Canon 580ex + 580exii = Melted gels??!!

Hello

Im currently making a 3 point lighting setup with my 580exii, 580ex, and a alienbee b800.

I also got a new pack of Rosco "The Strobist Collection" colored gels, so I decided to play around with colors and all was going well.

I went to change the gels for different colors, and i noticed a large hole through my gel in the 580exii, a slightly smaller hole in the 580ex...

Is this normal? the flashes were both set at 1/2 power. Should I turn them down?

Thanks!

There are many types and forms of colored gels, in the future, just make sure that you get the heat resistant gels..... But to answer your question, yes it is normal with cheaper type gels. And although Roscoe is a "Name Brand" company when it comes to gels, they do make and use cheaper materials for some of their gels.

Hi,

thanks for the reply. What are some heat resistant gel brands out there? Honl brand?

I really liked Rosco's pricetag and the pre-cut sizes, but now that i got my Alienbee now, I might be looking for un cut full sheet gels. Any recommendations on what to get?

thanks.

Flash power is only part of the issue (1/2 power citation).

How fast were you firing the flash (increase time to allow heat to dissipate from filter) ?

Was there any space between the filter and the flash head (increase surface area and mass flow to filter)?

Enjoy! Lon

My rosco gels warp if I put them too close to my 430EX II's flash head and take a bunch of high power shots. If youve ever popped a speedlite at high power on your skin youll understand why the gels melt

If you make something out of cardboard to hold the gel in front of the flash, they wont melt. You can also buy gel holders for 580s if you dont want your setup to look junky

What about the inexpensive swatchbooks like these? Good or trash?


http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Roscolux_Swatc​hbook.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …3_Cinegel_Swatc​hbook.html


(I'm using the LumiQuest (LQ-121) FXtra Compact Gel Holder)

Hi,

I wasn't constantly firing, but i was firing every now and then, Sorta like "take a shot, look at LCD for a bit, take another" routine.

My gels were taped on with gaffers tape just to try them out temporarily. I guess I should put some space between them somehow? I dont mind my flashes lookin junky... after all its the photo that counts! lol

How much distance are you guys giving between the flash and the gel?

The gels do get "burnt" over use. They are cheap, just replace them (or buy sheets and cut them yourself).
Interesting video - http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=tt5tnY_c09k

You can attach them with an "ark" to the gels so that there is a space between the flash and the gel, this is how I use it, and it works fine, no colourlose.

Purchase the below Gelholder designed for the speedlites and i think your melting problem may be solved:

http://www.gelholder.c​om/gelholder/

Regards,

Silverfox1 wrote in post #11986718
Purchase the below Gelholder designed for the speedlites and i think your melting problem may be solved:

http://www.gelholder.c​om/gelholder/

Regards,

HOLY SMOKES thats a lot for a plastic picture frame !!!

calamari86 wrote in post #11985534
Hi,

I wasn't constantly firing, but i was firing every now and then, Sorta like "take a shot, look at LCD for a bit, take another" routine.

My gels were taped on with gaffers tape just to try them out temporarily. I guess I should put some space between them somehow? I dont mind my flashes lookin junky... after all its the photo that counts! lol

How much distance are you guys giving between the flash and the gel?

that's how i do it:

IMAGE LINK: http://photo-tips-online.com …-canon-speedlite-580ex-ii

This is what I use and it works great. Under heavy use it may warp the gels but I haven't put a hole through one yet.

Silverfox1 wrote in post #11986718
Purchase the below Gelholder designed for the speedlites and i think your melting problem may be solved:

http://www.gelholder.c​om/gelholder/

Regards,

Green Li wrote in post #11989013
that's how i do it:

IMAGE LINK: http://photo-tips-online.com …-canon-speedlite-580ex-ii

Same. I had an issue when I had them flat across, but with curving the gel a bit I don't even warp them.

Yup, I have melted MANY a Rosco gel on my 580EX II flash units. Trick is to either get a holder that mounts them further away from the face of the flash, or figure out a way to mount them further away without a holder.

Or find a stronger gel.