strobist guys... how to retain good bokeh?

Hello fellow flashers

I have a shoot coming up this weekend, and it never really occured to me that I wont be able to shoot wide open unless a) i have an ND filter b) its really cloudy c) i have radiopoppers (which arent out yet).

My Cactus triggers sync at 1/200th, and if i would like to shoot a model with my 70-200 at 2.8. Assuming it is still daylight / around sunset is this even achievable without producing a completely blown out picture?

I would like to use at least a two light setup outdoors (like jacobthephotographers 580/430 combo). One main light to fill the body and maybe one off camera for a hair light / side lighting.

Worse comes to worse I will just dump the whole cactus system and use my 580ex on a cord triggering my 430ex since I can use HSS. Buut, then I wont be able to use my 70-200

Is there something I am overlooking?
Thanks
Eric

e r y k wrote in post #5141673
Hello fellow flashers

I have a shoot coming up this weekend, and it never really occured to me that I wont be able to shoot wide open unless a) i have an ND filter b) its really cloudy c) i have radiopoppers (which arent out yet).

My Cactus triggers sync at 1/200th, and if i would like to shoot a model with my 70-200 at 2.8. Assuming it is still daylight / around sunset is this even achievable without producing a completely blown out picture?

I would like to use at least a two light setup outdoors (like jacobthephotographers 580/430 combo). One main light to fill the body and maybe one off camera for a hair light / side lighting.

Worse comes to worse I will just dump the whole cactus system and use my 580ex on a cord triggering my 430ex since I can use HSS. Buut, then I wont be able to use my 70-200

Is there something I am overlooking?
Thanks
Eric

This is just a rough estimate but a sunset has an Ev of 11. This is also equivalent to the lighting on a subject in an open shade. At ISO 100 and an aperture of f/2.8, an Ev of 11 will require a shutter speed of 1/250. Looks like it'll be close but you just might be able to get by with f/2.8 and 1/250 without needing a ND filter or using HSS. And since the sun will continue to set, it'll get darker as time goes by and the issue will then become a moot point.

thats one reason why i got a ND8 (3-stop) .. even though it doesnt allow me to shoot a wide aperture in bright sunlight but at least it helps some.

if anything, shoot at 200mm and make sure you have alot of space behind the subject to get some bokeh in the picture

If you don't have an ND filter, a polarizer will give you a stop or better.

polarizer i do have.

my 70-200 is non IS, so i need at least a 1/320 SS to handhold it outdoors, which isnt a problem until you bring in a flash system that only syncs at 1/200.

i need a monopod -.-

dude you can hold that.

and yes, you need an nd filter. you will typically get f/11 in the sun with your sync shutter so three stops will get you to f/4. and make your view finder really, really dark.

and get a 5d, with 1.3 stops more shallow dof and iso 50

this is the main appeal of radiopoppers to me - hss

e r y k wrote in post #5142428
polarizer i do have.

my 70-200 is non IS, so i need at least a 1/320 SS to handhold it outdoors, which isnt a problem until you bring in a flash system that only syncs at 1/200.

i need a monopod -.-

Last week I tried both my 1dmk2 and 30d and both sync fine (using sync cord) at 1/320.

e r y k wrote in post #5142428
polarizer i do have.

my 70-200 is non IS, so i need at least a 1/320 SS to handhold it outdoors, which isnt a problem until you bring in a flash system that only syncs at 1/200.

i need a monopod -.-

you should be able to handhold 1/200 fine with the lens since you'll be using flash which will keep the subject sharp

ekk_xt wrote in post #5143387
you should be able to handhold 1/200 fine with the lens since you'll be using flash which will keep the subject sharp

Flash only keeps your subject sharp if the ambient light on the subject is insignificant. That's rarely the case with outdoor fill.

good tips =] i'm going to keep this in mind

There's nothing I can add since you've been given good advice already, but I just wanted to remind you that you can use a polarizer if you have one for that 70-200, they take out two stops of light and you get the added benefit of richer colors and a nicer sky.

Bill

Plus you can shoot higher than f/2.8 and still retain a blurred background.