> Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 08:55:12 -0700 > From: "Alan Bell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: RE: EOS Re: 550ex vs strobes (flash output not proportional to W/s specs with different reflectors)
> Is there a "Consumer Reports" of flash/strobe photography that > has done standardized testing to sort all this out for us? No. Simply because there are too many factors that influence the result. The length of the flash tube influences both flash duration as well as efficiency, shorter flash tubes burn shorter than longer tubes and produce more light out of the same wattage. Then almost all manufacturers have slightly different reflectors and light formers. The lighting angle is somewhat different and the reflector inner coatings are different in order to produce exactly the light the manufacturer wants to produce. Much more important than pure output is the light quality. Any renowned manufacturers units will be approximately in the same ballpark with a 500 W/s branded unit. The difference is the ease of lightformer fixture and rotation, the multitude of available accessories, the way the flash is mounted on riggings or tripods, the range of f-stops for dimming, independant or only proportional pilot light.... So, there is much more than wattage to base a decision on. Actually wattage almost is the least important part. -- Michael Quack <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
