Built-in 350D Flash - will it be enough?

[JonathanSQ]

Hello all. There is a dinner theater coming up at church that the youth
are putting on. I am wondering if the built-in 350D flash will be enough?
I was looking online and the 550EX is out of my price range. I am wondering
if the built-in flash is NOT enough for this will a 220EX or 420EX work?

FYI I am not 100% sure what the lighting setup is going to be for the
skit this time. Last skit was a full blown lighting system our church has.
It is two pieces each with four large lights w/ colored filters in front.
So it won't be 100% dark probably the AF will focus smoothly just
probably will need some flash to really make the photo more than muck.

[tim]

Often for theatre work or stuff under theatre style lighting you'll be asked not to use flash, instead a fast lens if often a good idea. Using a flash overpowers the nice lighting they use, and the pictures don't look anything like what you expect. I use the 50mm F1.4 or my Tamron 28-75 F2.8, and I might try my 12-24 F4 next time. The 50mm F1.8 might be a reasonable lens for this, except I found it's focus motor's terribly inaccurate, and I get a lot of out of focus pictures, which doesn't happen so much with the F1.4 version.

The built in flash is a "last resort" for me, I much prefer an external flash, usually with a diffuser on it.

Have a read of this (http://www.photo.net/learn/concerts/mirarchi/concer_1.htm).

[scottbergerphoto]

Use the flash Guide Number to decide. The effective distance of a flash at ISO 100= GN/f stop. So if the flash has a GN of about 40 feet, at f/5.6, you get about 7 feet of use. At ISO 400 that goes up to 14 feet. That won't give you much DOF, but af f/8 you are down to 10 feet. Don't buy less then a 420EX as far as power. Also consider the Sigma 500 DG Super.

[JonathanSQ]

Often for theatre work or stuff under theatre style lighting you'll be asked not to use flash, instead a fast lens if often a good idea. Using a flash overpowers the nice lighting they use, and the pictures don't look anything like what you expect. I use the 50mm F1.4 or my Tamron 28-75 F2.8, and I might try my 12-24 F4 next time. The 50mm F1.8 might be a reasonable lens for this, except I found it's focus motor's terribly inaccurate, and I get a lot of out of focus pictures, which doesn't happen so much with the F1.4 version.

The built in flash is a "last resort" for me, I much prefer an external flash, usually with a diffuser on it.

Have a read of this (http://www.photo.net/learn/concerts/mirarchi/concer_1.htm).

For this flash is allowed. Not sure what a "diffuser" is ??
I might look into the 50mm F/1.8 it mainly depends how
much $cash$ I can save between now and then. We're looking
to put it on when the main building is repaired (hurricane damage)
but at this rate who can say? Might be this month or next or Oct...

I am reading the link as I type this :D So far very informative!

scottbergerphoto - not sure which Sigma you mean but all the 500mm
ones were faaaar out of my budget ;) Please remember I am 17y/o and
a student so my budget is very very small for the time being :(

[scottbergerphoto]

For this flash is allowed. Not sure what a "diffuser" is ??
I might look into the 50mm F/1.8 it mainly depends how
much $cash$ I can save between now and then. We're looking
to put it on when the main building is repaired (hurricane damage)
but at this rate who can say? Might be this month or next or Oct...

I am reading the link as I type this :D So far very informative!

scottbergerphoto - not sure which Sigma you mean but all the 500mm
ones were faaaar out of my budget ;) Please remember I am 17y/o and
a student so my budget is very very small for the time being :(
I don't know the smiley for scratching my head, so just visualize it. ;)
The Sigma 500 DG Super is a flash that costs about the same as a 420EX, but has features similiar to the 550EX.

[glenhead]

In a city the size of Daytona (or somewhere close by) there's probably a camera store that'll rent you a bigger flash, so you don't have to eat the whole enchilada. If you can find one, they'll likely have a diffuser you can get to go with it. A diffuser is a thingy to soften and spread out the flash - basically a fancy and expensive Pringle's lid (which will work just as well in a pinch).

[scottbergerphoto]

A diffuser is a thingy to soften and spread out the flash - basically a fancy and expensive Pringle's lid (which will work just as well in a pinch).
Well said!

[JonathanSQ]

I don't know the smiley for scratching my head, so just visualize it. ;)
The Sigma 500 DG Super is a flash that costs about the same as a 420EX, but has features similiar to the 550EX.

:oops: My mistake! Only time I've seen "DG Super" mentioned
has been in lense prior to this so I thought you meant a lens.

I'll check over at Beach Photo to see if I
can rent a flash I didn't think of that :D

[Dan GSR]

enough is hard to say...
but having more than you need is always good
cuz you could always control how much light gets into the camera....but you can't let in more light if it isn't there



demo, on the power of the 580ex

both shots were taken in manual mode
1/200, f/18, 135mm, ISO 100
suject is 11 feet from the camera
in my room with all the lights off

first one is with just the pop up flash

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/dangsr/popup.jpg

second shot is with the 580ex on full power

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/dangsr/580ex.jpg

[MadMesh]

I LOVE DEDICATED SPEEDLIGHTS. No SLR photographer should be without one. And a cheap one is better than nothing.

Currently using a 420ex only, FULL ETTL, im very happy.