New to off camera flash, any tips/guides for beginners?

[skitron]

Very nice shot...she pops out of the screen. I take it based on your lenses listed this is the Sigma 50?

Thanks, yes it is the Sigma 50. I really like that lens except my current copy isn't great at f1.4.

I also touched up the shot with Capture One Pro 7. They added a gradient mask which was ideal for dealing with the "gradient light" that I quickly found is part of bounce flashing. In this shot the background actually has a strong "flash gradient" from left edge fading to about the girl's face. So I just added a gradient mask by simply clicking down close to left edge and releasing click close to right edge of face. Then just used a single slider to under expose the layer with the gradient mask to suite. Maybe 20 seconds to fix it and it made all the difference.

 

[paul13walnut5]

Top Tip 1:

Get used to one gun.

TopTip 2:

Go to lee lightings website for a guide to using filters to balance light.

Your flash is daylight, you might not always be shooting in daylight. Rosco do colour correction packs. Worth the effort.

Top Tip 3:

Forget about the synch speed. Get a flash that supports HSS and put it to the back of your mind, screws things up.

Top Tip 4:

I like to set my ambient exposure for -1 and my flash for -1/3. Won't work for every scenario but a starting point. RAW is your friend.

Top Tip 5:

The rules of on camera flash still apply, bounce, swivel, diffuser etc still all work. A basic stand and brolly kit (reflecter and diffuser, you get mini ones for off camera flash) can make things look grrrrreat.

 

[Hobby Shooter]

Top Tip 1:

Get used to one gun.

TopTip 2:

Go to lee lightings website for a guide to using filters to balance light.

Your flash is daylight, you might not always be shooting in daylight. Rosco do colour correction packs. Worth the effort.

Top Tip 3:

Forget about the synch speed. Get a flash that supports HSS and put it to the back of your mind, screws things up.

Top Tip 4:

I like to set my ambient exposure for -1 and my flash for -1/3. Won't work for every scenario but a starting point. RAW is your friend.

Top Tip 5:

The rules of on camera flash still apply, bounce, swivel, diffuser etc still all work. A basic stand and brolly kit (reflecter and diffuser, you get mini ones for off camera flash) can make things look grrrrreat.

Love this thread, this is one of the reasons I log on here almost every day. There is so much to learn.

Paul, I see you have updated your signature with the Powershot now, hope you like it and that it lives up to your expectations.
/J

 

[paul13walnut5]

Paul, I see you have updated your signature with the Powershot now, hope you like it and that it lives up to your expectations.
/J

Yep, using it today. Perfect for snapshots, useful enough indoors, pretty decent outdoors. For the cash I wasn't expecting it to replace my DSLR, but it will be in my pocket or in the glovebox 99% of the time.


Cheers


http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott1shpau1/4686079391/#
WEX brolly kit, 430 EX, 7D & 70-200 f2.8.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott1shpau1/3696201134/#


400D, STE2, 430EX, 17-40 f4L

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott1shpau1/3347977038/#

400D OC Cable, 430 EX, 17-40 f4L

 

[scottkinfw]

I don't claim to be expert, but that said, my advice is to get comfortable with flash in manual mode.

Pocket Wizard recently put out an update that works with the 5D3

sek

 

[Dukinald]

Finally got the RF603s I ordered over the holiday. Snapped a couple of low key shots just to test it out and they came out really good. Can't to try the other strobists stuff that came and apply what I learned from the links provided in this thread.

Although I also ordered the 622s, would like to work fully manual right now to get the hang of it.

The links provided here were really valuable. Maybe the forum admin can make this sticky.

 

[Respinder]

Hi everyone..

I too am new to off-camera flash. I own a 5D Mark III and am looking to purchase a Speedlite 600EX-RT along with a Manfrotto 367B basic light stand (found here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546527-REG/Manfrotto_367B_367B_Basic_Light_Stand.html) with a Manfrotto 026 Swivel Umbrella Adaptor (found here: http://www.adorama.com/BG2905.html).

I had a few questions on this setup I was hoping you all could help me out with:

1. To mount the flash onto the adaptor, I am assuming that the flash stand the 600EX-RT comes with will mount directly onto the adaptor spigot, or do I need to buy another part for this?

2. If I use a wired connection between the flash and the camera, I am assuming I will need a male-to-male PC cord that connects the flash directly to the camera? I've found that the longest distance cords are only 12 feet (like this one here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/373119-REG/Interfit_INT655_PC_Male_to_PC.html) - are there any cords that would be longer, or is there an alternative cord that I should be considering? I've heard of audio sync cord connections, but I guess that would require an audio cord port on both the camera and the light stand? Is that worth the extra cost? What is a decent cord length for off-camera shoots?

3. Alternatively, I could just go wireless and get the ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter for an extra $300 - my only concern is that this price seems pretty steep to me, especially considering that another flash is only $200 more.. any advice here? Is the transmitter really worth it, or should I just go wired for now, and get another flash later?

My apologies for all the questions.. I hope this is the proper forum to post these up on..

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dukinald]

@respinder

Have you considered trying 3rd party RF transceivers like the yongnuo 603/622 or pocket wizard? You can get a pair of 603s for around $30. You have to do your flash settings manually or get higher models which allow you e-ttl pass thru and control speedlites from camera menu options for not much more.

 

[RC]

Hi everyone..

I too am new to off-camera flash. I own a 5D Mark III and am looking to purchase a Speedlite 600EX-RT along with a Manfrotto 367B basic light stand ...

Not an expert, just a hobbyist but here are some other options to consider. These are ideal for OCF and most are recommended by Syl Arena.

Perfect light weight stand for a single Speedlite http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M4HXB2/ref=wms_ohs_product

Not the cheapest route but these small ball heads are really handy to connect your speedlite. (They were more beneficial before when I had my optical flash units making it easy to align) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WN2114/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

1. To mount the flash onto the adaptor, I am assuming that the flash stand the 600EX-RT comes with will mount directly onto the adaptor spigot, or do I need to buy another part for this?

The cold shoes that come with the Speedlite seem flimsy for mounting on a stand. I've only used those for table top mounting. Try these. I bought the plastic one just to avoid pin shorting but I like the metal best.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009UTL1/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i02
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CBTCFC/ref=wms_ohs_product

2. If I use a wired connection between the flash and the camera, I am assuming I will need a male-to-male PC cord that connects the flash directly to the camera? I've found that the longest distance cords are only 12 feet

Instead, use a OCF cable and you can maintain ETTL. http://ocfgear.com/cords-for-canon-ettl/ettl-cord-extra-long/ If you get a ST-E3-RT, you should be able to skip cabling altogether

3. Alternatively, I could just go wireless and get the ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter for an extra $300 - my only concern is that this price seems pretty steep to me, especially considering that another flash is only $200 more.. any advice here? Is the transmitter really worth it, or should I just go wired for now, and get another flash later?

I hesitated on the ST-E3-RT because of the lack of the AF assist light. I bought it anyway and absolutely love it because it is so small and light you can barely tell anything is connected to your hot shoe. That itself is worth it IMO. If I need a AF assist, I'll have to slap on a another 600.