Recommend me a good 'auto' flash please
Posted 13/12/2011 - 15:59
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Will you be allowed to use flash in the church during the ceremony???
I wouldnt hesitate to recommend the Metz range though...
I wouldnt hesitate to recommend the Metz range though...
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Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 13/12/2011 - 16:18
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For one of the weddings they're not going to have a church wedding. For the church wedding- I hadn't thought about that. probably not.
I suppose so a flash for general use but simple to use.
Someone recommended a Pentax AF360FGZ a few minutes ago.
Ideally I don't want to spend ages researching, happy to get a recommendation or two and then decide. (I get extremelly bogged down with analysis paralysis).
cheers,
pa.
I suppose so a flash for general use but simple to use.
Someone recommended a Pentax AF360FGZ a few minutes ago.
Ideally I don't want to spend ages researching, happy to get a recommendation or two and then decide. (I get extremelly bogged down with analysis paralysis).
cheers,
pa.
Posted 13/12/2011 - 17:06 - Helpful Comment
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A cheaper and in my opinion a better option would be to try and get hold of a AF280T. TTL will not work, but the flash as two Auto settings as well as Manual. It also a fully rotating head. They date back to the 80's, but were well made and readily come up on eBay for 20-30GBP. Try it, get used to it and what it can do. If you find you prefer more automation (PTTL) you can always sell it on.
Regards - Steve
Regards - Steve
Posted 13/12/2011 - 17:10 - Helpful Comment
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You want a head that can tilt and swivel; AF360 only tilts which is a major disadvantage when shooting with in camera in portrait position.
If I remember correctly, the K7 has AF assist light in the body; if not, I personally would add AF assist to the list of wanted options for the flash.
As the AF540 is more than likely outside your budget, I'll second the suggestion for Metz. The mecablitz 50AF-1 is currently on special on B&H (and also at Amazon if I'm not mistaken) for US$199 (see thread at pentaxforums) and even comes with some extras.
If I remember correctly, the K7 has AF assist light in the body; if not, I personally would add AF assist to the list of wanted options for the flash.
As the AF540 is more than likely outside your budget, I'll second the suggestion for Metz. The mecablitz 50AF-1 is currently on special on B&H (and also at Amazon if I'm not mistaken) for US$199 (see thread at pentaxforums) and even comes with some extras.
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Posted 13/12/2011 - 20:06
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When I say auto I mean a flash that's easy to use and doesn't require me to change, check settings a lot....
I think one problem with tht AF280T is that the wait time between flash being ready is 'long'. I'd like something that has a quick wait/dead time between flashes.
Yes, the K-7 has AF assist light.
Basically I don't know what I need in the flash but just want one that requires me to do as little as possible and had quick 'wait/dead' time between flash being ready.
I think one problem with tht AF280T is that the wait time between flash being ready is 'long'. I'd like something that has a quick wait/dead time between flashes.
Yes, the K-7 has AF assist light.
Basically I don't know what I need in the flash but just want one that requires me to do as little as possible and had quick 'wait/dead' time between flash being ready.
Posted 13/12/2011 - 20:38
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I never found the AF280T to tardy in Auto Mode as the flash is rarely fully discharged.
I have a 360 and several 280s and tend to use a 280 most.
Regards Steve
I have a 360 and several 280s and tend to use a 280 most.
Regards Steve
Posted 13/12/2011 - 21:08 - Helpful Comment
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Metz 50 or 58! Full P-TTL and the best manual control level of any flash 1/1 to 1/128 in 1/3rd stop increments for the 50 and up to 1/256 for the 58. Tilt and swivel, AF assist and much cheaper than Pentax versions.
The Pentax 360 has a poor reputation for the battery door lock breaking and cells falling out. Don't know if they ever fixed that design flaw.
I use 2 Metz 58 AF-1s as my on-camera flash units.
Having said that though I find that I am generally shooting with no flash or off camera flashes.
There is just so much you cannot do with the flash stuck on the camera.
The Pentax 360 has a poor reputation for the battery door lock breaking and cells falling out. Don't know if they ever fixed that design flaw.
I use 2 Metz 58 AF-1s as my on-camera flash units.
Having said that though I find that I am generally shooting with no flash or off camera flashes.
There is just so much you cannot do with the flash stuck on the camera.
Posted 14/12/2011 - 12:48
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Thanks for the suggestions.
How steep a learning curve is there with the Metz 50/58?
Can anyone tell me very briefly how I use it with my camera?
