mt ex 24 an battery pack

[ceriltheblade]

hi there folks
on the verge of jumping into the mp-e65 and mt ex 24 waters
(if it will happen - it should happen in the end of Sept/ beg of Oct)
but i am also planning on getting a 600 ex rt and a battery pack.
i know that the mt ex 24 can take a lead from a battery pack
but have any of you felt that you needed one, or used one?
I mean...to reiterate...I am not getting the battery pack specifically for use with the mt-ex24...but since i will already have it...I was wondering if there would be conditions where it may be useful....

thanks for any experiences you may have had

[Larry Weinman]

I've never felt a need for one shooting macro. If it speeds up the MT24-EX recycling I think that would be the only advantage

[Canon Bob]

Me neither. I've got a couple of CP-E4's for my 580's but never found the need to improve the MT-24's recycling speed.

Bob

[ceriltheblade]

thanks all for the input. I was thinking that it wouldn't be that helpful, and indeed you verified it mostly. There are a couple interesting capabilities of the MT ex 24 that I have still yet to understand (since for me it is still "on paper" instead of "in hand") including its ability to be a master as well....
but I guess I will see how it works once I finally have it.

[Lester Wareham]

I am sure someone in the section was using an external pack for the twin flash, perhaps Toby.

[DQE]

I use a Quantum Turbo SC external battery pack with my 5DII and MT-24.

I find that it helps prevent the occasional "flash failed to recycle" very dark photograph that had been previously plaguing me when shooting unusually active jumping spiders and perhaps a few other bugs. With most subjects, a few shots at a time, which is typically available without an external battery, is plenty.

In ordinary use, I don't even notice that I'm using the external battery, as it has its own wide camera strap and just hangs off one shoulder. Its weight is too small to notice very much. So, I usually just plug the thing in and use it as a normal part of my macro rig. Although it usually isn't needed, I appreciate the fast recycling time for those occasions when it is beneficial.

Fortunately, by using larger (numerically smaller) apertures, one can simultaneously (1) reduce diffraction-caused image blur, (2) reduce flash recycling time, and (3) shorten the flash-duration and thereby reduce motion blur for very rapidly moving bug body parts. It still requires balancing the tradeoffs of DOF with these other considerations, of course.

A caution: overuse of one's flash unit can cause thermal overload, leading to permanent damage to the flash heads. The larger flash units, such as the Canon 580 series, apparently have thermal overload sensors, but the MT-24 does not. From the user's manual, one should never shoot more than a limited number of full flash equivalent exposures in rapid succession (see the manual for specifics). Cooling time is required between episodes of many rapid succession, full-power flash. Some brands, including the Quantum flash units, are designed for continuous flash use without overheating, as might be needed for wedding photography, etc.

I can't think of any significant downsides to using an external flash, other than the cost.

[ceriltheblade]

Originally Posted by DQE

I use a Quantum Turbo SC external battery pack with my 5DII and MT-24.

I find that it helps prevent the occasional "flash failed to recycle" very dark photograph that had been previously plaguing me when shooting unusually active jumping spiders and perhaps a few other bugs. With most subjects, a few shots at a time, which is typically available without an external battery, is plenty.

In ordinary use, I don't even notice that I'm using the external battery, as it has its own wide camera strap and just hangs off one shoulder. Its weight is too small to notice very much. So, I usually just plug the thing in and use it as a normal part of my macro rig. Although it usually isn't needed, I appreciate the fast recycling time for those occasions when it is beneficial.

Fortunately, by using larger (numerically smaller) apertures, one can simultaneously (1) reduce diffraction-caused image blur, (2) reduce flash recycling time, and (3) shorten the flash-duration and thereby reduce motion blur for very rapidly moving bug body parts. It still requires balancing the tradeoffs of DOF with these other considerations, of course.

A caution: overuse of one's flash unit can cause thermal overload, leading to permanent damage to the flash heads. The larger flash units, such as the Canon 580 series, apparently have thermal overload sensors, but the MT-24 does not. From the user's manual, one should never shoot more than a limited number of full flash equivalent exposures in rapid succession (see the manual for specifics). Cooling time is required between episodes of many rapid succession, full-power flash. Some brands, including the Quantum flash units, are designed for continuous flash use without overheating, as might be needed for wedding photography, etc.

I can't think of any significant downsides to using an external flash, other than the cost.

Thanks for this. It is very important to know. I can't imagine having to do a full spray and pray for too many things with the 7d on the macro level.... but it is good to remember the above. i might get a bit too excited at once!

I will not be using the NIMH of the qunatum but rather an "off brand" cp-e4 type of device with 4-8 AA batteries, but it sounds like it has the same principle. and it sounds like in general you are pleased with the combination.

Do you fid that when you bend down or in close quarters, that the unit - swings or annoys you in any way?

again thanks for your experiences!

[DQE]

Originally Posted by ceriltheblade

Thanks for this. It is very important to know. I can't imagine having to do a full spray and pray for too many things with the 7d on the macro level.... but it is good to remember the above. i might get a bit too excited at once!

I will not be using the NIMH of the qunatum but rather an "off brand" cp-e4 type of device with 4-8 AA batteries, but it sounds like it has the same principle. and it sounds like in general you are pleased with the combination.

Do you fid that when you bend down or in close quarters, that the unit - swings or annoys you in any way?

again thanks for your experiences!

I just don't notice the battery at all, just as I don't notice my camera's neck strap. Once you become used to your rig, you soon develop a shooting rhythm, and after you adjust the length of the battery's neck strap, it just hangs naturally off to one side. If I need to squat or bend down, the battery just hangs off to one side and doesn't get in the way. This ease of use probably depends on finding an appropriate length neck strap, with appropriate friction so it doesn't slide off of your shoulder. Some more detail: I am right-handed, and hang the aux flash battery from my right shoulder so that its neck strap *crosses* my chest, allowing the battery to hang from my left side. The battery then hangs at about waist height when I am standing fully erect, gently touching my right hip. This way, the battery's strap doesn't slide off of my shoulder. The battery needs to be on the left since the electrical socket for the battery is on the left side of the MT-24 flash. Hopefully, it will be easy to find a comfortable, stable neck strap and attachment methods for your planned battery case. Fortunately, the battery doesn't weigh very much.

The prices of the Quantum brand external batteries are high. They provide some additional features such as LED lights showing the state of the battery charge and good customer support. They recharge quickly and mine is now several years old with no issues. I think they target their products at wedding photographers and others who require unusual dependability and customer support.

Part of the benefit from using an external flash battery depends on the extent to which your mind becomes single-task-focused while shooting macro. Personally speaking, I become VERY single-task focused and just can't reliably keep up with how many flashes I've shot recently in order to avoid recycle time issues. Thus, I personally benefit from having an external flash battery. YMMV.

Now, I only have to avoid overheating my flash heads due to not paying attention to how many full-power flash exposures I've made in the past 10 or so minutes. Since accidentally (but carelessly...) burning out my first MT-24 due to thermal overload, I've definitely become MUCH more attentive to this issue!

Good luck with your aux battery and your macro photography.