The "New Gear/Willy Waving" thread

Vertigo · 15 Sep 2014 at 20:24

Raymond Lin said:
I've highlighted one of its short comings.

And it is hit and miss with ETTL, because of 18% grey metering, it won't fire that much a flash behind the subject, because of the whole black lit thing. It is actually very difficult. It is much easier to have the flash off camera going off a set value in manual and ETTL the front.

Is that how you usually do it, with 2/3 OCF on stands in manual and ETTL on the hotshoe? What kind of mix of exposure, manual power levels and ETTL exposure comp?

Sorry for the questions but I'm trying to glean as much as I can about this type of lighting as there's little opportunity to practise and even less time to experiment in the heat of the moment

Raymond Lin · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:05

Vertigo1 said:
Is that how you usually do it, with 2/3 OCF on stands in manual and ETTL on the hotshoe? What kind of mix of exposure, manual power levels and ETTL exposure comp?

Sorry for the questions but I'm trying to glean as much as I can about this type of lighting as there's little opportunity to practise and even less time to experiment in the heat of the moment

When you are setting up the lights, start with them at 1/128, fire them direct at you. Ask one of the guest to stand in the middle for a test shot. Normally do this while they are clearing the tables after food and / or when the band is setting up their gear.

Up the flash power until you have something that works for that space, depending on how big it is really.

Vertigo · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:30

Ok so manual for the OCFs at the back makes sense - ETTL for the on-cam though?

Raymond Lin · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:33

Vertigo · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:34

Any particular FEC or do you just experiment with that too?

Raymond Lin · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:37

Play would that too, start with standard, it depends on what you can bounce off.

Vertigo · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:39

I always seem to struggle majorly with on-cam flash, no matter what I do. Even if try bouncing it off walls or ceilings, it either ends up still too bright/brash or, if I dial it down a bit, it doesn't illuminate enough. Never seem to be able to find the sweet spot.

Raymond Lin · 15 Sep 2014 at 21:50

It's about experimenting.

Vertigo · 15 Sep 2014 at 22:46

I'm too scared to experiment during an actual wedding for fear of screwing it up completely and missing shots altogether.

Raymond Lin · 15 Sep 2014 at 22:50

Vertigo1 said:
I'm too scared to experiment during an actual wedding for fear of screwing it up completely and missing shots altogether.

Hence the guy in the middle before. That's when you test. Try FEC to see.

Vertigo · 16 Sep 2014 at 10:24

Do you use any modifiers for the on-cam flash when there's nothing to bounce off?

WatchTower · 17 Sep 2014 at 20:43

I'm not got the money for expensive lens's but I just purchased a brand new Nikon 55-300mm lens from amazon for £199 which seemed a great deal. I only.have the 18-55mm that came originally with my D3200 so hopefully I can get some better shots of Medieval castles, boats traveling out of harbours and nature.

Steeps · 18 Sep 2014 at 00:18

I bought a stick

Fill it with images and light painting becomes more fun!

Just a few test shots to see if it works fine, going to be a good winter.

eyyaz · 18 Sep 2014 at 04:30

got this a while back, excuuse the instagram

cheechm · 18 Sep 2014 at 13:40

Steeps said:
I bought a stick

http://steeps.net/steeps/photos/car/1409sep/006.jpg

Fill it with images and light painting becomes more fun!

Just a few test shots to see if it works fine, going to be a good winter.

Tell me more please!

Steeps · 18 Sep 2014 at 14:25

cheechm said:
Tell me more please!

Was a kickstarter campaign about a year ago, quite expensive but I wanted something new to try with lightpainting. Link to site:

http://thepixelstick.com/index.php

redline · 19 Sep 2014 at 13:39

WOW!... I want a stick that does that too :cool:

That is really awesome

Jase · 22 Sep 2014 at 14:14

Ignore, just read the answer above!

Phal · 22 Sep 2014 at 17:51

Steeps said:
Was a kickstarter campaign about a year ago, quite expensive but I wanted something new to try with lightpainting. Link to site:

http://thepixelstick.com/index.php

I did wonder whether it was that kind of stick

Now I know

Slamhamster · 27 Sep 2014 at 15:47

Got myself a Yongnuo Yn468 II E-TTL and a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II. Next on the list is the 10-18mm...