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FORUMS Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Canon G-series Digital Cameras 
Thread started 25 Nov 2004 (Thursday) 22:51
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Proper use of 420EX and Stofen Omnibounce

 
markubig
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Nov 25, 2004 22:51 |  #1

Hi all -

I understand that the best way to use the Stofen omnibounce is at a 45-degree angle to bounce off the ceiling and diffuse light at the subject. However, what do you do in the case where you have walls and ceilings that aren't white (i.e. wallpaper, wood-paneling, different-colored paints, etc.)?

Additionally, how do you use the Stofen Omnibounce in dark rooms with high ceilings (such as party halls)? Should you be pointing it at the subject in this case? and if they are roughly 10+ feet away, should u just remove the omnibounce from the flast? I'm asking this question because i am getting frustrated with it underexposing and I have the FEC already at +1.5.

Honestly, I was having an easier time with the "2-cent Index Card + Rubberband" solution, but I really want to get the omnibounce to work since I spent the $15 on the darn thing.

Thanks for your help!

~mark


~Mark
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kreego
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Nov 28, 2004 10:32 |  #2

Hi Mark,

I've got the same flash/diffuser on my G5, and have had the same "problem" in similar situations. In fact, I think we're both underestimating how much light the diffuser sends elsewhere.

I use the diffuser when I'm pretty close, ex. portraits, and don't have a white surface available. If I need more range, and have reasonable light walls/ceiling, I remove the diffuser and go for straight bounce flash. But beyond 10-15 feet, even this method can fail, if the volume that needs to be lit up is too big.

So: I see two possibilities:
- a bigger flash (550EX)
- a bigger index card (seriously!)

You could also get someone to help you by holding a reflector, or why not a slave flash, but by then you've basically changed leagues ;-)a

Hope this helps?

K


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MrChad
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Nov 28, 2004 13:47 |  #3

I'm not sure if it's really all your Omni-bounce.
I think all Canon digitals have flash issues - exc. maybe the new 580ex designed EOS digitals.

My 420EX is always perfect on my Elan 7N and my buddies 7E.

But once he installs it on his Drebel or uses the 550EX with the Drebel he has exposure issues.

Maybe we just need to hope the next G works with the 580ex and that all furture speedlights talk to the G's and maybe compensate for the small sensor. We have been hoping for a 480EX type digi-flash soon?

I'd stick to bounce flashing the speedlite on the G unless you are using the internal flash.


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Flagpole
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Nov 28, 2004 14:37 |  #4

G'day markubig!

I cannot say much about the Omnibounce but have you ever considered purchasing http://www.lumiquest.c​om/ (external link) Pro Max system http://www.wrotniak.ne​t/photo/lq/index.html (external link)?

However, what do you do in the case where you have walls and ceilings that aren't white (i.e. wallpaper, wood-paneling, different-colored paints, etc.)?

Well in difficult lighting conditions like above you probably can do the following:

1)Use a gray card held next to the subject and use custom WB measured off the gray card. That should hopefully correct some of the colour cast.

2)Get a white/grey/black card like one you can find at the back of S. Kelby books and get the subject to hold it in the first shot then use the values to adjust your black/white/neutral colours via curves or levels.

3)Shoot in RAW. This allows you to capture maximum available information and then use CS RAW Import to adjust for lor casts or underexposure.

Additionally, how do you use the Stofen Omnibounce in dark rooms with high ceilings (such as party halls)? Should you be pointing it at the subject in this case? and if they are roughly 10+ feet away, should u just remove the omnibounce from the flast? I'm asking this question because i am getting frustrated with it underexposing and I have the FEC already at +1.5.

You can try the following if Omnibounce is the only thing you have. Ideally you would probably need something like the Pro Max 80/20 system with white insert if the ceiling are over 2-3m in height. But try the following:

1) Point at the subject and dial FEC down by a full stop to see if you can reduce those flash lit area by direct flash. The problem is of course that 420EX is fully automatic flash. Hence it will adjust flash output accordingly to produce "correct" exposure.

2)Consider purchasing off camera flash sync cord and holding the flash above the camera and to the side of subject to produce a different flash ilumination.

or maybe think about getting a bigger diffuser like a mini-softbox as it will allow you to use more of a direct flash and diffuse it over a greater area :)

Well thats all I could come up with. Probably not much help I know but you are asking quite a lot from you camera (low-light situations, no surface to difuse the flash from, color casts from walls and others). At the end you may need to compromise with some of the settings to get the shot you need. My advice shoot in RAW then use raw converter to recover shadows or highlights as per this tutorial http://www.adobe.com …fs/highlight_re​covery.pdf (external link)

Goodluck,
Flagpole
Sydney, Australia


G2, 420EX, Tiffen 0.75x & 2.0x, Lumiquest Pro Max

  
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markubig
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Nov 28, 2004 17:26 |  #5

Thank you much for your replies.

