Using internal flash AND Speedlite???

[julius]

Am (relatively) happy G1 owner. Just bought a speedlite 420Ex: With ability to bounce light and use E-TTL, it's goodbye redeye and "hot" or unevenly lit images shot at close range.

One problem: when I mount the speedlite, must this automatically disable the internal flash? I'd like to use the internal flash simultaneously at 1/8 power for fill. With all the amzing things the Canon/Speedlite combo can do, did Canon not consider this possibility???

--Julius

[shaunyc]

Apparently not.

However, all is not lost - providing you don't mind spending a few more bucks on a flash attachment.

With your flash set to bounce off a wall or ceiling, you can attach something like a Lumiquest Promax 80-20 (http://www.lumiquest.com/bouncers.htm#lq872d) which diverts 20% of the light straight at your subject while still allowing the other 80% to bounce.

My old Vivitar flash unit came with a little gadget which had the same effect, and I'm sure you could whip one up with cardboard and sticky tape to see if you like the effect.

I recently bought a Stofen Omnibounce (http://www.stofen.com) and it has transformed all of my flash pictures immeasurably.

ShaunyC

[julius]

Verrrrry interesting. I will investigate. No prices on the Lumiquest site but have pinged the Canadian distributor (in Toronto) for more info on the ProMax 80-20.

One question: since I shoot a lot of vertical images, does the gadget also rotate to accommodate such shots?

Thanks for the tip! My other flash is a Metz and I rarely use it without the Metz bounce card unless bouncing. Funny I didn't think of a similar setup for the Speedlite. Didn't know what was available, I guess...

Thanks for the fast response, and for the tip!

Regards,
Julius

[shaunyc]

The Lumiquest and Omnibounce gadgets both clip to the top of the flash head. That means that wherever the flash is pointing, the gadget points too. With the omnibounce the light gets thrown out in all directions, so either orientation works. With the Lumiquest, camera in vertical orientation, and flash swivelled to point at the ceiling, you might find that the 20% is being directed straight at your head, and not that of your subject.

If tha is the case you might need to investigate separating the flash and the camera using a dedicated off-camera cord. That means that you can mount the flash on a tripod and hand-hold the camera, or mount both of them on a flash bracket. Either way, you can get the camera and flash pointing exactly where you want and still retain full E-TTL (or as much as the G1 will let you have anyway).

ShaunyC

[julius]

Worth getting anyways (unless the price is outrageous) to overcome the drawbacks of using pure bounce.

Unfortunately, my message to Planeteer (Canadian distributor for Lumiquest) came back undelivered, e.g.

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----

(reason: 550 Access denied)

----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to ns2.planeteer.com.:
>>> MAIL From:

[toglenn]

I'm also using a G1 w/420EX strobe. When using bounce flash, I found the color of the bounce surface often tinted the subject matter.
My solution was a simple piece of white cardboard, 2 3/4" X 3 1/2", attached to the back of the 420EX with a rubber band, and extending above the strobe lens about 2". With the 420 tilted slightly forward, this gives a direct light source with the shadows still softened.
The cardboard piece also fits nicely in the rear pocket of 420's case (I never use the remote stand).

[danielchtong]

i believe you are in toronto area

i saw it selling at can $29 at merck camera victoria park just south of sheppard on the east side (by harvey)

daniel
toronto




[quote]julius wrote:
Worth getting anyways (unless the price is outrageous) to overcome the drawbacks of using pure bounce.

Unfortunately, my message to Planeteer (Canadian distributor for Lumiquest) came back undelivered, e.g.

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----

(reason: 550 Access denied)

----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to ns2.planeteer.com.:
>>> MAIL From: