Terrified -- need advice.

[vfilby]

Alright here is the scoop. I have done some volunteer work for one of the local student newspapers and various other things. Just recently the group that publishes the research magazine at the Unversity lost their photographer and they asked me to submit some samples. They really liked them and they want me to start shooting for them in a week or two. I am sure it is only a photo here and there, nothing too strenuous.

The problem I have is that I have only done photo-journalistic style work and they want 'staged' work. Perhaps I should bite the bullet and buy a 420EX to help with lighting. My Rebel will be here in a couple days so I am happy about that.

Any advice that will help me avoid the inevitable plunge onto my face would be greatly appreciated.

Vince

[CoolToolGuy]

If you are going to go for a flash for the Drebel, I would seriously consider the 550EX. ETTL has some known issues with exposure levels, and the 550EX is the only way you can get flash exposure compensation with the Drebel. You can adjust it in the 550EX, but I don't think the 420EX has that capability.

My 2 cents...

Have Fun,

[Scottes]

and the 550EX is the only way you can get flash exposure compensation with the Drebel.

Many people have been using the hacked firmware for the DRebel and they seem happy.

However, I'd also vote - strongly - for the 550. I wish that I bought one instead of my 420.

[CoolToolGuy]

and the 550EX is the only way you can get flash exposure compensation with the Drebel.

Many people have been using the hacked firmware for the DRebel and they seem happy.

However, I'd also vote - strongly - for the 550. I wish that I bought one instead of my 420.

Oops, I forgot about the hack. Oh well, out of camera, out of mind. :roll:

Have Fun,

[vfilby]

Thanks guys, money is always an issue so I may have go with a 420EX but I will nose around.

Scottes: Why do you wish for the 550? Just more power? Please tell me so I can make an informed decision.

CTG: congrats on your milestone.

Vince

[stopbath]

Thanks guys, money is always an issue so I may have go with a 420EX but I will nose around.

Scottes: Why do you wish for the 550? Just more power? Please tell me so I can make an informed decision.

CTG: congrats on your milestone.

Vince
Just an idea here...
Would the paper be willing to go the extra $$ for you? They would be getting better pictures, so they will see 'some' return.

Tell them you are getting a new flash, and the model you can afford is the 420, but you could use the extra power and capabilities of the 550... If they pick up the difference for you, you get a free upgrade... Worth a try anyways..

[Scottes]

More power is minimal, but nice. Another thing for me but probably not for you is the Better Beamer, which fits the 550 but almost fits the 420.

But the big thing is controlling the amount of flash. I did a lot of shooting of butterflies and kept wishing for proper fill flash - 1/8th power, or 1/16th. Instead I got FEC with the 10D, which is far from the same thing. I got by, but it took many shots at different settings before I was satisfied. Even still I got plenty of almost-black backgrounds with a bright butterfly, rather than a slightly dimmed BG with a bright butterfly.

And I shoot a lot of birds - a flash at 1/8th or 1/16th is enough to put a catch-light in the eye without noticably getting flash in the exposure. With the 420 and -2.5 FEC much of the exposure is flash - resulting in very underexposed backgrounds.

I rarely use flash in a "normal" way, so having the controls with the 550 would be very nice. I may one day get a small, cheap, fully manual flash just so I can do the stuff above.

[vfilby]

Well I have to admit I really don't know what I am doing, especially with a flash. I was hoping to use the flash to bounce of walls or ceilings to help compensate for poor lighting conditions that I might have to shoot in.

Do you think in situations like mine controlling the amount of flash would be a great asset?

Vince

[Scottes]

Probably not. And FEC will mean a lot more to you than to me, since I have to reduce flash more than FEC can handle.

I would strongly suggest looking at some of the Lumiquest products though. Particularly the Pocket Bounce. And though you may be tempted, skip the Sto-Fen Omnibounce - it does a better job at reducing flash versus softening it. The Pocket Bounce will be much better for softening light and letting you use flash to add, rather than overcome, some of the lighting you'll be in.

[CoolToolGuy]

Vince,

If you rely on the Drebel and the ETTL circuitry you will likely end up with a lot of underexposed shots. That's where the 550EX can help. You can dial in the amount of overexposure that you want. If you do a lot of similar photography for the magazine, you will soon learn how much you need to adjust to get the shot just the way you want it.

Have Fun,

[vfilby]

Thank you very much for your advice and quick responses Scottes, I appreciate them.

Is there any other advice on taking staged photographs? They won't be formal portraits but they won't be candids either.

Vince

[Scottes]

CoolToolGuy has a point...

We all posted at once so we all missed it. But he's right.