Can it be done?

[Dale Miller]

Im a rodeo photographer, I need a little more light than one 580 gives me. Im thinking about mounting two 580s on a flash bracket and fireing both at the same time. I would like some input please.

[Wilt]

Two lights will give you +1 EV of light compared to using one! Were you hoping for more?

[FlashZebra]

Im a rodeo photographer, I need a little more light than one 580 gives me. Im thinking about mounting two 580s on a flash bracket and fireing both at the same time. I would like some input please.
If one 580EX does not get the job done, it is doubtful if adding another one will make things all that different.

As Wilt indicated, at best this will only harvest one more full stop (+1 EV).

Concentrating your 580EX output with a device like the "Better Beamer" (sp?) might be a consideration, as would the use of much higher powered portable flash units (as from Quantum and others).

Bumping the ISO would seem the easiest panacea, but you may have already done that. Exposure wise, bumping the ISO from 400 ISO to 800 ISO would be that same as adding another Canon 580EX.

Enjoy! Lon

[Wilt]

Doubling the number of light units ads 1EV, 4x the light units adds 2EV, 8x the light units adds 3EV, 16x the light units adds 4EV...you see the law of diminishing returns from just adding more of the same!

[DC9]

Not that I own one but I would look into to Quantum’s new portable Qflash system.

http://www.qtm.com/QFlash/?res_set=y...1280&resh=1024

I understand their technical staff is helpful and very knowledgeable if you want to give them a call.

[imchillindave]

I recently purchased the Qflash T5d-R along with the Turbo 2x2 battery pack and something like this is what would do for your needs. Yes, a bit costly, but it is 3 times more powerful than your 580 EX, a lil bigger and requires a flash bracket, but offers so many options and the power to do alot more than you'd ever imagine doing with a 580 EX.

I have done some test shooting with it and absolutely love the results. The TTL mode gives you the freedom to shoot and not worry about flash exposure, which most flash heads in this category don't offer. Definately look into it. http://www.qtm.com .

[Jim M]

I haven't tried it with 580s, but I have with old tried and true Vivitar 283s and I can tell you that the one stop difference has saved my bacon a few times. The difference between f/2.8 and f/4 can be phenomenal.

[HammerCope]

Dale I'm a rodeo photographer from Nebraska.I've been using a Norman 400B With the extender for Just over 10years now. Its a great flash most time it puts out plenty of light. The only time I have had much trouble with it is in really dark arena on long shots. The best thing I like is the battery pack is meatal. I had a bareback horse kick in the case an it kept working. I just took a hammer and some pliers to it during a break in the perfs. http://www.photo-control.com/

[Dale Miller]

Thank You All for the input. I normally use strobes when i can, but that does not allways get to happen . Thanks

[HammerCope]

Dale
Ive never used large stobes for rodeo. What king do you have or what would you use. I looking into some for out door and indoor arenas.

[Dale Miller]

HammerCope, I use Whitelightning strobes. They have been very reliable and service has been great. I use them both in and out doors. I have been useing them for 3 years now and other than set up and teardown being alot of work they improve my work in low light and get me alot of jobs I would not have had otherwise.