recommended flash for weddings
Posted 08/03/2013 - 21:00
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I have had several diferent started with metz 48af nice compact flash but wanted more,
move onto pentax 360 good but not powerful enough,did borrow other flashes, but in the end found Pentax 540 the best for me,more than enough power and well equiped for all i need...
with the k7, k5 and k5ii always need -0.5 on flash settings,
even onboard flash
move onto pentax 360 good but not powerful enough,did borrow other flashes, but in the end found Pentax 540 the best for me,more than enough power and well equiped for all i need...
with the k7, k5 and k5ii always need -0.5 on flash settings,
even onboard flash
Posted 08/03/2013 - 21:08
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I would second that the 540 is great about as good as you can get ....
Though pentax is not known for it flash system it needs to be upgraded
and reworked IMHO...
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Though pentax is not known for it flash system it needs to be upgraded
and reworked IMHO...
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Blueforever wrote:
I have had several diferent started with metz 48af nice compact flash but wanted more,
move onto pentax 360 good but not powerful enough,did borrow other flashes, but in the end found Pentax 540 the best for me,more than enough power and well equiped for all i need...
with the k7, k5 and k5ii always need -0.5 on flash settings,
even onboard flash
I have had several diferent started with metz 48af nice compact flash but wanted more,
move onto pentax 360 good but not powerful enough,did borrow other flashes, but in the end found Pentax 540 the best for me,more than enough power and well equiped for all i need...
with the k7, k5 and k5ii always need -0.5 on flash settings,
even onboard flash
k-5, K-5ii,60-250 f4, 50 f1.4 af,17-70 f4, 100mm macro wr,siggy 10-20 siggy 100-300f4
Posted 08/03/2013 - 21:32
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The Pentax 540 is the obvious choice, but you may struggle to find one within your budget. Both new and used at SRS exceed it.
Metz are a popular choice and offer a good balance of power, features and price.
Metz are a popular choice and offer a good balance of power, features and price.
Posted 08/03/2013 - 21:39
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I forgot, the Samsung 54PZF is the same as the Pentax 540 and there's one for sale in the Classified Adverts Forum (no connection with the seller).
Posted 08/03/2013 - 22:26
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If you are looking for a flash for wedding work my advice would be to pick a model with A mode (auto flash setting) more reliable than P-TTL when things are fast paced and you need to use flash. Top end Pentax & Metz modules have this feature. Lumiquest make some great ultra portable soft box's which are ideal for wedding work.
Fletcher8.
Posted 09/03/2013 - 00:30
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If money is tight, look for the Sigma EF610 DG Super. The interface isn't too intuitive (that's the understatement of the century), but it has the power and capacity to do the job well.
Once you're used to the interface idiosyncrasies, it's a pretty decent unit. I have four Sigma flashes now, and never regretted buying them.
Once you're used to the interface idiosyncrasies, it's a pretty decent unit. I have four Sigma flashes now, and never regretted buying them.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Posted 09/03/2013 - 03:03
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thanks for the comments. i will take all into consideration!
Fletcher8 wrote:
If you are looking for a flash for wedding work my advice would be to pick a model with A mode (auto flash setting) more reliable than P-TTL when things are fast paced and you need to use flash. Top end Pentax & Metz modules have this feature. Lumiquest make some great ultra portable soft box's which are ideal for wedding work.
interesting. Can you elaborate more on the differences with shooting in pttl and auto flash mode?
If you are looking for a flash for wedding work my advice would be to pick a model with A mode (auto flash setting) more reliable than P-TTL when things are fast paced and you need to use flash. Top end Pentax & Metz modules have this feature. Lumiquest make some great ultra portable soft box's which are ideal for wedding work.
just a newbie with a good eye
Posted 09/03/2013 - 08:01 - Helpful Comment
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I think most people who have used P-TTL would agree that it is not reliable and the system is in need of a major upgrade. With regard to the auto mode on some flash models I certainly can't explain the technical in's and out's, but basically it works as follows. The auto mode has a number of flash aperture settings, say f/2.8 , f/5.6 you then set your camera to the same aperture and your image in terms of flash has the correct exposure, it is far more reliable than P-TTL and is effective when you need to use flash on the go and don't have time to adjust flash power when shooting in manual. I have a Metz 58 that has this auto feature and it really comes in handy when you need it, but personally I prefer to shoot in manual when using flash as you have more control and once you have set up the flash your results are consistent. There are some good articles on the web if you search for them about shooting flash in auto mode and they explain the tech stuff together with the limitations.
Fletcher8.
Posted 09/03/2013 - 09:47 - Helpful Comment
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I'd agree that P-TTL can be unpredictable however my own method for working at weddings is to use the 360 flash with a Stofen Omnibounce diffuser on P and the flash set to underexpose by 1.5 stops. As a fill this gives just enough lift and a catchlight in the eyes. The downside is that if someone has a tendency to blink then they will have their eyes shut in the picture because of the pre-flash firework display.
For interior groups and so on I use studio flashes.
For interior groups and so on I use studio flashes.
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
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30 posts
15 years
I have around £250 to spend on a flash with p-ttl to be paired with my k5 II.
I have a yongnuo manual flash which i used on a previous wedding but found myself fiddling with the settings too much and missing those special moments.
So i need a flash where i can shoot and not worry about exposure etc. i need a flash which is consistent and has fast refresh times. Ill be shooting both bounce indoors and direct flash outdoors with a small soft box/diffuser attached to it.
Any recommendations?
cheers