Using 55EX as Studiolightning

[runnane]

Having read about all the problems with 55EX and e-ttl, this might be a funny question, nevertheless:

I am shooting dogs and cats in a temporary studio on shows, and have move to digital (D60 - 16-35 and 55EX). I need some studio lightning, and because some of the shows are outdoors and some customers want their dog to be captured in the garden, forest etc, I need some equip that don't need AC. I have been thinking about buying two extra 55s with umbrellas and tripods instead of Elinchrome stuff, leaving it all manual. Could anyone with lightning experience evaluate this idea, or give me better ones?

[Jason Doyle]

We use multi 550EX's all the time on location, the only restriction using them outdoors is that all units must be able to "see" the triggering unit signal. Indoors isn't as much of a problem, because the signal bounces off walls etc fairly well. Don't know why Canon didn't make them radio triggering, or even include simple flash-slave triggering function as well. PC cable connection would have been good too!
Jason.

[Kevin H]

I understand your problem, absolutely. When I first started using the Infer-red wireless transmitter a few years ago, I noticed that shooting outside became a challenge. Your camera needs to be lined up with the flashes or else, no flash. I have all of the Canon 'toys' and have been using them for years. My suggestion is to use a Quantum QFlash with Pocket Wizard radio slaves. If you are shooting film, Quantum makes a TTL adapter for the Canon. If you are shooting digitally, supposedly (I called them) they say that by the end of the year they will have a TTL for those Canons as well. basically the only benefit you get from the Canon is the high speed ETTL which is great however, it sounds like you will be able to get away with the normal sync speeds.

I have been switching over to the QFlash for my external, out of studio lighting and it works absolutley wonderful. The quality of lighting is superb (and I really do like the 550EX) with the parabolic reflectors.

Hope this helps.

[andycampbell]

Pocket wizzrds are great, with some modification to the cords you use them with 283s.

[David Lawson]

Why not save money and buy a couple of old Metz CT 1's? Use them on manual for consistancy with your hand held meter.

[Pekka]

Jason Doyle wrote:
We use multi 550EX's all the time on location, the only restriction using them outdoors is that all units must be able to "see" the triggering unit signal. Indoors isn't as much of a problem, because the signal bounces off walls etc fairly well. Don't know why Canon didn't make them radio triggering, or even include simple flash-slave triggering function as well. PC cable connection would have been good too!
Jason.

The ST-E2 or 550EX could be placed on a turnable flash bracket so it could be pointed to right direction. That would also fix the problem with 70-200L blocking the "view" on vertical holding.