Anyone on here use a flash?

[BenWall]

I went to my girlfriends graduation today, and really enjoyed it. I sat right behind the official photographer - he was using a pro canon body, with something that looked like a 70-200 2.8 lens, for flash he was using something that looked like a light on a stand, but this acted as the flash. He was taking some really nice shots, and every time they graduate posed for a photo I would sneak a shot in straight after he had. (I'll post some later)

The D40 let me down a lot, shooting at 1600 ISO is not good, so thinking of getting myself a SB600, a nice flash in low light situation like today would be nice, instead of buying a £500 body for a little better ISO performance. Anyone use a SB 400/600/800? How are they?

 

[Revels]

From the title I thought you meant the program, as in Macromedia.. Added an 'a' for you

Nope, its something ive considered but I want more glass first I think..

 

[Fletcher]

I don't... but my uncle who's really into photography quite often uses his flash, with great results.

 

[GaryS]

I use a SB600 and 800 both on and off the camera. You can stick a wireless transmitter on the hotshoe to trigger them which is what the photographer at the graduation will've been doing. I expect he was using a studio flash rather than a SB600/800 type flash?

 

[Brasseye]

sb600 great for 150 quid

on camera only for you unless you get a remote or wire

 

[BenWall]

I use a SB600 and 800 both on and off the camera. You can stick a wireless transmitter on the hotshoe to trigger them which is what the photographer at the graduation will've been doing. I expect he was using a studio flash rather than a SB600/800 type flash?

Yeah, was a studio flash, looked more like a bulb. Sure filled a massive room though. He was using a trigger in the hotshoe.

If I used a SB 600, could I get a trigger and use it wirelessly?

/\ it's no longer £150, more like £200. Unless I can get a good deal 2nd hand.

 

[GaryS]

If I used a SB 600, could I get a trigger and use it wirelessly?

Yes, just get a wireless transmitter/receiver. Plenty of HK shops sell them for around £10-£15.

On some Nikon's you can use the pop-up flash to trigger off-camera flash but I don't think the D40 has that facility? Check your menu to see if there is a Commander mode for the pop-up flash to make sure though.

What you can't do with a SB600 is use it as a master flash to trigger other flashguns - you can with a SB800.

 

[capturedbyjames]

check this site out for some off camera flash info.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[2thumbs]

I want a California Sunbounce!

I use flash for fill. But I wont use it unless it's required.

One of the benifits of having a semi-pro body I s'pose, excellent ISO handling.

 

[BenWall]

I want a California Sunbounce!

I use flash for fill. But I wont use it unless it's required.

One of the benifits of having a semi-pro body I s'pose, excellent ISO handling.

What do you use?

 

[ChrisH]

completely off topic but, ben that lense they're saying it'll be at least 2 weeks and they've been on order a while!!

just buy the flash you know you wil in the end

 

[2thumbs]

What do you use?

Body or flash?

Body's a Canon 20D and I'm only using the built in flash at the moment. Saving up for a 580EX II though.

 

[BenWall]

completely off topic but, ben that lense they're saying it'll be at least 2 weeks and they've been on order a while!!

just buy the flash you know you wil in the end

That's what they said to me when I bought me lens. It wont be long, trust me.

 

[unofficialPete]

Buy faster glass? Otherwise get the flash, makes a huge difference to indoor shooting & outdoor..

 

[BenWall]

Buy faster glass? Otherwise get the flash, makes a huge difference to indoor shooting & outdoor..

I've got fast glass, and I can't get below 1.8 above 100mm.

 

[planetx]

flash for fill only, or the creative lighting system ( 2flash heads)

 

[JJ!]

I use a sb-400 - only a few on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sb-400&w=23051574@N07

Nice compact little unit, but thinking of selling as I want a sb-600!!!

SB-400 is nice and cheap - lets you get in to flash photography on a budget and you can upgrade later if you think you want too!!

 

[Clart]

i had an sb600, great fun, but i didn't really use it that much....

 

[MaLicE]

i love using flash, its cool in dark situations, i now have 2 sb800's and a sb900... i hardly and i mean hardly use the 800's the 900 is that good, the 800's are used purely as slaves...

i have a photoshoot tomorrow for bansai magazine at an airfield will be taking the 900 and 1 800, im shooting in a hanger or half in and out, im not sure on the lighting untill i get there so might just use the 900 if not will use the 800 for some fill fired off the 900...

 

[vibrio]

use on board flash, 430ex, studio flash in the studio and studio flash on cars out doors. all depends on the effect I want to achive

 

[Remedi]

I use a sb-400 - only a few on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sb-400&w=23051574%40N07

Nice compact little unit, but thinking of selling as I want a sb-600!!!

SB-400 is nice and cheap - lets you get in to flash photography on a budget and you can upgrade later if you think you want too!!

Can you use the SB-400 wirelessly (is that a word lol) with a remote on a tripod?

I wanna try doing some creative lighting shots in the dark but think a light unit would be step too far at the moment.

 

[unofficialPete]

Can you use the SB-400 wirelessly (is that a word lol) with a remote on a tripod?

I wanna try doing some creative lighting shots in the dark but think a light unit would be step too far at the moment.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=347847

 

[Remedi]

nice one mate

 

[unofficialPete]

nice one mate

Welcome...just bringing this up to say there is a new version of the Cactus triggers coming called the V4, they should be a fair bit better than the V2.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157613271010155/

 

[capturedbyjames]

google strobist... loads of stuff out there about it....