-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Parrott
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 6:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: EOS Flash head configuration 

Just posting an observation that had not really occurred to me until 
recently. I just purchased a Custom Bracket for my 1Ds which mounts the 
flash above the camera and allows the camera to rotate easily between 
landscape and portrait orientation. However, when the camera is in the 
portrait position and the flash of course is still in it's normal 
orientation, there are two dark bands in the upper and lower half of 
the photo. The landscape rectangular shape of the flash no longer 
matches the portrait shape of the camera image. The problem is worse at 
wider angles, but always a problem. I can put my Lumiquest Bounce on 
the flash and pretty much solve the problem, I just wish I did not 
*have* to. The thing is big, cheesy looking, and in the way.  Anyway, 
the whole point is, why can't flash heads be made in a more rounded 
shape with some real diffusion built in? Why should we have to pay 
hundreds for a high end flash and then have to buy all kinds of do-dads 
and gimmicks  to diffuse the light and correct orientation problems 
like I have encountered? Seems counterproductive to me. Any opinions?

Steve
www.parrottimaging.com
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It's because on-cameral flashes have to maximize capability with limited
power.

What does that mean?

In order to achieve proper lighting with a given lens, they focus their
light for that lens pattern, ie, they are designed to project enough
focused/directed light for the scene when mounted in the hot shoe.  They
don't have enough power to light outside of their focused area.  When you
use them in non-standard orientation (ie mounted sideways on your fixed
flash bracket) the focused light may not cover all the area of your field of
view.  They are designed this way to maximize their lighting capability with
limited power.  To expect much more with 4 batteries is to not understand
their limited capabilities.  Using a diffuser will help cover outside the
designed parameters, but it will limit the range.  The limiting factor is
how much light can be produced by a battery powered flash.  Try using a
omni-directional flash attachment and limiting your range or increasing your
ISO setting.

Alternatively, you can use off camera/remote controlled flashes to set up
lighting closer to all the areas you want illuminated.

Photography by definition means to record images with light.  You have to
chose and set up the proper lighting.  One on camera light is often not
enough.



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