I know I could go out and do the research myself, but why do that when I've got you monkeys, err experts at my fingertips !

RE: this thread

I figure it's time to jump into the world of flash photography and I know next to nothing about what I need. Camera is a humble Rebel 350D.

My first use for it will be outdoors under tree cover in light varying from very dim to darkness. I will be taking close portraits of people.

I'm dimly aware of 1st and 2nd curtain exposures to get the background to expose, but what is 1/200 flash sync? Also, I'm sure I need a diffuser (lightsphere or equivalent?) as there will be no ceiling to bounce off of.

Is the 580ex pretty much the way to go?

Originally Posted by tardypizza

what is 1/200 flash sync? Also, I'm sure I need a diffuser (lightsphere or equivalent?) as there will be no ceiling to bounce off of.

That just means your fastest shutter speed is going to be limited to 1/200. Probably not a big deal in this case. That's one thing I like about my D50, sync speed is 1/500. Gives me a bit more room.

I have a Fong Lightsphere. I like it, but haven't used anything else. I think it's a size P1. If it'll fit the flash you choose, I'd be willing to loan it to you to try.

Can't help you on flash units. I'm a Nikon guy.

You don't have to go with the 580EX, the 550EX is very close in performance for a fair bit less money (I've had my 550EX for seven years).

As for diffusers, skip the StoFen Omnibounce type things, get a big folded softbox type thing because they will actually make a fair bit of a difference.

Also looks at the 480EX. I had a 550 and 2 420s but my 550 died. The 420s have been more than enough power wise and the 430 has more features.

As for flash sync it's the fastest shutter speed at which the camera can use the flash. Any faster and the shutter won't be fully open when the flash goes off so you'll see curtains. Syncing with the first versus second curtain won't matter much when things aren't moving, but say you're shooting a car at night so you can see it's headlights. First curtain sync will get you a shot with the car lit up where it was in the beginning then streaks of lights going forward from there. Second curtain waits till the end of the exposure to fire the flash and then you get the streaks in the beginning and a lit car at the end. Depends on what you're shooting as to what will look better, but for most things (portraits) it doesn't make a difference.

I love my demb diffuser and bounce... I've got the jumbo version

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

who the hell pierces their kids ears this young???

Originally Posted by jblaze5779

I love my demb diffuser and bounce... I've got the jumbo version

http://www.dembflashproducts.com/diffuser/

I have something like that, although I can't remember the brand right now.

Thanks guys, that's a big help so far.

The demb is also good in that it folds flat and is easy to store in your bag. The adjustable bounce bard is nice as well.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

who the hell pierces their kids ears this young???

maybe she was born like that

Originally Posted by jblaze5779

The demb is also good in that it folds flat and is easy to store in your bag. The adjustable bounce bard is nice as well.

That's what mine does, whatever it's called.

The reflector can be removed to make it 30% reflecting, 70% transmitting or so as well.

Ok I'm pathetic. I just can't resist the allure of the B&H website. My intentions were to stick to the 430EX and a 4 gig card, but somehow I also ended up with a Lowepro messenger bag and the eye-one colorimeter that I've been eyeing forever.

Been there done that, got the lens to prove it. So when will you have your stuff.

Scott

What's today, Monday? Might have it here by Friday so I can practice with it for the weekend.

Don't ever physically go to B&H then, you'll never know what you will wander out with.

Seeing as how that store is about 1500 miles away, I'm not terribly worried about going to the actual store.

But since they sent me 2 copies of their encyclopedic catologue, I can't help but window shop every time I'm on the toilet.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

but somehow I also ended up with a Lowepro messenger bag and the eye-one colorimeter that I've been eyeing forever.

which bag?
and the color meter??? Me want!!!
please do a write up on it once you get to play with it. I've also wanted one forever, but I'm going to use a expodisc and custom WBs as it's much cheaper.

Originally Posted by emorphien

Don't ever physically go to B&H then, you'll never know what you will wander out with.

no doubt. I only go with the cash I can afford to spend when I drop in, but they still know your account (they'll ask your email) with all the billing you have saved online... so you can't win.
Plus they've figured out that the NYC 8.5% tax kills sales so they offer to give you whatever you want but ship it home (which for me means it's home the next day) know that shipping is less than tax on anything $100+...

But it's better than FOA shwartz was as a kid...

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Originally Posted by tardypizza

but somehow I also ended up with a Lowepro messenger bag and the eye-one colorimeter that I've been eyeing forever.

which bag?
and the color meter??? Me want!!!
please do a write up on it once you get to play with it. I've also wanted one forever, but I'm going to use a expodisc and custom WBs as it's much cheaper.

