External flashes

[mom2rtk]

Do you have an external flash? With a fresh set of regular AA batteries, mine recycles pretty fast. It is also very easy to just hit the power button on the flash to turn it off and on without having to change any camera settings.

I do. I was using my 420EX that night with a new set of batteries. I was taking every shot with flash. The only lens I had with me was my Tamron 18-250 which is a fairly slow lens, especially when zoomed. That probably just put too high a demand on the flash. It just got to the point where after a few shots, it would need too long to recycle.

That flash continues to function just fine now. I really just think I demanded too much of it that night. I now have a 270EX, but only because I wanted a smaller unit.

From what I understand, using that flash in quick succession on zoom required more power from it. I think if I use a faster lens this time, try not to zoom as far, and use it dialed down a bit just for fill, I can expect to do better. At least I hope......

If nothing else, my issue with the flash that night sent me here with questions and really sparked an interest in learning much more about photography in general.

Many thanks again everyone!

 

[ukcatfan]

I can tell that the flash is recharging quicker with lithiums than with rechargeables or alkalines. They are all I use with my flash because of that and because my flash often sits for months without use. I have Pentax, but I suspect that this would apply to you as well since it is a matter of electricity, not brand of gear.

 

[annnewjerz]

I haven't yet attended MVMCP, but I did go to MNSSHP last year and even though it was a VERY dark parade, we found a spot near a streetlight and I didn't think that using the flash was necessary. If you are at a spot that lacks a constant source of artificial light though, a flash may be beneficial for some of those floats that aren't lit especially well.

When shooting MNSSHP, I shot in Shutter Priority, just like I would with an indoor dark/dim ride like Pirates or It's a Small World. I would do a test shot just to make sure I got a fast enough shutter speed to avoid motion blur and then adjusted from there.

Here are a few examples, although they aren't the best, I was definitely happy with them. I didn't do too much in the way of post-processing because my software is limited, but if you have CS4 or Lightroom, you could probably brighten these even further to bring out the detail in some of the shadows.

Good luck and I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come back with!

Ann

 

[dioxide45]

I can tell that the flash is recharging quicker with lithiums than with rechargeables or alkalines. They are all I use with my flash because of that and because my flash often sits for months without use. I have Pentax, but I suspect that this would apply to you as well since it is a matter of electricity, not brand of gear.

The lithiums are also much lighter than alkalines. While it doesn't seem like much, it does make holding the camera with an external flash connected easier.

 

[mom2rtk]

I can tell that the flash is recharging quicker with lithiums than with rechargeables or alkalines. They are all I use with my flash because of that and because my flash often sits for months without use. I have Pentax, but I suspect that this would apply to you as well since it is a matter of electricity, not brand of gear.

Thanks for the heads up on this. I've always used Alkaline, so I'll pick up some lithium batteries for the flash!

I haven't yet attended MVMCP, but I did go to MNSSHP last year and even though it was a VERY dark parade, we found a spot near a streetlight and I didn't think that using the flash was necessary. If you are at a spot that lacks a constant source of artificial light though, a flash may be beneficial for some of those floats that aren't lit especially well.

When shooting MNSSHP, I shot in Shutter Priority, just like I would with an indoor dark/dim ride like Pirates or It's a Small World. I would do a test shot just to make sure I got a fast enough shutter speed to avoid motion blur and then adjusted from there.

Here are a few examples, although they aren't the best, I was definitely happy with them. I didn't do too much in the way of post-processing because my software is limited, but if you have CS4 or Lightroom, you could probably brighten these even further to bring out the detail in some of the shadows.


Good luck and I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come back with!

Ann

Thanks Ann! You brought back some great shots, including one of the best Headless Horseman shots I have seen. Were you using the 30mm 1.4?

I'm thinking shutter priority sounds like a good approach. I was doing this on the dark rides on our last trip with the exposure compensation dialed down a bit and was really happy with what Lightroom 3 could bring back out.

I think that, coupled with manually turning the flash on and off for an occasional character shot, will be my best approach.

 

[annnewjerz]

Thanks Ann! You brought back some great shots, including one of the best Headless Horseman shots I have seen. Were you using the 30mm 1.4?

Thank you! And yes, I was using the Sigma 30 1.4. I also jacked the ISO up pretty high for most of them (I think the Headless Horseman shot was ISO 6400) but being the first dark parade I'd attended, I wanted to make sure I got the shot. It was a bit noisy, but after a quick through noiseware I think it ended up okay.

