pulled the trigger on a 580ex + toys

sirsloop

got the OK from SWMBO... so I took my check from SM this last month and made a little buy at b&h and adorama. I'm also gonna get a Jacobs black box for a battery pack. Should make a nice little flash setup for event shooting, portraits, and macro! It all should arrive tuesday... i'm psyched!


Gary Fong GALP4C P4 Lightsphere II Inverted Dome Clear Diffusion System $49.00
Sima SIPLZ Lens Pen $9.95
Canon CASC2OC Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 $49.95
Canon CA580EX 580EX Flash $379.95
Quantum Instruments QUMB5 MB5 Connecting Cable 52.95
Delta Flip 7" Flash 35mm Camera Bracket 38.95

hesaias

Sweet! I got mine last week. I have never had an external flash, so its taking some getting used to. The catchlight is really cool for bounce flashm and works pretty well to just be a white piece of plastic.

I got two sets of Energizer rechargables and a charger. I put the charged set in the flash, adn a spare set in the bag. I have not had to change batteries during a game yet. I do wish it had a good battery meter though.

DYancy

I too picked up a 580EX a few weeks ago. The capabilities of the flash are far beyond my own abilities as a photographer at this point, but I'm continuing to take the approach of buying equipment that I can grow into rather than what I might grow out of. Spend once.

hgernhardtjr

Ahhh ... but you won't be using it to its fullest abilities until you get a couple more (430EX or Sigma 500DG Supers) ... and use the simply outstanding remote control features!:photo

And, BTW, the 580EX is outstanding used both by itself and in a multiflash setup!

chrismoore

question from a flash newbie: what are the pros/cons of the gary fong inverted dome diffuser vs a regular diffuser like omnibounce?
Thanks

ziggy53

chrismoore wrote:

question from a flash newbie: what are the pros/cons of the gary fong inverted dome diffuser vs a regular diffuser like omnibounce?
Thanks

The concept of "any" diffusor is to create a larger light emitter. The Fong LightSphere can also be used pointed up without the diffusion dome for bounce-with-fill applications, and light similar to a bounce card or Demb FlipIt.

I prefer a DIY "scoop" modifier which works regardless of ceiling height and I have designed my version to adapt easily to many different flash heads.

I also use a bounce card and Demb FlipIt as indicated by the situation. Every once-in-a-while I will also use bounce flash and put my hand behind the flash to add some warmer fill.

chrismoore

ziggy53 wrote:

The concept of "any" diffusor is to create a larger light emitter. The Fong LightSphere can also be used pointed up without the diffusion dome for bounce-with-fill applications, and light similar to a bounce card or Demb FlipIt.

I prefer a DIY "scoop" modifier which works regardless of ceiling height and I have designed my version to adapt easily to many different flash heads.

I also use a bounce card and Demb FlipIt as indicated by the situation. Every once-in-a-while I will also use bounce flash and put my hand behind the flash to add some warmer fill.

Thanks for the input. I also read that diffusors are not good for fill light when shooting outdoors because they rely heavily on bouncing off objects. Is there any truth to that? I'm purchasing my first flash, and hate how harsh it makes people look when used alone so I'm looking for a solution to soften everything up a bit.
Thanks

ziggy53

chrismoore wrote:

Thanks for the input. I also read that diffusors are not good for fill light when shooting outdoors because they rely heavily on bouncing off objects. Is there any truth to that? I'm purchasing my first flash, and hate how harsh it makes people look when used alone so I'm looking for a solution to soften everything up a bit.
Thanks

The "trick" to using a flash for fill is that it needs to be a lower ratio as compared to the primary light source. If you use a type of TTL flash automation it is common to use an FEC of -1 to -2 for the fill light.

Diffusion will soften the effect of the flash but done properly even direct flash can work. All diffusors will lose some efficiency versus direct flash so take that into consideration as well.