Originally Posted by emorphien

Don't ever physically go to B&H then, you'll never know what you will wander out with.

no doubt. I only go with the cash I can afford to spend when I drop in, but they still know your account (they'll ask your email) with all the billing you have saved online... so you can't win.
Plus they've figured out that the NYC 8.5% tax kills sales so they offer to give you whatever you want but ship it home (which for me means it's home the next day) know that shipping is less than tax on anything $100+...

But it's better than FOA shwartz was as a kid...

How are you going to use an expodisc and custom whitebalances to replace an i1 colorimeter? The i1s are just like the Colorvision Spyders (I've used both, never found much difference in their newer stuff at similar price points).

I know what you mean about B&H, they offered to ship my 1D Mark II home, back when it cost $4100 that was a significant savings! (I lived in NJ at the time.)

Also, it's FAO Schwartz.

I'm assuming you're using the color meter to set a kelvin value right? That's basically the same as a custom WB right?

This deal:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._3F_Meter.html
$1,364.95!!!
is what I'm thinking of... Ted is that what you got, or a monitor calibration deal?

The thing I posted takes the color temp of anything so you can set WB that way via the numbers. I plan on getting a expo disc so I can pop it over any of my lenses (so 77mm maybe bigger) and get a custom WB that way. Not as quick/easy, but way less expensive.

Ben

AFAIK i1 doesn't make that kind of colorimeter ben

in fact gossen is the only one who does (that B&H carries)...

buy yeah, when I read "colormeter" that's what I was thinking...
It was on my wish list until I looked up what they go for...
~$1400, yeah, I'll use custom WBs thankuverymuch...
Kelvins would be nice, but not that nice...

I've used one, certainly nice, buuuuuttt... I've only bothered to use it once.

the time it would be nice for me is landscapes with the TS-E.
The WB can get a little goofy once you shift a lot, plus if doing a pano/stitch with multiple shots, you NEED the WB locked, so using a dialed in kelvin number would be ideal. Custom WBs work, but it's a tad harder.

I set the white balance manually when I do panos, or I shoot RAW (pretty much always do) and can fix later as needed. I have a Whibal which I have used from time to time too.

yeah, I try to avoid a custom WB outside because I have my work studio dialed in perfect... I wish there was a way to calculate (or have the camera tell you) what the kelvin was on a custom WB you've set... IE you're using what you set which happens to be 5200k...

But I also 1) don't shoot raws, and 2) even when trying to force them to be the same after the fact on a pano, it still isn't perfect, but a custom WB will be.... wired as the raw way should work, but it doesn't seem to.

after the fact RAW correction has always worked fine for me.

Also, for the studio, why not take a white-balance shot, and save it. You can always put it back on the card and apply it later I imagine.

because I format my cards and I'm to lazy to put it back across (but that would work)...

And I don't know what it is with RAW set WB, but I think with a pano it just has to be PERFECT and any slight difference shows at the seem (with 2 TS-E frames laid over each other). Maybe I Fd something up too...

Who know, but custom WBs work best for panos for me.

I'm betting you f-d something up. And I say you should put the white balance shot back on your card every time you're in the studio, or dedicate a card for studio use and reload the WB shot after you format (format using your PC for added ease).

Silly ben!

I occasionally make really stupid mistakes too. Most notably if the focus looks close when I peer through the viewfinder, I sometimes forget to fine tune it I'm a tard

No, you don't need to do anything if you haven't mucked with the CWB setting... IE I set it the day I bought my XTi, erased the image that day, but it retains the WB setting... You don't need the image again unless you reset the custom WB is what I'm saying. And there's no need to keep that shot because I can take another at any time. I'm just saying I wish there was a way to figure out the WB kelvin # from a shot so I could set it that way over using a white frame is all. Then I could just write that number down somewhere and go set it anytime I've used the WB elsewhere.

I have a second camera (the XTi) that is ONLY for the studio... It lives here at work because I have to go through security and that's a hassle. It's always set to that custom WB and it's only left here like twice (for vacations) and then I just didn't reset the CWB... I'm just thinking if I put up with security I could sell it and have ~$700 for other camera toys is all....

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

which bag?
and the color meter??? Me want!!!
please do a write up on it once you get to play with it. I've also wanted one forever, but I'm going to use a expodisc and custom WBs as it's much cheaper.

I got the Lowepro Stealth Reports 300AW and the eye-one monitor calibrator, not the custom white balance colorimeter.

Once I get familiar with the calibrator and get all 3 of my processing monitors set-up, we can talk about making it available to the community. I can't wait to see how much easier it makes printing at home.

HA by the time you get done with it everyone is going to own a colorimeter.

I think you are the third person to just go out and buy one. I initially thought they were a lot more expensive then they turned out to be so I figured it was a good long term investment.

yeah, I might see if I can get *cough* work to buy me one...