DEPENDABLE flashes with external battery connections..

JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
edited October 21, 2013 in Accessories
High School Basketball season is quickly approaching and I've really added a lot to my equipment for flash, but not quite enough. I need more...

My goal is this. 4 flashes on each side of the court that I am shooting from, with 4 PW3's. Each flash will be set to it's own group and be cycled vial the multi-cycler of a Multimax transmitter.

My Problem right now is flashes. I need more.

While YN-560III look appealing, it seems Youngnou QC isn't too hot as a lot of people report the flashes failing within 2-3 months.

My requirements are simple. Equivalent power of a Canon 580EX (not the II), Manual adjustments of power and the BIG one is EXTERNAL POWER PACK connection. There are a ton of aftermarket flashes out there but a lot do not have the external pack connection. Which is why the YN-560III looked so appealing, but as I mentioned, the reviews are less than favorable.

The YN-560III is roughly $70. I would love to find something in the $150 range. I'm willing to pay more to get something that consistently works!

Not sure if it's an option, I used to own until it was stolen a 550EX. Not sure if it acts like the 540EZ where if set to 1/4 power it needs to fully charge after every dump even though it's not dumping full power. The other option is the 580EX..

Are there any other flashes I should be considering? I looked at the Nissin, they don't seem to have an external power connection... which is key. I'll be using 4 flashes on each side of the court in in 4 groups to get fast shooting speeds via the multimax and cycler option.

Thanks.

Jim

Comments

  • photogreenphotogreen Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited October 18, 2013
    hey Jim, I've used and reviewed a number of third party flashes. Nissin can be a good option. Phottix has recently joined the game and seems to be a good choice. looking at your requirements, Nissin Di700 should be able to do it for you. it's around $250 though, but it does have an external port and the power you need. It's super easy to control with the select dial. It's a faily new model, but it's one of my personal favorites now :)
    nissin-di700-flash-display.jpg

    Nissin Di866 II and Phottix Mitros are the higher-end units, but have everything you'd want. Here is a direct comparison:
    Nissin Di866 II vs. Phottix Mitros
    phottix-mitros-vs-nissin-di866-ii-controls.jpg

    Used Canon flashes, as you mentioned, should be a good option, too.

    Hope this helps.
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2013
    I also found that SB-24, 25, 26, etc from Nikon are super cheap... Might end up going that route for $75 each.

    I just have to see how they work in a multiple flash fire situation shooting say 1/8 power at 6-8fps. The Canon 540EZ are horrible and need to completely cycle even if set to 1/8 which makes no sense to me. Hoping the older Nikons don't do that.
  • photogreenphotogreen Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited October 21, 2013
    so you need manual flashes then? no need for TTL?
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited October 21, 2013
    correct. Manual. And battery packs (lithium) I am using only support: Canon, Nikon, Metz & Sony connectors for the flash..
  • photogreenphotogreen Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited October 21, 2013
    i see. have you considered LumoPro? their new LP180 has a high-volgate port and a built-in light stand mount(!!)
    i've got LP180 and an older LP160. both are powerhouses and very dependable.
  • JimKarczewskiJimKarczewski Registered Users Posts: 969 Major grins
    edited October 21, 2013
    Well, currently looking at lower cost options.. Old Nikon flashes can be had for $75.. SB-28's and if not them, SB80DX which are 2x the price but still $50 less than the LP180, especially when I am looking to get 4-5 of them.

    As I posted in my other thread I'm not sure about the SB-28 cycle time when set in 1/8 -1/4 power on manual. Some old flashes dump and have to fully recharge, a good example would be the Canon 540EZ. Where as other flashes can sustain 8 flashes with the flash set at 1/8 power, like the 550EX from canon which I think was the next flash out after the 540EZ. Problem is Canon flashes are going for 2x the price of an equivalent Nikon. While I'm a canon shooter, light is light, I don't care if it's canon, nikon, etc.

    YN-560III was something I was looking at but it seems to have the same 2-3 month lifetime as the version I and II that preceded it. You get what you pay for in a new CHEAP flash. And the 285HV from vivtar even with an external pack (and a connection that AFAIK is not supported by the pack, unless it uses a metz type connection) is still slow to recycle at 1/4 power and is completely missing a 1/8 power setting which really kills the deal.

    I can deal with a flash that does 1/1, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16.. I don't need +/.3 stops like all the new lights do. It's just a matter of speed with the lithium pack attached....
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