Cactus Radio P-TTL Update Released

My first attempt at using the Cactus triggers mixing flash with natural light, there was a skylight in the roof above the stairs in a Georgian house I'd organised a shoot with this lass.

I rigged up a Cactus RF60 on a stand about 2.5m up firing into an white umbrella and reflecting backwards with a Pentax flash on my Cactus trigger adding light into the room behind the door to add depth.

Quite pleased with the results, I was hoping to do some outdoor stuff earlier this week, but the extreme cold on Tuesday scuppered that, hoping to have another go this Wed or Thurs.

Thoughts and comments appreciated please.

I like the setting Chris and the light in the room behind is a great idea, but it seems to me your model is a bit dark/flat ? maybe just my monitor. I don't think the dark area on the stairwell below her adds to the scene either, sorry.

Thanks Peter,

This is pretty much straight from the camera so I can try and lift the area under the stairs, the lass isn't dark on my monitor, but I'd be keen to know from other PU users please if you find the same.

I didn't have another flashgun or trigger to be able to light the lower stairwell, I also think it draws the eye to the dress by not competing in terms of brightness, but that may just be me ?

Good to see it all finally in action! Is this P-TTL or Manual Chris?

I like the scenario it's a great location and the tones of the building really enhance your model and her outfit.

I would probably prefer a tighter framing, perhaps removing the area below. Otherwise I think it would have to be lit.

What's unusual I find is that all the drama, the interesting light, is behind that door! I think that's where the model should be ! I really mean, perhaps a stronger directional main light (maybe looking like it's beaming out from the doorway) with more contrast across her, would bring a lift to it. As it is it does seem a little dim and flat.

But it's a great idea and I really hope you get more chances to try things out there.

Thanks for your views Nigel, This was fully manual

Why don't you try with something simpler next time? I am looking forward to when finally I can move house (buying properties in the UK is getting really painful), to setup a studio in the garage. First exercise should be about learning all the lighting setups (although I did these kind of exercises before with heads for wigs ). Focusing on the model and lightings, with a black or white background, should be the starting point.

One thing I notice Chris is your picture does not have a colour space tag. Was this intentional ?

Hi Peter, no, not intentional, when I get a mo, I'll check the original Tiff, could it have been lost in the transfer to a save for web jpeg?

I just had a quick go at adjusting the levels in photoshop which I think improves things, or is this too bright now (maybe my monitor needs adjusting)

It brings it to life, for sure! It may have just been contrast /levels sort of issue.

Thanks Peter, yes, I agree, that's much better

The bit of the scene through the open door has a patch that is very much brighter than the rest of the picture. If one just looked at a luminance histogram it shows the original picture is perfectly exposed. But all these technological whizathingymies are just there to confuse us. I just dragged the levels highlight slider to the left and your model jumped out of the picture at me.

With the proviso about the lower stairs being too dark I really like the image and the idea.

The flash gun on full power, was just to the left of the open door, behind the frame, probably in hindsight that should have been on half power or less.

I'll go back and tweak the levels on the images.

Following updates to the most recent 'X-TTL' firmware versions, I have now had time to test my set-up properly. Previous bugs with 2nd Curtain Sync and Manual HSS have been resolved.

I have posted a User Review of my V6II / RF60x / X-TTL system at PentaxForums.com ...... please check it out : link

Thanks Nigel , i will look that up for sure.