My 70d images look so much better when using a flash!

I have sort of come to a realization about using Flash that has me wanting to use it MORE. When I got my dSLR, I took heed of staying in M mode just to force myself to understand the ISO, Shutter, Aperture concepts and it has truly given me an appreciation for handling a camera. I love M mode and use it often unless time is not on my side, then I go to an appropriate T or A mode.

Just like M mode, I also thought to shoot without a flash. For the most part, I like shooting without a flash, especially when shooting in stealth mode like at a church or birthday party, where constant flashes can be unnerving to others.

However, this weekend, I put onto my 70D my little 270ex speedlite because I was going to be shooting inside where natural light and indoor light would just not be enough. I am tired of the high ISO noise and dealing with it...and what a shocker! My photo's look crisp, colorful, and very appealing...nothing I could have achieved with high ISO or trying steady hands with longer shutter speed.

I was shooting in M mode, at 1/250, f8.0, and ISO at 1600 for the most part...I sometimes had to boost FEC to +2/3. Flash was direct too, not bounced (which I will try another time)

My photos have never looked better!

I am starting to rethink the flash....I have an Yongnuo Yn-560 that I will explore as well.

Of course.

kezug wrote in post #17471067
...
I was shooting in M mode, at 1/250, f8.0, and ISO at 1600 for the most part...I sometimes had to boost FEC to +2/3. Flash was direct too, not bounced (which I will try another time)
...

Those are my starting point settings for doing flash work indoors. Even the +2/3 FEC. Now you need to get a flash unit that elevates past vertical, and rotates 180 degrees in both directions: 580EX II. You'll love experimenting with all that. And the diffuser panel and reflector panel.

Flash is just one more weapon in your photographic arsenal. Like any other tool, it can be used poorly and/or inappropriately. Witness selective coloration (or decoloration), razor thin DOF, PP vignetting and others. Play with all aspects of your photography. If you like one camera-mounted flash, you'll love the versatility of a few stands, umbrellas and multiple flash units.

This is my favorite book on flash photography http://www.amazon.com …stering+flash+p​hotography. It has in-depth descriptions of the Canon system. I think there is some Nikon stuff, too. I didn't pay attention to that, though.

Being able to bounce flash and run ISO 100-400 indoors with confidence makes an enormous difference, doesn't it?

It's a simple reminder: The light is more important than anything else in photography. With some practice and study you'll be able to do even more, but even without practice, bounced TTL flash makes taking indoor photos a snap.

And don't fall prey to those evil-doers who would have you believe tupperware like Stofen diffusers or Gary Fong Lightspheres are necessities. Waste of money, all. Every flash modification I've ever needed to do was accomplished with a white 3"x5" index card and rubber band. Ok, almost. I did use a toilet paper tube, once.

YEP!

Heya,

TTL + anything, indoors, makes capturing everything super easy, with all the wonderful detail of good glass and the size of the larger SLR sensors.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qWmV​xU

Another suggestion to further your education:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html

(He's deals a lot with off-camera flash (which is where you're going next, guaranteed). When you get there, instead of using cables to trigger off-camera flash my suggestion is the YN-622C rf triggers.)

groundloop wrote in post #17471752
Another suggestion to further your education:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html

(He's deals a lot with off-camera flash (which is where you're going next, guaranteed). When you get there, instead of using cables to trigger off-camera flash my suggestion is the YN-622C rf triggers.)

I have researched (never used) those triggers. They have an excellent reputation.

Newer Canon cameras and flashes include the optically-fired flash commander system. It works very well indoors, even with receiving units behind furniture and around corners. It does everything I need it to do without buying more gear. I don't think it would be useful at more than 30' or so, perhaps not at all outdoors. I am sure all of this is over your head at this point. The key thing to know is that if you buy Canon EX II flashes, you already own everything you need to use off-camera and multiple flash setups. Well, indoors anyway.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17472184
I have researched (never used) those triggers. They have an excellent reputation.

Newer Canon cameras and flashes include the optically-fired flash commander system. It works very well indoors, even with receiving units behind furniture and around corners. It does everything I need it to do without buying more gear. I don't think it would be useful at more than 30' or so, perhaps not at all outdoors. I am sure all of this is over your head at this point. The key thing to know is that if you buy Canon EX II flashes, you already own everything you need to use off-camera and multiple flash setups. Well, indoors anyway.

I use the same system with my 60D. I haven't tried it at broad daylight on a sunny day, but it works in the afternoon:

IMAGE LINK: http://s37.photobucket​.com …on/IMG_5748setu​p.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s37.photobucket​.com …7179_zps7efe962​1.jpg.html

MakisM1 wrote in post #17472284
I use the same system with my 60D. I haven't tried it at broad daylight on a sunny day, but it works in the afternoon:

a really good way to get started in portrait photography!

