Off camera flash.

glsammy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:16 PM

Today I've been experimenting with my latest gadgets. My garden is like a black hole, normally it's a nightmare to get any half decent shots from there, especially at this time of the year.
I've just purchased a wire free flash device, plus a flash diffuser. Today was the first time I've used them, with I think some excellent results.

Here's a few shots:

I'm really pleased with this one, this part of the garden is usually so dark I wouldn't attempt a shot. The diffused flash has done it's trick. The flash wasn't pointing anywhere near this bird, a good 3ft to the left of the flash.

This one I'm even more pleased with! Under normal circumstances, shooting a bird here leaves you with a lovely silhouette at best. With the remote diffused flash, to get this level of fill in when I'm a good 12 ft from the bird is really useful.

Likewise this one.

Now the bluest greenfinch I've ever seen!

I'm really pleased with the results, I can now get decent shots in my garden in just about nil light levels.

matt_xyz · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:28 PM

nice work Graham, the flash works well with the Starling's feather and really brings out the colours. The light has been so terrible lately that flash is our only hope!

What kind of device have you bought - a slave unit that's triggered by the light from your main flashgun?

Matt

glsammy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

nice work Graham, the flash works well with the Starling's feather and really brings out the colours. The light has been so terrible lately that flash is our only hope!

What kind of device have you bought - a slave unit that's triggered by the light from your main flashgun?

Matt

Not quite Matt.
It's a remote flash transmitter and receiver. You fit the transmitter onto your hot shoe on the camera, mount your flash onto the receiver and it will trigger the flash up to 30 yards away. When I'm in my hide I can't use my flash, my viewing opening simply isn't big enough. It only works in manual mode, but that's just fine by me!
All the lighting is from just one flash, mounted on my tripod with a Lambency Flash Diffuser fitted. It's a simply device that pulls over the flash, but it spreads the flash range by a remarkable degree. The first and the second Starling where a good 6 foot apart, yet I didn't have to move the flash to get them both. I simply had it pointing roughly central between my branches and it did the rest.

matt_xyz · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:47 PM

that's interesting Graham. Is the wireless transmitter/receiver specifically for your Sigma flashgun or is it likely to be compatible with Canon speedlights? I've seen the Pocket Wizard which does this, although they're not cheap. Is that what you have?

I've also had difficulty poking the flash out of small opening in a hide. In the end I resorted to putting my flash just outside the hide on another tripod attached to my camera by an off-camera cord. The trouble is the cord is only about 60cm long so it's all a bit awkward.

Matt

Seajay · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:50 PM

Excellent shots Graham. I've done a little experimentation with flash so far only on camera though and have problems (sometimes) with excess light cast into the bird's eye. Obviously they don't always pose where you want them to but where do you position the flash? To the right and at the same height or a little above? I've two flash units I can use off camera but haven't tried them as yet. I suppose in theory you could set up an outside studio with removable backgrounds once you get the birds at ease. Do you work from a hide and position the flash outside?

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

that's interesting Graham. Is the wireless transmitter/receiver specifically for your Sigma flashgun or is it likely to be compatible with Canon speedlights? I've seen the Pocket Wizard which does this, although they're not cheap. Is that what you have?

I've also had difficulty poking the flash out of small opening in a hide. In the end I resorted to putting my flash just outside the hide on another tripod attached to my camera by an off-camera cord. The trouble is the cord is only about 60cm long so it's all a bit awkward.

Matt

It's definitely compatible with yours Matt, in fact yours is the one it's advertised as designed for. I had to contact then to make sure it would work with my flash.

I didn't want to have a wired one, I'm so clumsy I'd be bound to trip over it!

Mine cost me £21.00 including postage.

glsammy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seajay

Excellent shots Graham. I've done a little experimentation with flash so far only on camera though and have problems (sometimes) with excess light cast into the bird's eye. Obviously they don't always pose where you want them to but where do you position the flash? To the right and at the same height or a little above? I've two flash units I can use off camera but haven't tried them as yet. I suppose in theory you could set up an outside studio with removable backgrounds once you get the birds at ease. Do you work from a hide and position the flash outside?

Yes, that's it. The flash was about 6 foot in front of me, to the left and Just pointed it parallel to the camera, at about 4 foot high. The diffuser did the rest. The Starlings were on a high branch, about 6 foot high, one well to the left of the flash, and the other well to the right. I've not had to touch up the eyes on any of the shots I took today. Once your away from the camera, all those weird eye problems seem to go away. I'm sure the diffuser also helped.

mh68 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 05:24 PM

Nice shots Graham, excellent exposure on the birds. I`ve been looking at those wireless flash triggers myself, but having read a few reviews of the cheaper ones it seems theyre not 100% reliable. Did you have any "misses" when the flash didnt trigger, while testing it?
If you can rig something to get the flash higher, and to the side, you`ll get some nice shadows which will emulate sunlight,and a directional light which will highlight the feather detail even more.

Mark H

glsammy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 05:28 PM

Nope, not one missed flash. Apart form me being in to much of a hurry and shooting before the flash had recharged.
It's obviously early days, but so far I'm pleased with it.

Ollie · #10 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 05:34 PM

Some excellent shots there Graham, sounds like a well worthwhile investment.
It's certainly done the business on these anyway.

As it happens I have been playing with my off camera flash unit. For those not aware it is a Canon 580EX11 flash unit with a Better Beamer flash extender attached. The flash unit is attached to a Stroboframe quick flip flash bracket and the Better Beamer is then attached to the flash unit and an off camera flash cord is then used. Matt ZYZ introduced me to this set up so thanks Matt I am beginning to get the results I am after in dull overcast conditions.

This Starling was taken with the set up. AV mode used . F7.1, ISO 400 1/100sec shutter speed, -2/3rds of a stop exposure compensation and -2/3rds flash exposure. I was happy with the result.

Roger

mh68 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 05:36 PM

Sounds good

I came across a very good site for flash info, i`ll pm you the link across.If the flash has the facility to manually reduce the output (1/2,1/8th etc) you may be able to juggle iso/aperture so you can get adequate light at less than full power,then you`ll get virtually instant recharging times so less waiting

Mark H

glsammy · #12 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie

Some excellent shots there Graham, sounds like a well worthwhile investment.
It's certainly done the business on these anyway.

As it happens I have been playing with my off camera flash unit. For those not aware it is a Canon 580EX11 flash unit with a Better Beamer flash extender attached. The flash unit is attached to a Stroboframe quick flip flash bracket and the Better Beamer is then attached to the flash unit and an off camera flash cord is then used. Matt ZYZ introduced me to this set up so thanks Matt I am beginning to get the results I am after in dull overcast conditions.

This Starling was taken with the set up. AV mode used . F7.1, ISO 400 1/100sec shutter speed, -2/3rds of a stop exposure compensation and -2/3rds flash exposure. I was happy with the result.

Roger

Good one Roger.

I've not invested in the Better Beamer just yet. I know I was impressed with the results Matt got from it.

glsammy · #13 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh68

Sounds good

I came across a very good site for flash info, i`ll pm you the link across.If the flash has the facility to manually reduce the output (1/2,1/8th etc) you may be able to juggle iso/aperture so you can get adequate light at less than full power,then you`ll get virtually instant recharging times so less waiting

Mark H

Thanks for that link. I'll have a good look at it later.

I can adjust the flash output, but I doubt I'll be able to set it much lower than full power. I was already on ISO 800. I'll have a go at that next time. I was just relieved today that it worked at all!
I've been thinking of all sorts of reflectors and units after today's test. I'm determined to get my dark garden to the point where I can get a good shot wherever I try.