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View Full Version : Flash questions - telephoto and diffuser

al606
3rd of December 2003 (Wed), 10:45
I'm thinking about buying a Sunpak 383 Super for my G1. The 420ex is just too pricey very heavy. I don't mind adjusting things manually and living with re-shooting when things aren't right. I've already found out that the voltage is acceptable for my camera.

Two of the accessories available are telephoto adaptor and diffuser, I'm wondering about the usefulness of both. Any advice would be appreciated.

I take a lot of pictures at hockey games, ice level, and actually get pretty good results with my regular flash and a higher ISO (200) followed by Neatimage. I'm wondering if the more concentrated focus will help with illuminating the subject.

I've not take many indoor pictures with the camera because the flash creates way too much red-eye (and yes I know I can fix it, but it never looks *quite* normal) and I've heard a hot-shoe flash just gets better pics.

Link to telephoto description: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=52968&is=REG
Yance
3rd of December 2003 (Wed), 11:52
Hmm, the price seems pretty high. It is just a cheap fresnel lens that extends the flash range. I doubt if the extra range will amount to much, you are probably better off increasing the ISO rating.
stopbath
3rd of December 2003 (Wed), 12:21
Normaly the flash has a spread of something like 35mm so that a 35mm lens has no vingetting with the flash. A 28 mm lens would have poor coverage in the corners, and an 80 mm lens would only need the middle of the spread. The adapters will help you focus the flash output for the telephoto shots.

Some flashes have a built in zoom heads. Check into this option. Some flashes can also zoom as the camera lens zooms (I don't know if Canon has this feature.)

As you zoom in, your light is more concentrated, so you gain extra distance.
iwatkins
3rd of December 2003 (Wed), 16:28
stopbath wrote:
Some flashes have a built in zoom heads. Check into this option. Some flashes can also zoom as the camera lens zooms (I don't know if Canon has this feature.)

As you zoom in, your light is more concentrated, so you gain extra distance.

The Canon 550EX does this. From 24mm (IIRC) out to 105mm. It will also do 17mm with the flip down "spreader".

I have seen these "concentrators" that say "good out to 300mm" etc. but I've not tried them so can't say if they are any good.

Cheers

Ian