Messages

1

Lighting / Re: Flash Newbie: Flash Photography Concept

« on: June 17, 2013, 01:40:28 AM »

If you put your flash on top of your camera (or attach the flash with the camera using an ETTL cable) the camera will recognize the flash fix the shutter speed at 1/200 sec. You can go for a slower shutter speed if you use M or Tv, without any problem. But if you try to go for a faster shutter speed than 1/200th sec (1/250sec in other cameras than 6D) in M or Tv mode you will get a black unexposed part on the frame. To just use your flash as a fill flash you need to reduce the flash power in the flash (or with flash menu in camera). If you want to go for a faster shutter speed than the limiting flash sync speed (1/200) then you need to go for High Speed Sync (HSS) capable flash. There may be other ways of doing it, I do not know. Someone else will probably point you to those directions soon.

Correct. Here a a good video on HSS. It is a PW ad and you do not need PW to make it work when the flash is on the  camera. After about 6 minutes it gets into stuff you don't really need to yet unless you are interested.

 http://www.pocketwizard.com/inspirations/tutorials/pocketwizard_controltl_optimiz/

2

Lighting / Re: Flash Newbie: Flash Photography Concept

« on: June 17, 2013, 01:36:39 AM »

The problem is shooting in AV mode in a dark venue. Your camera does not care if there is a flash on your camera or not. The light cameras light meter will continue to meter ambient light the same way. Take the flash off or turn it off and the meter will read the same and your shutter speed will be very slow slow unless you crank the ISO way up and/or open up the aperture. Based on your ISO AV mode will protect the aperture you selected and will take the shutter to 1/15 or lower if it needs to. It will keep the light meter in the middle no matter what. 

Most pros set the camera to manual when shooting with flash. Now you are bound to the cameras light meter. You can your shutter, aperture and ISO to meter the ambient and flash output via manual or ETTL for subject exposure. Like I said your camera does not care about what your flash is doing and the flash does not care about what your camera is doing. Both have distinct jobs.

3

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Any suggested work arounds for delay with ST-e3?

« on: June 17, 2013, 01:19:48 AM »

Correct - NiMH's is the way to go. I use Ansmann batteries and when they die one day I'll probably switch to Eneloops.   

4

Speedlites, Printers, Accessories / Re: Canon SE-E3-RT and Sekonic L-478DR together?

« on: June 07, 2013, 03:44:58 PM »

Canon only plays nice with Canon RT. I called Sekonic and asked if they were planning to build a Canon friendly RT module and they said no. They are in bed with PW. That was 4 months ago and you never know.

When in manual I carry my STE3 and L-358 with me. Flashes in group mode and I use the test button on the STE3 to fire the flashes. I set them all at each location using this method. When done I put the STE3 back on my camera.

I modified the foot stand and attached a spare BR connector.

5

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: 5D3 & 600ex-rt + AF assist beam = slower focus

« on: May 08, 2013, 05:23:06 PM »

I have not heard of any. Regarding this post I have yet to read a negative remark. The AF assist beam is much improved now.   

6

Lighting / Re: Speedlites help

« on: May 06, 2013, 10:20:29 AM »

ST-E3 won't help you. It will work only with Canon RT. If you want Canon RT then sell the Yongnuo stuff and by more Canon flashes. If not a Yongnuo receiver needs to be on the Canon 600.   

Canon RT only works with Canon RT devises.

7

Animal Kingdom / Re: Show your Bird Portraits

« on: May 04, 2013, 10:25:48 PM »

Dropped my beloved 300L F4 IS a few weeks ago. No physical damage but the IS stopped working. Sent to Canon a fre weeks ago, picked it up from Purolator this morning and went on a road strait away.

Back in action. Taken with my 7D.



crop

8

Lighting / Re: 600EX-RT's Delay on 3rd Party Camera

« on: April 30, 2013, 11:06:11 PM »

You're using a Canon RT system on a 3rd party camera. The flash also communicates with the camera as well if you are using ETTL. I would not expect it to work. Time for some 3rd party triggers.     

