Basic Flash Advice (indoor party)
Posted 18/07/2011 - 16:15
Link
My first flash was the Pentax 360, with full PTTL, wireless etc. When I realised all I really wanted to do was take a few bounce flash shots indoors, I realised I could do this with a more basic unit perfectly well, and sold the 360 to help fuel my LBA! I was lucky as I got my first flash at a knock-down price, but a lot of people don't realise how easy it is to use manual flash, and I wonder how many people use more advanced flashes to their full potential. Flash enthusiasts will do, of course.
Posted 18/07/2011 - 17:39
Link
Mannesty wrote:
My advice is, buy Mattmatic's flash guide, get yourself a Pentax AF500FTZ flash with a Sto-Fen diffuser, then practice, practice, and practice.
All of the above should come within your budget.
I'm sorry, but this is just silly advice for a beginner. The 500FTZ isn't cheap, he might as well spend the extra few quid and get a PTTL flash which he can use straight away without spending ages studying and practicing. My advice is, buy Mattmatic's flash guide, get yourself a Pentax AF500FTZ flash with a Sto-Fen diffuser, then practice, practice, and practice.
All of the above should come within your budget.
Oddly enough your suggestion in the other flash thread was equally ludicrous. Feeling a bit contrary today are we?
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 18/07/2011 - 21:55
Link
Strokes for folks, horses for courses. Ludicrous? Maybe to you. To the rest of mankind, or at least, serious photographers? I doubt it.
In one thread, the OP was asking about a strobe setup. I mentioned a possible alternative. It's not a crime to think alternatives.
In this thread, the OP was asking about a basic (INDOOR PARTY) setup. The AF500FTZ is perhaps the best flash Pentax ever produced, and with a little help, would suit the OP's requirements, and more.
Where did I go wrong?
Contrary? No. Informative? Yes. Where do you fit? Did you miss the point that the OP has a month to prepare? Long enough I would have thought.
In one thread, the OP was asking about a strobe setup. I mentioned a possible alternative. It's not a crime to think alternatives.
In this thread, the OP was asking about a basic (INDOOR PARTY) setup. The AF500FTZ is perhaps the best flash Pentax ever produced, and with a little help, would suit the OP's requirements, and more.
Where did I go wrong?
Contrary? No. Informative? Yes. Where do you fit? Did you miss the point that the OP has a month to prepare? Long enough I would have thought.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 18/07/2011 - 22:22
Link
thoughton wrote:
Beginners are only beginners for a short time. I think my posts have given the OP's something to think about. Can you say the same about yours?
Mannesty wrote:
My advice is, buy Mattmatic's flash guide, get yourself a Pentax AF500FTZ flash with a Sto-Fen diffuser, then practice, practice, and practice.
All of the above should come within your budget.
I'm sorry, but this is just silly advice for a beginner.My advice is, buy Mattmatic's flash guide, get yourself a Pentax AF500FTZ flash with a Sto-Fen diffuser, then practice, practice, and practice.
All of the above should come within your budget.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 19/07/2011 - 10:18
Link
Does it really take 3 posts to rebut my argument?
£100 isn't cheap for a used flash that doesn't even have an auto mode. He could spend an extra £20 or so and get a used Pentax or Samsung 360, and get auto and PTTL. All he gets with the 500 is more power.
And as for suggesting constant lighting gear for "a starter strobist setup mostly for portraits both indoors and outdoors", I'm afraid I stand by my original assessment.
£100 isn't cheap for a used flash that doesn't even have an auto mode. He could spend an extra £20 or so and get a used Pentax or Samsung 360, and get auto and PTTL. All he gets with the 500 is more power.
And as for suggesting constant lighting gear for "a starter strobist setup mostly for portraits both indoors and outdoors", I'm afraid I stand by my original assessment.
Tim
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
AF - Pentax K5, Sigma 10-20/4-5.6, Tamron 17-50/2.8, Sigma 30/1.4, Sigma 70-200/2.8, Tamron 70-300/4-5.6
MF - Vivitar CF 28/2.8, Tamron AD2 90/2.5, MTO 1000/11
Stuff - Metz 58 AF1, Cactus v4, Nikon SB24, Raynox 150, Sigma 1.4x TC, Sigma 2x TC, Kenko 2x macro TC, Redsnapper 283 tripod, iMac 27”, Macbook Pro 17”, iPad, iPhone 3G
Flickr • Fluidr • PPG • Street • Portfolio site
Feel free to edit any of my posted photos! If I post a photo for critique, I want brutal honesty. If you don't like it, please say so and tell me why!
Posted 30/07/2011 - 08:00
Link
just buy a good quality flash (like the Metz 58 AF-1), you can use your kit lens (sure you can, why not?) and use these settings
Camera on M-modus, F5,6, shutterspeed around 0"3s and ISO800. Flash TTL, FEC @ -2/3 and 1st curtain.
if everything's turn out well it should look like this
more photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/seventiesphotography/sets/72157626861988543/]here]
oh and btw, a diffuser is for pussies
Camera on M-modus, F5,6, shutterspeed around 0"3s and ISO800. Flash TTL, FEC @ -2/3 and 1st curtain.
if everything's turn out well it should look like this
more photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/seventiesphotography/sets/72157626861988543/]here]
oh and btw, a diffuser is for pussies
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
6794 posts
17 years
Nottingham
FGD30DX is listed as 3-6v which is fine.
A slightly different model, FGD30, has been measured at 200v though!
Cobra 700AF is one I can personally vouch for, listed as 4v.