Hoi Marc, A couple of answers: > I think I will use the flash most for portrait and head shoulders > shots. Therefore probably need less power, so > the speedlights could do. Do you have some examples of on location > photo's with the speedlights?
I've a gallery with some samples of the speedlites used on location on my website (it includes an illustration shot of the attachment of the Speedlite to the softbox) www.gerardmaas.com Last weekend I did a model shot on location with the same setup. I'll load up some of those images soon. > I have a XT/350D and a 420 EX. > What do you advice? > Should I by a ST-E2 (? 190) with an extra 420 EX (? 150)? > Or an 580 EX (? 380) and be able to use it to 14 mm FF and with all > focus points (with a 420 EX) > Or a 550 EX (? 300) with a 420 EX > (Is the 580 EX woth the extra ? 80,-) > > I know a lot of questions but I know some of you (f.e. Gerard) have > working experiences with this setup. Gerard: LOL :-) I don't have a 580 but I'd advice you to get a 5x0EX *and* a ST-E2. I'd say: go for the 580EX as the edge in power will give you more flexibility in flash-to-subject distance and f/stop you can use. With the 550EX and the Lastolite Ezybox I can shoot up to f/8 - f/11 (ISO100). another important feature I see is the 14mm wide-coverage panel. In a softbox it's very important to get the best light distribution to avoid hotspots. Using the flash with the 14mm panel will ensure an optimal internal bouncing of the light and hence a nice and even lighting. > Why do people buy a ST-E2? Isn't it better to buy a 550 EX and > decrease the light of that master flash? That way > you have an sort of ST-E2 and you can use it as a flash. The greatest gadget ever made!. I think the answer is on your own statement: > I decided to go shooting more on location but don't want to lose the 'snap' of my studio photo's. This 'snap' you're talking about is the quality and control of the light and that you can only achieve using the flash units somewhere else than on the camera itself as you want to avoid the deer-on-headlights look. Furthermore, when using multiple speedlites, the ST-E2 allows you to set A:B ratio, allowing you to control the modeling characteristics of the light to achieve the effect you're after. When using a 550/580EX on camera as master it automatically becomes group A. Other very good reason pro ST-E2 is weight. > Is the 580 EX worth extra ? 80,- compared with 550 EX if you shoot with a XT? I don't think that "if you shoot with a XT" is a real condition as I think both flashes provide the same features on this camera. If it was me, I'd go for the 580EX, but that you have to make for yourself. One piece of advice (& warning): Speedlites are inconsistent in exposure when compared to studio equipment. The reason is that E-TTL (TTL in general) is subject dependant, while manual studio flashes provide always the same output independently of where the camera is pointing to. WE-TTL is a great system but has also great risks. A *VERY* NICE feature would be to enable Flash Exposure Lock by flash group (just like multi spot metering, but for flash). Other point of attention is that speedlites take time to recycle. It's not a continuos shooting like in a studio. If you have more questions, just fire away. Groetjes, gerard. * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
