All Forum Comments
I'm using the af360 and the sigma 530 Super. Later this week Im going to get the Honl or Lumiquest gel sets.
Comment by Jboyde posted on Colored gels with umbrellas (does it still work?) at 14/03/2009 - 16:18
Hi. I am very soon going to get gels for colored lighting. The thing is, for the effect to work does the flash have to be directed on the subject? If I use a softbox, umbrella or something like a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer will it really dilate the color?
I'd like to use the subtle gels that can match the flash color to tungsten, fluorescent, etc, but I'd hate to think that now I can't use light modifiers.
I appreciate the help.
~Jeff
I'd like to use the subtle gels that can match the flash color to tungsten, fluorescent, etc, but I'd hate to think that now I can't use light modifiers.
I appreciate the help.
~Jeff
Comment by Jboyde posted on Colored gels with umbrellas (does it still work?) at 13/03/2009 - 06:18
I say go for it! All of my A lenses that have Macro are zoom lenses funny enough.
I see on your list that you have a "nifty 50" A lens. Do you have any more A's? They seem so much sturdier and I think have a better image quality than the newer lenses. The only downside is that theres no AF but it doesn't bother me too much.
I see on your list that you have a "nifty 50" A lens. Do you have any more A's? They seem so much sturdier and I think have a better image quality than the newer lenses. The only downside is that theres no AF but it doesn't bother me too much.
Comment by Jboyde posted on Pentax-A 100mm 2.8 on eBay at 02/03/2009 - 21:40
I would also recommend you get a couple of reflectors. You may think that it may not be necessary since you already have 4 flashes (you make me proud) but there's a certain visual quality that comes from reflected light that you just cant duplicate with a flash. Also, that'll free up a flash for things like kicker and rim lighting.
The stands I bought already have the flash bracket on it that you can take off if you're going to use an AC strobe. But you can always get that separately, make sure to ask.
I live in New York so we have a lot of places to get equipment, like B&H for example. (bhphoto.com) But I can only imagine what the shipping costs would be from here to Spain. The British Pentaxians talk about Jessops a lot. Maybe that would be a better choice for you?
The stands I bought already have the flash bracket on it that you can take off if you're going to use an AC strobe. But you can always get that separately, make sure to ask.
I live in New York so we have a lot of places to get equipment, like B&H for example. (bhphoto.com) But I can only imagine what the shipping costs would be from here to Spain. The British Pentaxians talk about Jessops a lot. Maybe that would be a better choice for you?
Comment by Jboyde posted on Portable studio flash at 25/02/2009 - 16:59
When I use the wireless on both flashes, the preflash is so dim and I think its a split second before the shutter opens that it doesnt show up in the picture. Which is great than having to go into "dumb slave"! Ugh, I hated that. The only downside is that it looks like the wireless function works on "line of sight" so the flash has to "see" the preflash from the camera. Outdoors, I just use the Ebay triggers so its not a big issue.
BTW, how much more latitude have you gotten in RAW as compared to JPG? I really haven't been able to recover parts of an image that are two stops over eV.
BTW, how much more latitude have you gotten in RAW as compared to JPG? I really haven't been able to recover parts of an image that are two stops over eV.
Comment by Jboyde posted on AUTO mode or manual for off-camera lighting? at 24/02/2009 - 21:45
I have the Pentax K200 and I use both the wireless function and/or the Ebay triggers. I'd like to try to streamline my process and I wasn't sure if using the AUTO was a "cheat" so that I wouldnt have to keep metering when I change light locations. However, I think Mannesty is right. Sometimes Manual is the best way to go.
Comment by Jboyde posted on AUTO mode or manual for off-camera lighting? at 24/02/2009 - 21:05
Hi all!
I have a Pentax Af360 and a Sigma 530 Super. I'm trying to figure out if I can reliably use the AUTO on the flashes to make sure I have the proper exposure for a set aperture.
When I tell my 360 to shoot out f8 at, lets say 10 ft, my meter reads it as a stop or two less than what I put in (close to f4.5 or 5.6). I'd hope that if I dial in f8 that I'd get f8. I know the meter's ok because I can take well exposed pictures with it using ambient light. And when I DO use the flashes on manual mode at a given power level then the exposure matches what I have on my meter (Minolta Flashmeter IV).
So, should I just stay in manual and adjust each flash's power to get the light I need? I wonder if thats the only way to stay consistent.
