I want MORE power in a poratable flash!

[Capt Rick]

I have the 580ex Canon,,,,but what would be a more powerful flash to put on a bracket for round track motor sports at night?
I also have an old Quantum model T2,,Is that big enough, or do they have something with more power that's portable?

[GPR1]

Metz has some more powerful flashes than the 580, but there's a limit. How far do you want to reach?

Michael R at Luminuous Landscape once reviewed a product called something like the "Better Beamer", an attachment to a portable flash that focused the light more and threw it farther.

[Gipetto]

Take a look at Metz - I know they've got some powerhouses but they ain't cheap.

Bang for buck is the Vivitar 285HV but its not as powerful as your 580 EX. Neither is your Quantum.

[Jim M]

If you have access to power and you don't have to move around too much and you are on friendly terms with the track management, you could go with studio strobes. I've been using Novatrons at our local drag strip. Last year I used a 1600Ws power pack at 800Ws with two heads. I like it a lot better than my 580EX. You do have to get a feel for when to stop down a little and when to open up a little, but you'll get the feel of that pretty quickly. It's certainly no worse than trying to outguess E-TTL decisions.

[Lotto]

For the price of 580 II, get 4 or 5 Sunpak 383s, wiring them together and fire at once :)

[Cadwell]

Rather than buying a bigger flash gun, you might want to think about using a flash extender to get some extra range. However, if you're shooting from public areas and have any kind of debris fence between you and the action then forget about using a flash gun. You won't get anything worthwhile.

[ninext]

Take a look at Metz - I know they've got some powerhouses but they ain't cheap.

Bang for buck is the Vivitar 285HV but its not as powerful as your 580 EX. Neither is your Quantum.

what about the zoom factor? i'm not familiar with the 285HV, but it looks like the 580ex is 191@iso100. that's at its max zoom correct?

the sunpak 383 is 120@iso100, and i'm assuming it's covering a wider range due to the fact that it doesn't zoom.

what would the 580's guide number be comparatively at the same zoom length?

[Psychobiker]

Better beamer. Birders use them. Imagine firing your flash though a lens.

[nadtz]

You can pick up older metz 45 and 60 units fairly inexpensive. How far away are you shooting from? The T2 is a petty powerful little unit GN 160 (150 WS), you might give that a shot before looking at anything else.

[fitzhughsmith]

The sprint car photographers use a Norman with a large reflector. I have a Quantum with a large reflector and you could get a large relector also. I use only a 580EXII now. I think if you bump your ISO up (you didn't say what your camera is), get yourself some 2.8 glass, you won't need a big flash.

[JWright]

I'm surprised the use of flash is even allowed at night motorsports. You'd think the organizers wouldn't want to run the risk of blinding the drivers.

[HammerCope]

I also think the Norman 400B would be a nice one for this.

[Zoodles]

As mentioned - a "Better Beamer" might be worth a try...

[Cadwell]

I'm surprised the use of flash is even allowed at night motorsports. You'd think the organizers wouldn't want to run the risk of blinding the drivers.

It depends on the event and venue. Sometimes it is tolerated and sometimes photographers are "escorted from the premises"... Best to be sure which before you start snapping away.

[Capt Rick]

Thanks for your help guys!

[cdifoto]

I'm surprised the use of flash is even allowed at night motorsports. You'd think the organizers wouldn't want to run the risk of blinding the drivers.

I've talked to drivers about my flash going off. I asked them if it bothered them. "We don't even see it" was their response.

[Jim M]

I'm surprised the use of flash is even allowed at night motorsports. You'd think the organizers wouldn't want to run the risk of blinding the drivers.
If a flash bothers you at night, then you aren't concentrating on driving. I actually shoot trackside at drag races and there are drivers that tell me they don't even know I'm there. However, I do try to restrict myself from flashing away at critical moments in a critical race. At bracket races, I normally shoot after the second car leaves. I did once get some complaints from Jr. Dragster kids that I don't usually use flash on at all. I don't know if they were just excusing their loss to their parents or if it was actually a distraction, but I give them the benefit of the doubt. I don't flash Jr. Dragsters anymore at all. I doubt if track management could restrict fans from using flash from the stands and at a big race, it's like a lightening storm up there. On those occasions, you're just one more flash.