Video University: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers: Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

See The New VU Postcard Catalog

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 9:47 AM

Post #1 of 17 (1887 views)
Shortcut

Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D	Can't Post

I'm looking to begin the dive into Wedding Photography in addition to the Videography but know nothing about which flash unit I should be looking into. What do I need to look for and can you recommend a few I should consider along with accessories for that. TIA
_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 10:03 AM

Post #2 of 17 (1886 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Storm Crow] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

20D is compatable with E-TTL II. So go with the 580ex. It's more powerful and smaller than the 550. I'm shooting with a 580 and am very fond of it.

I've heard good things about the Metz units but don't have any experience with them. I can ask a friend. He just purchased a Metz flash for his 1Ds.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 10:37 AM

Post #3 of 17 (1880 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Glen Elliott] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

So go with the 580ex. It's more powerful and smaller than the 550. I'm shooting with a 580 and am very fond of it.

I've heard good things about the Metz units but don't have any experience with them. I can ask a friend. He just purchased a Metz flash for his 1Ds.

Glen what brand is the 580ex, SunPak.....etc. I have no clue Unsure

_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 11:15 AM

Post #4 of 17 (1876 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Storm Crow] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Canon 580ex.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

ChopSueyChris
User

Jan 21, 2005, 11:39 AM

Post #5 of 17 (1874 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Glen Elliott] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dennis Reggie uses ONLY the 580ex's..so they are gold. I love mine as well.worth the 420 bucks!!!
====================
I got some stuff.

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 12:00 PM

Post #6 of 17 (1865 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ChopSueyChris] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Looks good and seems to have very good controls for adjustments. Will I need a diffuser or extra battery pack(s)?
_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

ChopSueyChris
User

Jan 21, 2005, 12:16 PM

Post #7 of 17 (1862 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Storm Crow] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

i use the gary fongs lightsphere. LOVE IT and only 40 bucks
http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=3354218&showprevnext=1

batteries? i use nickle metal hydride batteries. i have 3 sets and 1- 1.5 hr charger.
4aa batteries will last 150-300 flashes.

you can use an external battery from sunpak,quantum instruments or canons official battery which runs for 140 i think on bhphoto.com, I am thinking about buying the shoulder pack for my digi work because if you try and shoot 3-4 pics per second the flash doesnt recycle fast enough where the ext bat has afaster recycle.

Also I use the verticle shooting/extra battery compartment for my digi rebel, shooting verticle as needed and with 2 bp-511 camera batteries used works great as I can shoot 1000+pics with no need to change to my third cam batt.
====================
I got some stuff.

Darryl
User

Jan 21, 2005, 12:21 PM

Post #8 of 17 (1858 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ChopSueyChris] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

i use the gary fongs lightsphere.

Glad to see someone finally got theirs shipped. I know he was overwhelmed with orders. Does it work as well as expected?

I have both the 550 and 580ex. My assistant has another 580 and 420. We set them up as master/slave groups and can fire all of them wirelessly. pretty cool- no extra equipment needed.
........................................................
Darryl

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 12:23 PM

Post #9 of 17 (1856 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ChopSueyChris] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Chris...thanks for the information! I think I know what you mean as many of the weddings I have done the photog has to wait to take the next picture because his batteries need to recycle. I would probably want to eventually go with a shoulder battery pack.

On another note....your out of gumballs Tongue

ChopSueyChris
User

Jan 21, 2005, 12:27 PM

Post #10 of 17 (1854 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Darryl] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

I ordered mine early Dec for the 580.. and had it by end of Dec.

It works great as needed close up (5-10) feet when bounced or as i do it @ a 45deg angle. fills in shadows undereyes where you'd get them when you bounce normally.

Plus for upclose model work on location I have done with it, it works great as a fill light.

I want to buy myself maybe a used 420 to use as a hairlight backlight although for model work using a 300w tota light with gels has been great on location for me.
====================
I got some stuff.

Storm Crow
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 12:30 PM

Post #11 of 17 (1853 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ChopSueyChris] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Do you foresee getting some portable studio lights in the future?
_________________________________________________

Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
_________________________________________________

ChopSueyChris
User

Jan 21, 2005, 12:43 PM

Post #12 of 17 (1852 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Storm Crow] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Do you foresee getting some portable studio lights in the future?

ya, boss uses dynalights. he has 6 heads and 4 1000w packs.

So when needed i use his, but i want to buy an alien bee 400w pack for my own use as needed.
====================
I got some stuff.

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 1:12 PM

Post #13 of 17 (1848 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Storm Crow] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use a sto-fen omni bounce. $15

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

Darryl
User

Jan 21, 2005, 1:45 PM

Post #14 of 17 (1839 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Glen Elliott] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I use a sto-fen omni bounce. $15

The omni bounce works great.
I just ordered the gold one too out of curiousity. We have been using a gold reflector with great results, but someone has to hold it.
........................................................
Darryl

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 2:09 PM

Post #15 of 17 (1830 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Darryl] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's why I purchased the light disc holder (Photoflex) and stand.

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com

djtoltz
User

Jan 21, 2005, 6:49 PM

Post #16 of 17 (1819 views)
Shortcut

Re: [ChopSueyChris] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

Normally, I loath on-camera flash lighting (except when used as fill in bright sun), but this thing looks really cool. Thanks for the tip.
---
Douglas Toltzman
Hubert, NC

GmElliott
Veteran

Jan 21, 2005, 6:53 PM

Post #17 of 17 (1815 views)
Shortcut

Re: [djtoltz] Help me understand which Flash I will need with the 20D [In reply to]	Can't Post

lol...very interesting. Looks a little phalic to me. Angelic

Glen Elliott
http://www.GmElliottVideo.com