Thanks.
I have a Pentax Af360 and a Sigma 530 Super. I'm trying to figure out if I can reliably use the AUTO on the flashes to make sure I have the proper exposure for a set aperture.
When I tell my 360 to shoot out f8 at, lets say 10 ft, my meter reads it as a stop or two less than what I put in (close to f4.5 or 5.6). I'd hope that if I dial in f8 that I'd get f8. I know the meter's ok because I can take well exposed pictures with it using ambient light. And when I DO use the flashes on manual mode at a given power level then the exposure matches what I have on my meter (Minolta Flashmeter IV).
So, should I just stay in manual and adjust each flash's power to get the light I need? I wonder if thats the only way to stay consistent.
Thanks.
Comment by Jboyde posted on AUTO mode or manual for off-camera lighting? at 23/02/2009 - 19:31
I got mine a few days ago and even though it looks like its twice the size of my 360 its pretty light. The TTL is better, IMHO than the 360 and at last I have a swivel!
My only complaint is that I can't find a true AUTO function on it. Sometimes I just want to set the flash at lets say f5.6 and fire away. In the manual it says that the AUTO function works through the TTL. I dunno, maybe I want to still have some measure of control, besides going full manual.
I set up the wireless flash to go with my k200 so now both the Sigma and my 360 can get triggered by the camera at the same time. I'm LOVING that!
I can honestly say that so far this has been a very good buy. Its better than the 540 at about 3/4 of the price. I got mine for US$199.
My only complaint is that I can't find a true AUTO function on it. Sometimes I just want to set the flash at lets say f5.6 and fire away. In the manual it says that the AUTO function works through the TTL. I dunno, maybe I want to still have some measure of control, besides going full manual.
I set up the wireless flash to go with my k200 so now both the Sigma and my 360 can get triggered by the camera at the same time. I'm LOVING that!
I can honestly say that so far this has been a very good buy. Its better than the 540 at about 3/4 of the price. I got mine for US$199.
Comment by Jboyde posted on Sigma EF 530 DG ST Flashgun at 03/02/2009 - 20:46
Hi. Just wanted to update you on some good news. Seems that Santa thought I was good enough all year for me to get the K200d! Well, I can happily say that the issue of the M lenses shooting wide open all the time has been resolved. It turns out that it WAS the camera that was the culprit! All of my older lenses do stop-down metering perfectly on the 200d! Now I just have to remember to press the Green button instead of the Ae-L.
Joy!!!
Joy!!!
Comment by Jboyde posted on *M lenses shoot wide open on my K100D at 26/12/2008 - 17:07
laurencea wrote:
i have used Manual lenses on a k100d and i have the camera set to Manual mode... the aperture WON'T display in the LCD screen, only the shutter speed... you adjust the aperture via the ring on the lens.
i noticed that the k100d does only seem to meter as if the lens is wide, so i tend to take a reading in Av mode and work out what it will be if i close the lens down. as i use the M lenses for macro i can get away with playing. if in doubt, use the preview button instead of taking a shot.
i did find that as i used the lens(es) more i could judge roughly what the shutter speed should be if using the aperture closed down.
alas, i don't think there is a way to meter accurately on a 100d at anything other than wide open - unless my body has the same problem as yours! i must admit, it makes no sense as the aperture is physically being closed.
It may be a physical "defect" of the K100 "non-super" body. At least the lens does physically work. I'm going to upgrade to the K200 pretty soon and I'm hoping that this won't be an issue with it. For now, I'll just use it as my "low-light" lens.i have used Manual lenses on a k100d and i have the camera set to Manual mode... the aperture WON'T display in the LCD screen, only the shutter speed... you adjust the aperture via the ring on the lens.
i noticed that the k100d does only seem to meter as if the lens is wide, so i tend to take a reading in Av mode and work out what it will be if i close the lens down. as i use the M lenses for macro i can get away with playing. if in doubt, use the preview button instead of taking a shot.
i did find that as i used the lens(es) more i could judge roughly what the shutter speed should be if using the aperture closed down.
alas, i don't think there is a way to meter accurately on a 100d at anything other than wide open - unless my body has the same problem as yours! i must admit, it makes no sense as the aperture is physically being closed.
Thank you for all of your help. Maybe now I can contribute information rather than asking for it!
Comment by Jboyde posted on *M lenses shoot wide open on my K100D at 08/12/2008 - 19:56
