Photography kit sanity check

[AshD93]

Hi all,

Need some advice regarding the flash set up I use. As a bit of background, I am a amateur photographer who mainly takes photos for a hobby, primarily doing photoshoots or "natural" photos at family events etc. I tend to shy away from actually being the main photographer at any event.

However this week I may be photographing for someone at a pre-wedding ceremony. I should stress the only reason I offered was because they were going to use someone with a 70d and a kit lens (and thats it, no flashes, no extra kit, nothing hence why I'm the better choice)

My current kit includes:

700d w/ Kit Lens (18-55 f/3.5 - f/5), 40mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.8
2 x Yongnuo 565 EX flashes
2 x 622c flash transceivers plus the 622c-tx controller for them
Various cheap tripods, flash umbrellas, backdrops etc

I wanted to introduce a HSS flash into my lineup so that when I walk about with the camera, I could take photos above 1/200 (i.e. outdoors to light up faces as fill flash). This is where my dilema comes in. I'm looking at the 568 and the 600rt by Yongnuo.

Both flashes are HSS however as I'm sure you'll know, one is Radio Triggered and one will require a wireless trigger base (or a light trigger).

I was thinking it would be advisable to go for the 568 flash and two more 622c bases. The idea being I could (if needs be) get another 568 flash after some time giving me a four flash wireless setup with two HSS sync flashes and two basic fill flashes.

On the other hand, I could replace my gear with a couple of 600RT's.

It would cost be £170 to add two 568's and to 622cs to my kit but £400 for 4x 600RT's and the related controller.


Essentially, convenience and all flashes being HSS for £400 vs only two flashes being HSS and needing separate bases for £170


SOOOOO... Am I right in saying the 568's and the 622's would be the better choice considering my usage and the functionality offered in comparison to the price? Or am I missing something obvious (hence why I ask you guys as I know you'll correct me!)

Many thanks in advance, apologies for the essay.

tl;dr: New flashes needed, new 568 and 622c's to add to my 2x565s and 2x622c's and 622c tx for £170 total vs 4 x 600rt and controller for £400.

 

[AshD93]

You don't need fill in flash in the day, I never do. You just pay attention to the light around you and have people stand in shades and/or over expose to compensate on the fly.

Thanks for replying Ray. Am I right in saying I would be purposely causing the background to clip to white as a result in this sunny weather spell we are having? Or in general, I should still get usuble background data?

I'm intending to practice during this week. It's just getting a opportunity to get out in the sunny weather.

Also, would it be beneficial to get the flash gear anyway? I.em to add the HSS sync flash to the line up.

And finally on a side note any suggestions for a very strong tripod around the £150 mark. Not too fussed about travel, I generally don't do landscape photography. I looked at Red Snappers which seem to be popular. These are my last big upgrades before I start moving to full frame.

 

[AshD93]

Yes you do, you blow the background but it's the lesser of the 2 evils.

Or you could fill flash...which I find unnatural but that is merely a personal preference and a shooting style.

Fair enough. Tbh when I go to weddings the 'pto' photographers always use a flash outdoor but then even I question their technqiues at times.

Is it fair to say go for a over exposed background when the subject is alone and background doesn't matter but use fill flash when the subject has people behind her or the background is worth exposing?

Or is there any technique I'm missing?

 

[AshD93]

Thanks Raymond, that makes stuff really clear. I didn't realise HSS uses extra battery as well so yeah, lucky I didn't just go buy the kit.

One last question, in my situation with the flashes what would you do if you wanted another flash? Thus is unrelated to the prewedding stuff, I just want to know whether I should sell and upgrade or stick with the system I have.

 

[AshD93]

Thank you very much guys. I think I'm gonna try and do it all without flash outside. My style always uses flash inside so I'm fairly happy with how I'm going to progress.

And with regards to the flashes, I'm going to order three 600RTs and stick my gear up for sale.

So thanks again, really appreciate the time taken to reply to my questions. OCUK delivers again!/