5DIII - do you miss the built in flash?

Like I said... I scoff

I agree with everything but this:

adamo99 wrote in post #16110967
If it's obvious in your photos that you are using flash, you're doing it wrong.

It's obvious to me that fill flash was used because I see the strength of the backlighting... there's no way that I'm not looking at a silhouette unless you used fill. That said, I applaud you. You understand lighting and you're not on a high horse that neighs flash should be avoided at all costs.

Perhaps you didn't use fill because you didn't have your flash unit and there's no pop-up... but your image editing abilities are so tremendous that you're able to lift the shadows and still keep contrast and detail... then as you're meticulously trying to brighten those darker areas and keeping details, don't you miss that on-camera flash?

yes, miss it greatly when moving to full frame.

night photography, I only need a tad bit of light since I'm grabbing a lot of ambient, and fill works great in that situation. I'de rather have "nasty" fill flash in a heavily backlit situation, than not and then pull shadows/exposure.

not a deal breaker, but that means I carry my 270/580 everywhere....

I don't miss having a flash on the 5D3. I am not sure i would use it if it is not possible to orientate/bounce it...

No don't miss it and don't want it, that's why they make and sell off camera flashes, even they know they aren't the best.

Nathan wrote in post #16111068
Like I said... I scoff

I agree with everything but this:

It's obvious to me that fill flash was used because I see the strength of the backlighting... there's no way that I'm not looking at a silhouette unless you used fill.

Perhaps I should have said "blatantly obvious". Naturally, it depends on the amount of backlighting also.

I agree that with strong backlighting, the photographer will know that artificial light was used- but most people aren't photographers. They just look at a photo, and comment that "it looks great", not knowing the why or how. I think we overestimate how much the average person knows, or frankly cares, about the image capture process.

If you use the pop-up flash in the green box mode, and your pictures all get washed out by horrible overpowering flash, yes- I can see the apprehension.

Used properly though, the built-in flash is an indispensable tool for adding fill to outdoor candids, when you want to travel light. I would love to have one on the 5D3. Hell, if it didn't sacrifice weather sealing on the 1-series, I would prefer it on my 1DIII and 1DIV also.

I shot a Nikon D700 for a time, and loved the built-in flash.

I use a 550EX for fill flash. Mounting it on a gripped 5D w/lens is hardly noticeable. And I like the results. I don't use the built-in on my 60D for anything but commander-mode.

I can remember when video was added to cameras, and lots of people complained that they didn't want it, and would never use it, other said it's not a problem, if you don't want it "DON"T USE IT", the same could be said about having a popup flash.

Brianbar wrote in post #16111727
I can remember when video was added to cameras, and lots of people complained that they didn't want it, and would never use it, other said it's not a problem, if you don't want it "DON"T USE IT", the same could be said about having a popup flash.

Yes, but this is concerning a feature that isnt present as opposed to one you can ignore.

Sirrith wrote in post #16110261
High ISO does nothing for fill light. It will just help you expose for the subject while the background gets completely blown out.
If its an "important" photo. Define important? To me important are memories from travels. Travel for me means weight restrictions and hiking, both of which involve minimizing kit. A speedlite would do absolutely nothing to improve fill-flash quality outdoors unless you get it off-camera, and use modifiers in which case it is no longer travel, but a location photoshoot.

Sorry I didn't mean to upset anyone. Obviously there is a time and place for fill flash but I assumed that most people who have bought a 5D mkiii and is lugging that around would give a crap about lighting their subjects properly and its not really hard to take a small off camera flash around with you is it? Especially if you've already decided to take a big camera and lens!

If you want convenience, get convenience in the form of a smaller, consumer camera.

In my experience fill flash from built in units can cause the lenses to cast shadows unless you have a small lens. So I would argue that it definitely can make a difference. If hiking and keeping kit to a minimum is important then I reckon you might have the wrong camera. You should look for a decent mirrorless one perhaps?

When I mapped out my plan to develop as a photographer, I started out with a G12. As I added gear, I bought stuff that would work with a DSLR so my first flash was a 580EX II, definitely overkill for the G12 but I used it with a Newton FR3 rotating flash bracket (thanks, Wilt).

My point is... I never did use the on board flash when shooting the G12 nor do I with the 60D, but when I'm out and about, my 580EX II is in the bag, so I don't have to.

Who's upset? Just a little disagreement. I recognize there are people who need to pack light and others who will carry a good amount of gear. I'm a strong believer in everything in between, including a pop-up flash as a potential tool should you leave the speedlite at home. I, for one, always bring the 580 with me... but I still miss the pop-up on occasion. Gosh be darn when I forget to charge those batteries.

I guess I don't miss it...just realized today that I have one on my 60d.....

Hmm... that 90ex looks pretty good for my next Yosemite group hiking trip in a few weeks.
1.8oz + 2 AAA batteries (90ex) VS 13.2oz + 4 AA batteries (580exII).

nope, I never use pop-up since 99% of the time it looks horrible

plus its a lot more aesthetically pleasing without it

What flash?