QFlash question about purchasing & what I need.

[Padawan Dad]

Really interested in this unit. Just want to make sure that this particular package has all I need to run on a 30D:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=400103&is=REG&si=acc&showAll=1#more_accessories

[MDJAK]

Do you have a flash bracket?

Man, that's a lot of money for not a lot more flash than the 580ex.

mark

[Padawan Dad]

Do you have a flash bracket?

Man, that's a lot of money for not a lot more flash than the 580ex.

mark

Yes I do. For what I 've seen of this flash in person, It's well worth it to me for the work I do.

[DavidW]

You may well want a QTTL adapter - D13Wr is the right unit for Canon - and you will need a flash bracket. If you can, try to get the head supplied as T5d-R (which is firmware upgrade over T5d) - that way you can plug in a Qnexus and use the QFlash as a wireless E-TTL slave with your 580EX as master.

Finally, you may want at least the wide angle diffuser (QF67A) if not any of the other optional modifiers.


I may be about to buy a QFlash myself - hence having looked into all this.



David

[marian]

I own 2 QFlash units. You don't need any wide angle diffuser. Bill, go to Hunt's or Zeff photo supply and "play" with units. They put the Canon flashes to shame! Only drawback is price, but they are worth it

[Padawan Dad]

You may well want a QTTL adapter - D13Wr is the right unit for Canon - and you will need a flash bracket. If you can, try to get the head supplied as T5d-R (which is firmware upgrade over T5d) - that way you can plug in a Qnexus and use the QFlash as a wireless E-TTL slave with your 580EX as master.

Finally, you may want at least the wide angle diffuser (QF67A) if not any of the other optional modifiers.


I may be about to buy a QFlash myself - hence having looked into all this.



David

Thanks for the very helpful info. Much appreciated!

[Padawan Dad]

I own 2 QFlash units. You don't need any wide angle diffuser. Bill, go to Hunt's or Zeff photo supply and "play" with units. They put the Canon flashes to shame! Only drawback is price, but they are worth it

Hey Marian,

Do you live around Melrose, MA? I usually go to Hunts to try out new things then purchase elsewhere... WAY too expensive there. I have actually already tried out the Quantum, but really didn't explore it technically. I am very impressed with what it can do over the 580ex!

I shoot weddings, so this flash, from my experience, is a gem, and well worth the price to me. I'll definitely be checking it out further.

Thanks...

[prime80]

Not to hijack the thread, but just out of curiosity/ignorance, what does the Qflash do so much better than the 580? I'd love to hear some specifics since I will soon be in the market for a flash (although I'd be hard-pressed to be able to afford one of those)

[XTshooter]

I'd recommend either a second 2x2 battery or a slightly larger battery like a Lumidyne.

[marian]

prime80,

If you are a wedding shooter, here 's sometjhing to consider.

Qflash has unlimited flashes. The 580 can overheat, the new 580 II model will shut down to cool down. Imagine trying to shoot and your flash will NOT let you?
Shoe mount flashes average about 50ws, whereas the Qflash will do 150 ws and up to 400WS, depend on the pwer source.

QFlash has a real modeling light to see in the dark, 580 has nothing.

Qflash allows you to shoot at higher f/stops becuase of the power.

I could go on and on, but send for the free QFlash DVD from Quantum and watch the video. Drawback, is the price!

You don't need any add on difusion gizmos as the power is there to bounce.

[DavidW]

Modelling lights require QFlash X series heads with Qpaq-X power (or another compatible pack). The Turbo powered QFlash T series heads don't have modelling lights.

I'm thinking of starting with one QFlash X5d-R head and a basic 200Ws Qpaq-X setup, together with the D13Wr for on-bracket use, and Qnexus if I want to use the QFlash as a wireless E-TTL slave with my 580EX mounted either on camera or on bracket (I have the appropriate Newton quick release setup on my bracket to change between a QFlash and a 580EX on bracket). I can then grow the outfit as I go along.


I may eventually go for a QFlash T5d-R / Turbo 2x2 as an option for on bracket use qith a FreeXWire transmitter rather than all X series heads. That saves a bit of weight, also I can use the Turbo 2x2 to power the camera, and as a high voltage power source to my 580EX when I'm using that as my on camera or on bracket flash (I can imagine that there are times when the 580EX is the right solution and QFlash is overkill).

I'll see how I feel - all X series heads might be the right solution, so getting comfortable with one X series head is a good start. Does the X series modelling light get round the problem of the D13Wr not illuminating anything other than the centre AF point on AF assist?


Other advantage of the X series is that Qpaq-X is modular - command modules, batteries and extra 200Ws modules can be swapped around at will to make whatever Qpaq-X setups you need.

Rather than needing two complete Turbos if you need two batteries, you can have one Qpaq-X command module with two batteries - just disconnect one battery and connect the other to the pack when the first battery dies. This works out in the UK as QFlash T5d-R (£528) and Turbo 2x2 twice (£429 x 2) - a total of £1386 - versus QFlash X5d-R (£598), Qpaq-X command module (£459), PR1UK charger (£39.95) and two batteries (PB1 are £205 each, PB2 are £175 each - we'll say two PB1) - a total of £1506.95. Yes - the X series option is still more money, but not by much - and the X series is more flexible and it offers higher flash power.


You can also upgrade a Qpaq-X command module with two batteries to two separate Qpaq-X setups by buying an extra command module.


All this said, if I go for QFlash at all, it will probably be some time before I can afford a second head.



David

[marian]

David,

I own the Qflash T5D-R model. It has a modeling light. It runs with the Qunatum Turbo battery. I use it all the time.

[DavidW]

marian - thanks for that. At some point, only the QFlash X series had modelling lights. Clearly they're on the latest T series flashes as well (the manuals weren't clear, but I've re-read then and it's clear now). It's purely a question of power between the T and X series.



David

[Rumjungle]

Really? I have a modeling light? I don't know anything about it.:eek:

[DavidW]

If I'm reading the manual correctly, press the circle button on the QFlash's control panel (second row, right hand button). What happens?



David

[Rumjungle]

You get a high speed strobe. Very similar to when you have a 580ex mounted and push the DOF button on the camera body.

[DavidW]

I've done some more research into this. The first version of the QFlash X (depending on the hardware and firmware version, that's QFlash X / X2 / X2d / X3d-R) had a 'real' modelling light as well as the flash tube.

Neither of the redesigned QFlashes (the 4 / 4d / 5d / 5d-R series) has a 'real' modelling light - they just have the 'DoF preview' type modelling light. That's a shame, but at least you have something to work with.



David

[Rumjungle]

Well, just don't use it when you're at a dark reception. I activated it by accident and it blinded/scared the crap out of everyone including myself.:lol:

[RichNY]

I find it pretty amazing that while Quantum was able to design an easy to use and flexible flash system they sure make it challenging for a photographer to figure out what they need.

I thought the Will Crocket video was great but there's a lot it didn't cover.

[Rumjungle]

Well, here's what I use:

t5dr
custom brackets pro-m
d13wr
turbo 2x2
wide angle diffuser
bare bulb enhancer - gold