Yes, I considered the lumiquest products; and although they looked like a good solution, they were just enormous-looking and I didn't want to stick velcro on my flash, so i went with the stofen, which looked simple and effective, based on previous reviews.

I figured that a stronger flash could be a nice alternative, but the huge difference in $$$ between the 420 and 550 is a bit of an obstacle right now.

I was at a wedding yesterday and used my omnibounce for both the church and the reception. I kept on getting the same underexposure results, so I switched back to my trusty "Index Card". It's amazing how well something that simple works.

I have been shooting in RAW format, and have invested in Photoshop Elements 3.0, so I have been able to correct a lot of my exposure problem pics. However, i just spent over an hour doing post-processing on about 230 pictures. I asked the question because if I could shoot properly, I would definitely reduce my post-processing time. I know that I'm probably asking for a lot, I was just hoping there was a way to improve my performance.

Is there a product that looks (size and shape) like the index card solution? I just feel "weird" when people stare at me attaching a index card with rubberbands.

Thanks again!

~mark


~Mark
Canon 7D |40D
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MrChad
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Nov 28, 2004 18:44 |  #6

Well some of the more expensive flashes have a small pull out card that looks like a flash card, but why mess with what works.

If the flash card works why spend more money, just use it?

I rule of thumb I read once was never be ashamed of your gear. It's the pictures not the gear.


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markubig
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Nov 28, 2004 19:46 |  #7

Thanks for your wisdom, MrChad!!!

I love how the index card works, so i guess i'm going to stick with it!

Here is a pic that I took at the wedding yesterday with the index (flash) card

http://www.photo.net …db/photo?photo_​id=2917767 (external link)

Like I said earlier, I'm amazed how nice my pictures turn out using this 2-cent solution.

~mark


~Mark
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Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM | Tamron SP 70-200 f/2.8 Di VC USD | Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 MACRO USM

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bauerman
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Nov 29, 2004 14:38 |  #8

Can someone explain in more detail - or provide a photo of what you are talking about with the index card and the rubber band. You have peaked my curiosity with that one. Thanks!




  
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markubig
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Nov 29, 2004 16:24 |  #9

Can someone explain in more detail - or provide a photo of what you are talking about with the index card and the rubber band. You have peaked my curiosity with that one. Thanks!

This is how I do it and my pics are coming out great. Anybody doing it differently? or any suggestions on how to do this better?

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IMAGE NOT FOUND
HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

~Mark
Canon 7D |40D
Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM | Tamron SP 70-200 f/2.8 Di VC USD | Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 MACRO USM

Canon Speedlites 580exII, 5800ex

  
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MrChad
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Nov 29, 2004 16:29 |  #10

You place the rubber band around the head of the flash and stick the index card in the rubber band on the head. And the card is positioned on top of the flash head for reference.

Then you point the flash at 45 degrees and the flash fire will bounce off the index combo toward the subject.


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bauerman
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Nov 29, 2004 20:47 |  #11

Hey thanks for the pics and the explanation - that helps and I am going to give that a try......

I used the 420ex this past weekend to take pictures of my son on Santa's lap and got some nasty red-eye. People always talk about how the 420 EX or other accessory flashes are THE cure for red-eye - they are not by any means from my experience......




  
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kreego
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Nov 30, 2004 04:36 |  #12

That's all???

LOL - man, I'm going to try this ASAP. It would be interesting to compare this solution against two others: direct bounce flash, and a Stoffen Omnibounce diffuser. I'll see if I can do this...

K


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markubig
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Nov 30, 2004 06:55 |  #13

when they're right in front of me, I'll use it straight up . . . when the subjects are a little farther, I point 45-degrees and bend the card up . . . have fun!

I think i'm going to put away my stofen for a while. . . :lol:


~Mark
Canon 7D |40D
Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM | Tamron SP 70-200 f/2.8 Di VC USD | Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 MACRO USM

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u02bnpx
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Dec 03, 2004 19:00 |  #14

markubig wrote:
I was at a wedding yesterday and used my omnibounce for both the church and the reception. I kept on getting the same underexposure results, so I switched back to my trusty "Index Card". It's amazing how well something that simple works.

~mark

Can you pass on info on how you use the card? Whenever I do so, I extend the card about 2-3 inches beyond the top of my 550 and angle the flash at 45 degrees. So-so results. Are there other options with this homespun method?

Floyd




  
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u02bnpx
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Dec 03, 2004 19:00 |  #15

markubig wrote:
I was at a wedding yesterday and used my omnibounce for both the church and the reception. I kept on getting the same underexposure results, so I switched back to my trusty "Index Card". It's amazing how well something that simple works.

~mark

Can you pass on info on how you use the card? Whenever I do so, I extend the card about 2-3 inches beyond the top of my 550 and angle the flash at 45 degrees. So-so results. Are there other options with this homespun method?

Floyd




  
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Proper use of 420EX and Stofen Omnibounce
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