing power levels as your subject to flash distance changed (i.e. the percent change was small).
While we are still at it can somebody please explain why on Earth one would like to use ETTL on a multiple light setup? I really, *really* don't get it...
I understand a desire to increase the range on one light while maintaining ETTL capabilities. But on several?
I often shoot multiple groups and move my lights between groupings. I use ettl ratios and don't want to have to meter each time. When I do this I typically use one flash on camera for fill and one on a stand with an umbrella as the main light. In a studio situation it is not of that much use, but for events or other location work it saves a lot of time metering and adjusting power/moving lights.
With my ST-E2 I can use 2 580's into one umbrella and effectively double my light for single point lighting... I thought I would be able to do that with just a pair of tt5's using master/slave IR between the two speedlights but I'm not able to figure that one out yet... may have to get a 3rd tt5. So far that is my only disapointment with these.
While we're at it I would like to know when someone would use a flash 300' away from their camera!
I often shoot multiple groups and move my lights between groupings. I use ettl ratios and don't want to have to meter each time. When I do this I typically use one flash on camera for fill and one on a stand with an umbrella as the main light. In a studio situation it is not of that much use, but for events or other location work it saves a lot of time metering and adjusting power/moving lights.
With my ST-E2 I can use 2 580's into one umbrella and effectively double my light for single point lighting... I thought I would be able to do that with just a pair of tt5's using master/slave IR between the two speedlights but I'm not able to figure that one out yet... may have to get a 3rd tt5. So far that is my only disapointment with these.
Thank you!
Yeah, doubling or simple main/fill I can see. I must note, although, that after a rather short practice it is relatively easy to shoot in full manual even if you change the setups of the groups.
While we're at it I would like to know when someone would use a flash 300' away from their camera!
Matt
I never went as far as 300', but I was at 150' more than once, shooting large scale performances...
Comments
http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirations/technology/range/
14-24 24-70 70-200mm (vr2)
85 and 50 1.4
45 PC and sb910 x2
http://www.danielkimphotography.com
Excellent post, but I'm more confused than ever on what to buy
http://danielplumer.com/
Facebook Fan Page
Great link. Thanks! I feel pretty stupid I didn't try mounting the tt5 away from the flash with a sync cord!!!
Matt
Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
I understand a desire to increase the range on one light while maintaining ETTL capabilities. But on several?
Even if you take ratio control out of the mix, in low-light environments, you don't have a great deal of flixibility with exposure settings to contol flash exposure, because your ISO, aperture, and shutter speed are set to pick up some or all of the ambient.
I'm guessing that in your example shooting in a club, your lights were far enough away from your subjects that you didn't have so much of a problem changing power levels as your subject to flash distance changed (i.e. the percent change was small).
www.ackersphotography.com
I often shoot multiple groups and move my lights between groupings. I use ettl ratios and don't want to have to meter each time. When I do this I typically use one flash on camera for fill and one on a stand with an umbrella as the main light. In a studio situation it is not of that much use, but for events or other location work it saves a lot of time metering and adjusting power/moving lights.
With my ST-E2 I can use 2 580's into one umbrella and effectively double my light for single point lighting... I thought I would be able to do that with just a pair of tt5's using master/slave IR between the two speedlights but I'm not able to figure that one out yet... may have to get a 3rd tt5. So far that is my only disapointment with these.
While we're at it I would like to know when someone would use a flash 300' away from their camera!
Matt
Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
Thank you!
Yeah, doubling or simple main/fill I can see. I must note, although, that after a rather short practice it is relatively easy to shoot in full manual even if you change the setups of the groups.
I never went as far as 300', but I was at 150' more than once, shooting large scale performances...