Portable Lighting

[Kamra 1]

Does anyone out there use 580EX and 430EX flash units for portable lighting? Would you know if these flash units are powerful enough for light banks or shooting through rip stop nylon? I have 2-580's and 1-430. I use them direct but as I'm getting more proficient with these units I'd like to start getting soft lighting in the field on environmental portraits and portable studio situations. Or...what would be some better options, aside from editing?

[StaticThought]

I have seen these used in softbox's etc so yes they are powerful enough though I am sure someone who has used them for this will be along shortly.

[QF-347]

im getting a brolly and stand and sync cord and hotshoe thing from a mate who sells them
can you say mates rates? :D

camo

[mmahoney]

I'm getting about 5 - 6 feet at F8 ISO 200 with my 580 at half power shot into (not through) a white umbrella for portraits.

So that should give you an idea of what one 580 can do.
Mike

[pacific]

I use my 550ex fired through a translucent litepanel no problem. I loose about 2 stops of light doing it though. I also have a small softbox that works good. Check out the site at www.strobist.com that shows just what you can do with small flash.

[FlashZebra]

If you are willing to bump your ISO up to 400 (and possibly only even 200) you will have no problem having enough power to use your Canon Speedlights as ad hoc studio flash units.

But, Canon Speedlights are a bit more cantankerously that many flash units to set up in off camera manual mode (built in ETTL is spotty outside, they work poorly with optical slaves, they work poorly with inexpensive radio slaves, they have no built in sync ports, etc)

Enjoy! Lon

[jr_senator]

I have a 550EX and two 420EXs that I use for portable lighting. I also have two of Westcott's Micro Apollo Softboxs, a Lumiquest 80/20, a SBM diffuser to fit my 420EXs and a white umbrella. I also have enough tripods and light stands to handle them. Sometimes I use 2 flashes, sometimes three.

[ed.]

im getting a brolly and stand and sync cord and hotshoe thing from a mate who sells them
can you say mates rates? :D

camo
Hook us up! :D

[Kamra 1]

Thank you all for your many replies. I am now confident that my flashes are adequate for a studio set up. By reading the applications you have used these type of flash units I am certainly convinced. Thanks again: Tony