 

[wenrob]

I've never shot a parade but there is a huge difference between FLASH and FILL flash. Read up on fill flash and you'll do alright. Personally when using flash (external) I shoot manual and my flash never comes out of rear sync, I have much more control that way. Dragging your shutter and filling with flash is a very effective method and can yield some amazing results. To get your flash to recycle faster bump your ISO a little bit and let the camera do some of the work. Some people truly do hate the look of flash in any form (though if you do it right some would never know) but I find that a lot who are vehemently against it just haven't learned to "work it." (That is NOT a dig against anyone it's just a common theme I've seen on a lot of photography boards.) I think all tools are useful when it comes to photography and ultimately you have to decide YOUR style and go with it. You seem to like the look of fill so study up and practice so you have it down when you get there.

edited to add: There's nothing to be afraid of using manual especially when using flash as fill. You can set it and forget it so to speak. When using flash as fill you can 100% ignore your meter. Slowing your shutter speed does not have to mean super slow. In general I "drag" my shutter around 1/80-1/100, bump my ISO a little bit and open my lens up a little bit to capture more background light and use the flash to light my main subjects.

 

[Fanatic Father]

This forum is really great.

I'm planning on carrying a smallish camera bag around the parks. I need to make a choice between bringing my Canon 10-22 or my external flash on the trip. I'm planning on bringing my Canon 50D, 70-200 f4, 17-55. Having never been to Disney World, I'm not sure which might be more useful. The flash or UWA.

Thank you for your help.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Unless you plan on taking lots of photos at restaurants when dining then the UWA lens would probably get more use. Flash isn't allowed in many areas. I've rarely used a flash at WDW but often the UWA lens.

 

[Fanatic Father]

Thank you. I was thinking I might use the flash for fill in a lot of the mid-day shots. But you might be right. I might just take care of the under eye shadows with post processing in order to have the versatility of the UWA.

 

[C&B Young]

No question in my book, take the ultra-wide! I didn't own an UWA lens on our last trip (but now do) and plan on carrying a body with it attached at all times on my next trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't be able to leave either behind. We love character hunting, and I like to use the flash for those. Also, we're attending MVMCP, and I want to play around with the flash on the Christmas parade.

Does it HAVE to be either/or?

One thing I did this year was buy a smaller external flash, which makes my DSLR much easier to tote around with the lens attached.

 

[MICKEY88]

I wouldn't be able to leave either behind. We love character hunting, and I like to use the flash for those. Also, we're attending MVMCP, and I want to play around with the flash on the Christmas parade.

Does it HAVE to be either/or?

One thing I did this year was buy a smaller external flash, which makes my DSLR much easier to tote around with the lens attached.

I agree 100% I have my flash on one body at all times when at WDW, makes for much better character photos..

 

[Master Mason]

Take both, and then choose between the two on a daily basis. I always take my full kit, and then downsize depending on what I think I want to focus on that day.

 

[Fanatic Father]

After looking at the "Ultra Wide Angle Cult" thread, I think I absolutely HAVE to take the UWA! I do think I'll take both on the trip and take one or the other with me when visiting the parks. I do think the flash would be very benificial for the character photos with my children. Especially mid-day.

But man...there's some real talent on the UWA thread!! I'm very inspired.

Thank you all.

 

[WDWFigment]

After looking at the "Ultra Wide Angle Cult" thread, I think I absolutely HAVE to take the UWA! I do think I'll take both on the trip and take one or the other with me when visiting the parks. I do think the flash would be very benificial for the character photos with my children. Especially mid-day.

But man...there's some real talent on the UWA thread!! I'm very inspired.

Thank you all.

If this is a family vacation with your kids, I think you should have the external flash with you everyday. Capturing those family moments, in my opinion, is far more important than any static shots.

 

[JoeDif]

I know it is still months away but I wanted to give all the Bryan Peterson fans a heads up. His next book, "Understanding Flash Photography" will be released during April 2011.

 

[WDWFigment]

Think I might have to put in a request for this one at the library. Flash photography is one of my weak points, especially protraiture.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Just be careful using a flash. I've been told that the iPhone and the iPad don't support flash, so some people might not be able to see your pictures.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

ha ha, you made a funny!