Metz 45CL

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

Can someone tell me more about this flash?

How does it compare with the 580ex II?

I need a very powerful flash (almost like a strobic effect), need to reach about 180ft, and recycle fast!

[Dream Merchant]

A 45 series will not cut it with those sort of requirements.

These are old, analog flash units (but fab work-horses!!!) and don't have the rapid (but low GN) stroboscopic effect that some modern digital units have.

Have you considered hiring a stroboscopic SFX light from a stage and lightings supplies company and placing it/them much closer to the subject while you shoot from 180ft away?

[Wilt]

A 45 series will not cut it with those sort of requirements.

These are old, analog flash units (but fab work-horses!!!) and don't have the rapid (but low GN) stroboscopic effect that some modern digital units have.

Have you considered hiring a stroboscopic SFX light from a stage and lightings supplies company and placing it/them much closer to the subject while you shoot from 180ft away?



The 580EX has ISO 100 Guide Number 118 with coverage of 35mm WA lens, whereas the Metz 45CL is GN148 for same coverage. The motorized zoom head is the hocus-pocus that permits dSLR flash units to boast the GN of 190!


As for the value of stroboscopic mode, at power 1/128 the GN is merely 12 (for normal lens coverage), so it is of limited application at this setting. If you set ISO 1600 on your camera, the GN goes to 48.

[nadtz]

The 76's might have a stroboscopic mode... Quick check with google says yes, but you would probably want to double check that. You could also check out qflashes, lumydyne units, etc. How much light exactly are you trying to throw that far?

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

As much as possible.

I shoot horse shows. Most are outdoors and go as late as 2AM.
SO it's PITCH BLACH outside...and most of the horses are black...

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

however I think I'm just going to get the 580ex, and when I can afford it I will get some strobes (or simply flood lights) to place in the arena corners.

[nadtz]

How many lights can you use? Why would anyone go to a horse show with no lighting that ran till 2am with black horses =)? I'm guessing you mean the available light isn't enough for photography. It sounds like what you want to be able to do is use multiple lights that recharge fairly quickly, you would blind people throwing the kind of light you are talking about all night.

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

How many lights can you use? Why would anyone go to a horse show with no lighting that ran till 2am with black horses =)? I'm guessing you mean the available light isn't enough for photography. It sounds like what you want to be able to do is use multiple lights that recharge fairly quickly, you would blind people throwing the kind of light you are talking about all night.


Not there's really not any lights except for those at the horse trailers, and warm up area.

But the reason for going is the fun, and the money you can win...:):lol:

[René Damkot]

Something tells me that powerfull flash and a horse might not be the best combo...

I'd try high ISO / wide aperture first.

If there's light enough to ride, there's probably light enough to shoot.
Also: Quality of light is more important than quantity, and while the flash will add quantity, it probably won't add any quality ;)

[JamieMcCoyPhotography]

The best photog. I know of in the same line of work as I do, uses a very powerful flash - it looks like a mini-strobe on top of his camera.
IT"S VERY BRIGHT, and makes a rather annoying noise.

It's a silver dome, with a light in the middle. I have no idea what brand it is.

[nadtz]

In my (admittedly limited) experience horses aren't very bothered by flash.

Jamie: that sounds like a lumydyne/qflash/norman type unit. With battery packs depending on the brand you get get up to 400ws out of some of those units.

http://www.trainnet.org/Libraries/Lib016/BAR-LOCO.GIF That gives you an idea how much light they can toss out, and yeah, they usually have a large silver dome on top with a bare bulb inside.