2 Flashes?

[kato1]

How often do you actually need to use 2 flashguns? That's aside from using the second on your spare body.

[tim]

I shoot with two bodies, so one flash goes on each body. I also use off camera flash regularly, so it'd be great to have a flash dedicated to that. I have a 550 and a 580, I often swap the 580 to the body i'm using most at the moment, so might get another and make the 550 + CP-E3 battery pack my slave.

[stc9357]

TIm whats the difference between the 550 and 580 I just thought one was a newer model?

[tim]

TIm whats the difference between the 550 and 580 I just thought one was a newer model?

580 has one button to rotate the head, 550 has two buttons. 580 has a pull out bounce card. Sounds trivial but it's a huge advantage to the 580.

[jbstudios]

funny, tim i have the 580 and never used the bounce card

[picturecrazy]

I use a slave flash almost all the time. I find it very useful. I usually have an assistant hold a 430EX for me. But if I'm running around with no assistant, then often I'll put my second camera down somewhere or get someone in the wedding party to hold it, switch it into slave mode, and now it's my off-camera slave.

[kato1]

Picturecrazy your point is kind of what I was wondering.
How often do you actually need that additional flash to afford a little more fill?

[newgenphoto]

Picturecrazy your point is kind of what I was wondering.
How often do you actually need that additional flash to afford a little more fill?

With Lloyds AND Tims photography I think it's more "style" then fill. Correct me if I'm wrong though guys. It's the exact reason I just purchased a set of Pocket Wizards because I'm going to start doing this a lot this year.

[kato1]

Newgenphoto. Just checked your site out. Very Cool and some excellent shots.

[newgenphoto]

Newgenphoto. Just checked your site out. Very Cool and some excellent shots.

Oh hey thanks! The site is new for 2007 as well. It's still a work in progress! :)

[CyberPet]

Did you know that you could also slave your 2nd flash when it's sitting on another camera? Have your assistant/second shooter hold the second camera and you'll have a moving slave light... or is it a moving slave with extra light? Need to ask hubby what he wants to be called. :D

[gateruner]

I saw a guy on here using a portable inexpensive video light held by an assistant on a monopod for off camera fill. He just moved it around the B & G and got the desired lighting for the shot. Gotta be cheaper than a 580 slave setup.

[jessiper]

... or is it a moving slave with extra light? Need to ask hubby what he wants to be called. :D

LOL :lol:

[newgenphoto]

Did you know that you could also slave your 2nd flash when it's sitting on another camera? Have your assistant/second shooter hold the second camera and you'll have a moving slave light... or is it a moving slave with extra light? Need to ask hubby what he wants to be called. :D

Yeah but the whole "line of sight" issue with the 550/580's annoys the living crap out of me. I've twice tried to get my 550 to fire from my 580 with the flash set up BEHIND the b&g and couldn't get it to flash because of this. Now, with pocket wizards I don't have to ever wonder if they will flash or not.

I also just got a video light and will be useing this A LOT this season. Not really for fill but more less artsy fartsy stuff.

[Mike Fulton]

Did you know that you could also slave your 2nd flash when it's sitting on another camera? Have your assistant/second shooter hold the second camera and you'll have a moving slave light... or is it a moving slave with extra light? Need to ask hubby what he wants to be called. :D
This is what we do along with video light and pocket wizards with flash units so we do not need to worry about the line of sight problems in those rare cases.

I just posted some High School Seniors in the Urban Street area showing both wireless flash and video light captures on the go all wirless. Don't know if it will help but it if does, great.

Honestly I don't see TriCoast looking as it does without the option of wireless flash, the flash unit simply is one of the most unused yet most poweful tool in your camera bag.

[dsze]

I shoot with 2 bodies, a 550, sigma 500 and 3 420's. I use them all at almost every wedding.

[kato1]

I get the impression a second could be useful.

[dsze]

I get the impression a second could be useful.

Yes, they could be. On the other hand, I know guys who only take one flash to a wedding and only use that for group formals. You don't necessarily NEED a lot of speedlights.

[Eoseni]

Generally, off camera flash makes better photos. So a second light is a bonus, but it needn't be a flash gun.

I think a back up flash is good to have for weddings.