Wide angle flash

I need to get a flash for my first ever commissioned work, and I want one that can get to 10mm. It seems 18mm is the limit as advertised for all the flashes I have looked at (Metz, Pentax, Sigma) but does anyone know of any flash or attachment for a flash that will work with a Sigma 10-20? Or failing that, some advice on using slaves to get full coverage of both internal (complete coverage up to 10 meters or so) and external (fill-in} shots at 10mm?

Rgds,
Jon

From experience at some shots I took with the DA12-24 - ignoring the fact that metering doesn't working - the angle of the flash (AF-360) is way too narrow even when diffused. I'd look at Lighting the scene rather than flashes if even coverage is required, otherwise use an off-board flash(s) manually metered to highlight specific areas.

Strobists would know more, though.

I wonder if a sto-fen or other diffusers would work.

The metz flashes goes down to 12mm with the wide angle, the question is, is that on 135 format or APS-C? I think it's in 135 format so it would be 8mm for APS-C, that should be wide enough.

btw, I don't see the Metz 48 on their site anymore but I do see a Metz 50, is that a new flash?
Yep it is, the Metz 50 is the replacement for the Metz 48, don't know what they have changed besides the guidenumber.

Take a look at the Sto-fen web site, there is an example of a picture taken with a fish-eye lens. The sto-fen Omnibounce is a simple and effective piece of kit and gives quite a pleasing light in circumstances where you have to use direct flash.

My wife remarked, "You paid £15.99 for that? Could you not just have used a Tupperware box?"

Thanks for that, looks like a Metz 50 and a Sto-fen omnibounce might be the way to go

Will combining them work? I had always thought you achieved maximum spread with the stofen by pointing it straight up (the 'bare bulb' technique that strobist.com talks about)?

The whole stofen becomes the light source, but because the front is illuminated directly that would be the brightest so a wide flash angle should make the sides lighten up more than using a narrow angle.
Still the problem is though if you point it up you're using the side as direct light and the brightest part is bounced from the ceiling so you probably will cut the flash power to 1/8th (if not more).
If you're indoors, it might be better to simply bounce the flash from the ceiling, might be more efficient.

Btw stofen/omni bounces only preform as advertised in close spaces, out side the light has no where to bounce off from so it won't soften the flash light.
A softbox type diffuser will work out doors because they increase the source where the light is coming from.
Here is a read about it (apparent light size) link

It's 135 format.

Thank you Yves, the it's wide enough for the sigma 10-20

Stefan, you keep banging on about this and I have to say you are wrong in your constant assertions about the Sto-fen Omnibounce.

I have one AND I have read the instructions. The correct way to use them at close quarters is to tilt the head at 45 degrees. At longer distances and outdoors you use it straight on. Despite what you claim about them, outdoors, the flash gives an entirely different and rather pleasing light.

Maximum flash distance is reduced by 2.5x.

With regards to wide angle flash coverage, surely this is one of those times when a 35mm lens is a 35mm lens, regardless of whether it's on a film or an APS-C sensor body? I know I get very dark corners from a flash intended to work with a 35mm lens if I use it with an 18mm. Add the cheap diffuser I mentioned elsewhere and all is well, even with direct flash.

Correct! The Sto-fen actually covers a 15mm lens on 35mm film

It's the angle of view that matters like you thinks.
The newer flashguns do show the coverage for APS-C format but the older flashes don't have that support so will show the coverage for 135format but those numbers will be off with a factor off 1.5

Sorry Ken but they don't work outdoors for the reason that I've said, if not show me a photo that makes a difference because I don't see a difference when I use the Sto-fen outdoors.

On the lumiqeust site you can read about the different flash modifiers and the principals they work with link

This what they say about their UltraBounce (sto-fen/omni-bounce).

Gosh it's all getting very scientific!

I like the idea of the Metz 50, especially if it will cover 10mm on the K7. With the flash used straight on, will there be any problem of the shadow of the lens appearing in the frame, as it does with the onboard flash at 10mm? Also, surely you can get round the problem of the diffuser reducing the power of the flash by using ev compensation?

I'm in Washington at the moment, so tomorrow will go and see if I can find the flash and diffuser.

Thanks for the info, I am a complete novice with flash, even though years ago I had a dedicated one for a Ricoh KR10 which was fun.

Rgds,
Jon.

yep...complicated... I'd just grab whatever flash unit I had kicking around, point it up, stick a white plastic/styrofaom/paper cup on it and go....