Studio Lights Problem

[jbice]

We are needing advice on Studio lighting. Should we use Hot Lights v.s. Strobe with
the EOS D30. Does anyone have Strobe Studio light experience with this camera?
We are interested in shooting Portraits. Everything I am reading
points me to Hot Lights with the Digital Camera. We are having
many problems with the strobe lights with too much light......New User!
Any and All Suggestions Welcomed!
Thanks!
jBice

[Gary]

jBice -

Are you talking about actual studio strobes or shoe mount flash units? I use studio strobes all day long with digital cameras and much prefer them to hot lights for most digital or film applications. My subject matter is primarily artworks from a museum collection but, if I were doing portraits, I would definitely go with strobes.

I've used my studio's D30 quite a bit with the dedicated shoemount Canon strobes, and had good results in that manner, also.

>>

Can you explain this in more detail?

[Asif]

I use studio strobes with the D30 with no problems.

I find cloudy white balance is the nicest for portraits, with a warm feel. Much nicer than daylight or flash WB. Custom is an option to look at too.

Be careful with the exposure. I shoot mainly high-key and it's easy to blow out highlights. I often correct bits later in PS6.

http://asif.members.beeb.net/3356.jpg

[Gomez Photography]

Be sure to use a safe sync filter or a radio slave form wizard or you will fry your sync connection and will cause it to fail. Trust me on this one. Michael Gomez

[Wayne Booth]

"Be sure to use a safe sync filter or a radio slave form wizard or you will fry your sync connection and will cause it to fail. Trust me on this one. Michael Gomez "


What kind of problem are you talking about? I have a Novatron set up, are you saying I can't use it like I use my othe Canon EOS or Mamiya cameras.

Thanks

[jbice]

THANKS for the Reply!!!!

We have the compact travel kit 270 with 3 lights. This kit is what we are using with our camera.. 125w/s, 125gn, 60x modeling lamps. 10’ sync cord from camera to lights, with as-66 mini ac slave.
(low end Light Kit)

Now, what distance is crucial between subject and lights? I had lights five feet from subject, half power and we had problems with hot spots on subject. Blown out. Camera settings were apeture 250, f/stop at 4.0. Also I was unsure on what to set camera settings. The only way I was able to change camera settings, (such as apeture and f/stop) was to put camera on M, manual focus on lens as well.
(Lens - EF 28-70mm, f/2.8 L USM)

Additional problem was not being able to focus in manual as well as auto, on lens itself. Focus seems to be almost imposible, so bad it made us question our own vision . We used studio on half power, not to blow subject out, but found we were unable to auto focus with camera. Full power we could, but blew subject out. Please help us out, we are frustrated.

Thank You!

[Gomez Photography]

You can use the light system, but you should be using somthing like a safe sync between the camera and the sync cord or an electronic radio slave to go wireless. this way you will not get voltage feedback into your camera. If your voltage spikes back into the camera over and over, it will cause sync failure.
http://www.calumetphoto.com/default.taf?pageload=/calumet/showpro.taf~theme=~promokey=221~type=L2~VenPub=~pr otabmode=&_UserReference=915598061F0EE42F3BD107C7

Pocket Wizard :
http://www.calumetphoto.com/default.taf?pageload=/calumet/showpro.taf~theme=~promokey=221~type=L2~VenPub=~pr otabmode=&_UserReference=915598061F0EE42F3BD107C7
Michael

[Wayne Booth]

Thanks for the info Michael. After seeing your post and responding to you I also emailed Novatron and Canon. Novatron can fix my power pack so it puts out the lower voltage .

Both Canon and Novatron say that if your power pack buts out 6 volts or more to the sync socket you can fry your camera.

I bought a Wein Micro Slave and attached a flash (turned to the right and at lowest power) to my camera for an instant fix. Are you using the pocket wizard? Which model and how do you like it?

Thanks

[JGabbard]

We have been using Pocket Wizards in the studio for 5 years and do not have to worry about voltages, etc (not to mention the absence of wires for me to trip on...). I would wholeheartdly recomment Pocket Wizards. I have three sets and use them daily.

[Gomez Photography]

I have the cheaper version of the Wizard .It only has 4 channels,but works well. It just fits on my hot shoe mount.It is also great for checking the light levels with a Seconic wierless light meter with a transmitter inside. Oh by the way, you should do all your work in the studio using a gray card for white balance. I will give you the best color results. Michael.
PS Do you use a Mac?

[fmorris]

Wayne:

Can you tell me which Novatron system you were talking about? Or is this true for all Novatron systems that their sync voltage is above 6 volts?

I have been having trouble with my camera and I think this may be the problem.

I have used my camera with my Novatron system for about 9 months with no problems.

But two weeks ago, I took about 40 couples at a dance with my Canon D30 and my Novatron studio lights. After I finished these pictures, I took my Canon D30 and my 550EX flash to take some pictures in the crowd. I couldn't get the two to work together.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Frank C. Morris

[Glen R]

I use studio strobes all of the time and get excellent results. Hot lights are just that, hot and dangerous if someone touches them or gets clothes too close.

I say go with the strobes and you will be a happier person. The great thing about the D30 is checking your lighting before shooting instead of wasting film and finding out your meter was off or you figured wrong.

[Wayne Booth]

Hi Frank:

I use the V400 Novatron. Here is my message to novatron and their response.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Novatron:

I recently purchased a Canon D30 Digital SLR. Is it compatible and safe to use with my Novatron V400 setup?


Thanks

Wayne

-------------------------------------------------------------------
dear Wayne

check the instruction for the camera
see what the maximum sync socket voltage is
if the power pack serial number is 2335 or above or it has a D on the panel (v400-D)
then the sync socket voltage is below six volts
if the camera can not take over six volts and the pack is not a "D" or over
serial number 2335 then you will need a wein safe sync
because the sync socket voltage will be between 7 to 12 volts and will
damage the cameras
however i can do a modification to your pack to bring the volt below 6
volts so not extras are needed
if the pack is under 1 year old there will be no charge
if the pack is over 1 year then for $20.00 plus return shipping i can do
the modification
christe@novatron.com
214/388-4857

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Frank:

For a quick fix I bought a Wein micro slave(you have to use a flash on your camera). You can also use a safe sync also made by Wein. I opted for the Wein SSR Sudio Remote Control System, only about $160. from BandH, works great and no wires, I love it.

Keep me posted on the condition of you camera, I sure hope it's okay. They sure need to give us more warning on this. In fact Canon told me on the phone that NONE of their cameras can handle more than 6 volts, thats great to know since I've been using my A2E with my Novatron.

[rojoyinc]

I use photogenic and white lightning studio strobes.
(hot lights are not for portraiture - EVER)

I use a IR tigger (so I'm cordless to the lights)
The trigger is a WEIN "meter mate" there is a IR
slave receiver in the main light. All other lights are
on regular peanut slaves which are tripped from the
main.

http://www.houseofphotography.com
To see the results.

Get the IR interface at www.tallyns.com

[rojoyinc]

I use photogenic and white lightning studio strobes.
(hot lights are not good for portraiture)

I use a IR tigger (so I'm cordless to the lights)
The trigger is a WEIN "meter mate" there is a IR
slave receiver in the main light. All other lights are
on regular peanut slaves which are tripped from the
main.

http://www.houseofphotography.com
To see the results.

Get the IR interface at www.tallyns.com