9

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Wedding expert suggestions desired...first time.

« on: April 28, 2013, 11:42:44 PM »

It is amazing how people seem to wind up with no money for a photographer for one of the most important day of their lives but have no issue with putting that pressure on friends. My suggestion.

Camera on P Mode, flash on ETTL and shoot away. Do the best you can and don't stress about it, they are getting what they paid for.

10

Software & Accessories / Re: DPP Updates

« on: April 28, 2013, 08:42:39 AM »

Canon is not in the Software business and there is no profit with DPP. It is more than likely built into the price of the camera. Since they offer it free with the camera there is no incentive to put a lot into it. Kinda reminds me of "Batman Begins" where Morgan Freeman is sitting by himself in some dusty R&D dungeon    They probably have one or two people working on DPP with a limited budget. You still need to reboot your computer after an upgrade which is rare these days unless you get a major OS upgrade. Then you get into the "insufficient memory" warnings that require a shut down.

I used to be a DPP die hard user for years. Adobe has leap frogged it so many times on so many levels these days I use it just to view and cull images before importing into LR or opening in PS. Still can't beat full screen, quick check mode.       

11

Software & Accessories / Re: ColorChecker passport, what's wrong?

« on: April 25, 2013, 08:09:05 PM »

Actually I found the blues over-saturated so I stopped using it.

   

12

EOS Bodies - For Stills / Re: Firmware 1.2.1 for the 5D Mark III in the Wild

« on: April 25, 2013, 08:03:58 PM »

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer?pageKeyCode=prdAdvDetail&docId=0901e024807f5f70

13

Lighting / Re: 600ex-rt vs PocketWizard Flex TT5 Setup

« on: April 24, 2013, 10:15:11 PM »

Hello,

As it was mentioned by Neuro, The PW setup is it only worth keeping if you are going to use studio lights and want to control the power level on the strobes from the camera. If that doesn't happen in your case, sell all of the PW gear asap.

As far as using 600 ex-rt's, specially for events, I strongly recommend it. Canon has hit a homerun with its radio system. It is super reliable and fairly simple to use, once you get used to the key buttons on the flash (or directly on the camera, since you have a 5D3). We have been using the 600's for almost a year and it has been one of our best investments. We have 4 600s and 1 STE3 now.

My only additional suggestion, would be to consider using another 600 instead of the STE3 as the master. Since you do events, the AF assist light on the 600 is a savior for low light situations, plus the obvious fact that with the 600 you have a flash on top of your camera, giving you another option, beside the slave 600s. In my opinion, the STE3 is useful in more controlled enviroments (which is where we use it), but during a dimmly lit event, you need the AF to work as fast as possible.

By the way, looking forward to the 1.2.1 firmware for the 5D3. The AF when used with the assist light can really use more speed and that is supposed to come with this version.

I too am looking forward to this FW upgrade. I have been following all the threads on this from day one.

14

Lighting / Re: 600ex-rt vs PocketWizard Flex TT5 Setup

« on: April 24, 2013, 10:12:45 PM »

I have never had PW but did have an assortment of flashes and Cybersync triggers. I sold all of that and purchased 3 x 600 RT and an STE3. I love it. Group mode is fantastic which is designed to work with your 5D3. Menu layout is excellent and the LCD lights up when you press any button on the flash. You can also set it to stay on all the time if you wish. Love those features.     

Only thing is the STE3 does not have an Af assist beam. When I need that I put the flash on the camera and the other two on stands. This is for wedding reception type venues. When not (in studio) I use the STE3.

The 5D3 is pretty good without the AF assist beam any many just leave it on AI Servo which disables the assist beam anyway. Some people are upset about the lack of assist beam but it has not phased me at all.

No off camera second curtain sync if that is important to you. 

One more thing. Canon RT only plays nice with Canon RT - so far.  I have not looked back and do not miss my old system.         

15

Lighting / Re: Recommendations for flash for telephotos and birds

« on: April 21, 2013, 06:48:10 PM »

The OP is looking for a flash. 580 and 600 were suggested in the first reply so I added the link to that post for more info.