I agree. My only complaint is that the 60D only controls A:B. If I want A:B,c - I have to mount the 580EX II on-camera. And that means I need another flash unit! I think the 7D, 7D2 can control A:B, c. I regret selling my 2 copies of the 550EX, now.

With the advent of the Yongnuo 622c, the choice is getting interesting (for me anyway). I am toying with the idea of a third flash.

If I were just starting I'd get 622 triggers (I am not sure what advantage the 622Tx offers) and three Yongnuo flashes (so I can use them with either the 60D or the 5D3).

Now, a 430 EXII will complete the set, but the 60D would remain my only portrait camera and the limitation of only 2 groups will remain.

I guess I can order one Yongnuo and the triggers... Decisions, decisions...

MakisM1 wrote in post #17472304
With the advent of the Yongnuo 622c, the choice is getting interesting (for me anyway). I am toying with the idea of a third flash.

If I were just starting I'd get 622 triggers (I am not sure what advantage the 622Tx offers) and three Yongnuo flashes (so I can use them with either the 60D or the 5D3).

Now, a 430 EXII will complete the set, but the 60D would remain my only portrait camera and the limitation of only 2 groups will remain.

I guess I can order one Yongnuo and the triggers... Decisions, decisions...

Heya,

622's and 565EX's (or 568EX's) are excellent ways to get into flash photography. Portable, wireless off camera TTL is amazing.

Alternatively, a fleet of 560 III's with a single controller is also wonderful with the new 560TX controller that remotely changes power level on 560 III's so you get a lot more light for your money, if you're getting into having lots of lights since they have built in wireless receivers and the 560TX can control their power remotely so you can change all settings from your camera. And that means no extra triggers, just one, which saves on buying tons of transceivers and of course batteries. It's a manual setup only, no TTL, but you have remote settings at your fingers to alter power on all 560 III's separately without having to change each one manually, which is really nice.

Works on all Canons too.

Portable softbox is my favorite modifier. Soft, even light.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/p8if​xa

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oKvD​TB

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oaSk​Y7

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/orn7​fs

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/raEM​mZ

Martin,

Thank you for a well reasoned and documented post (as always ).

Are you saying that I can trigger my 2 Canon 430EXIIs with the 560TX? Otherwise, I am not sure that I want to give them up (or is there a hybrid 622C/560TX solution?).

Second, can you share with us what is the brand of your portable softbox and whether it has an internal baffle?

Thank you

Gerry

MakisM1 wrote in post #17472372
Martin,

Thank you for a well reasoned and documented post (as always ).

Are you saying that I can trigger my 2 Canon 430EXIIs with the 560TX? Otherwise, I am not sure that I want to give them up (or is there a hybrid 622C/560TX solution?).

Second, can you share with us what is the brand of your portable softbox and whether it has an internal baffle?

Thank you

Gerry

Heya,

The 560TX is for the 560 III's specifically (the 560III's have built in wireless receivers, so no extra transceiver is needed with them, for a $70 manual (no TTL) wireless flash with a built in receiver). The 560TX is a new controller that specifically is made for the 560 III's, it controls their power level and lets you do it individually from there on the camera instead of going to each flash and changing power levels, etc. It saves a lot of walking. And the setup is great for fleets of lights, because most people using multiple lights use manual anyways to control different outputs, so the 560 III fleet is a nice way to go for multi-speedlite setups, as they're powerful, cheap, wireless, and now have a controller that changes their settings from the camera. The 560 TX again is exclusive to the 560 III's.

The 622c's have their own controller that is similar, the 622 TX. It controls all the 622's under it's control. This solution lets you keep TTL, HSS, etc, wirelessly if you want that. It just costs more, everything takes batteries, etc. More stuff.

The softbox is a simple Neewer 24 x 24 softbox, using a S-type bracket (universal) for mounting instead of a hot shoe type (it just clamps the light instead of using a shoe; I prefer that). It has an internal diffuser to spread the light. So you set your flash to it's widest setting, it hits the diffuser, and then that spread across the 24 x 24" surface of the box for even light from edge to edge. Only $30 on Amazon. I use it around 3~4 feet from subjects typically, just out of the frame on a stand.

If you want bigger, Fotodiox makes a pretty good 36" octagon softbox with internal diffuser too, just like this, but 36" and a nicer catchlight shape (near round). Single speed lite still is plenty for it. It's closer to $65. Use the same S-bracket for mounting.

Very best,