Can I leave it in 'auto' mode (if there is one), select my aperture and the camera/flash will set the shutter speed automatically?
Does flash have any effect on depth of field/blurrd background shots etc?
Or how does it work?
Thanks,
pa.
How steep a learning curve is there with the Metz 50/58?
Can anyone tell me very briefly how I use it with my camera?
Can I leave it in 'auto' mode (if there is one), select my aperture and the camera/flash will set the shutter speed automatically?
Does flash have any effect on depth of field/blurrd background shots etc?
Or how does it work?
Thanks,
pa.
Posted 14/12/2011 - 14:26 - Helpful Comment
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Here is how I use mine
camera manual mode
aperture f/4
shutter 1/125
ISO 800
Flash pttl
Seems to work for me, don't ask me how...
For my low light gig work I use it totally different
Aperture f/2.8
shutter 1/160
ISO 1600
flash manual 1/128
These settings I use for fill flsash
Everyone works differently, I think the expert on flash is mattmattic..
camera manual mode
aperture f/4
shutter 1/125
ISO 800
Flash pttl
Seems to work for me, don't ask me how...
For my low light gig work I use it totally different
Aperture f/2.8
shutter 1/160
ISO 1600
flash manual 1/128
These settings I use for fill flsash
Everyone works differently, I think the expert on flash is mattmattic..
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 14/12/2011 - 20:30
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I don't have the Metz, but the AF540 (should not make much of a difference)
Camera:
1)
fixed ISO
2)
aperture for required DOF; be aware that a flash can basically only properly expose a subject at one distance; in front of that will be over exposed, behind that will be underexposed. Bounce will help a little
Flash:
pTTL if supported, else auto
In auto, you might have to set aperture and ISO on the flash (just check if the flash gets the values from the camera or not)
Further, read the basics of flash in the camera manual (relationship between guide number, distance and aperture and the effect of I on guide number); it will probably also in the flash's manual.
You can crank up the ISO a bit or use a wider aperture if images are underexposed or (in pTTL and maybe in other modes as well) use flash EV compensation.
It will always be a bit of trial and error. Practice so you know the ins and outs.
Camera:
1)
fixed ISO
2)
aperture for required DOF; be aware that a flash can basically only properly expose a subject at one distance; in front of that will be over exposed, behind that will be underexposed. Bounce will help a little
Flash:
pTTL if supported, else auto
In auto, you might have to set aperture and ISO on the flash (just check if the flash gets the values from the camera or not)
Further, read the basics of flash in the camera manual (relationship between guide number, distance and aperture and the effect of I on guide number); it will probably also in the flash's manual.
You can crank up the ISO a bit or use a wider aperture if images are underexposed or (in pTTL and maybe in other modes as well) use flash EV compensation.
It will always be a bit of trial and error. Practice so you know the ins and outs.
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Posted 15/12/2011 - 11:27 - Helpful Comment
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I have the Metz 48. Must say using it on the camera pointing forward is one way to ruin a good shot (unless it is for fill flash in which case the majority of the light is from ambient). Using a flash will not suddenly make your photos better. Personally I have found flash to be the steepest learning of a SLR. While you did mention that we must not say "don't do it", let me just say only use the flash once you have perfected it! Perhaps it is better to get / borrow / hire a fast lens rather than use a flash.
Flash is best when indirect. Churches / halls mostly have non-white walls / ceilings and far away as well which prevents bounce.
Flash is best when indirect. Churches / halls mostly have non-white walls / ceilings and far away as well which prevents bounce.
Posted 15/12/2011 - 11:39
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I use my flash directly all the time, however Ido have a cheap ebay diffuser on it.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Posted 05/01/2012 - 16:21
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Would something like the AF500FTZ be a lot easier/simplier to use than the AF280T?
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647 posts
16 years
I have a Pentax K-7, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8.
I'm doing my first wedding photography next year, 2 weddings for friends (dont' get sidetracked with 'dont' do it' etc...).
So I'm thinking of buying a flash to help me out with the lowlight/church and indoor shots. It'd be great to be able to snap away without having to worry about blur due to reduced shutter speed.
I'm not sure of my budget constraints yet (I'd say €200-300 max, happy to buy 2nd hand).
Ideally I'd like a flash that's simple to use, easy to learn and works away as-automatically-as-possible without me having to constantly adjust settings on it.
So anyone have any recommendations? I won't be buying it immediately but would like to have an idea of what's recommended?
Thanks in advance,
Pa
Pa
http://www.photoblog.ie where every post have a musical reference as it's title.