Quantum or Canon Flash System?

I have sent the question of QNexus w/RadioPoppers to their Info email.

I'm thinking I can edge into Quantum in several ways, even starting with just a Turbo SC and cable for 580EX II that would simplify my current Canon external battery pack arrangment. Than add QFlash/QNexus at some point. Then add QFlash with FreeXWire controllers if RadioPoppers don't work.

Dwight, I have not posted in a while, but as a devoted Quantum user who mixes QFlash with Canon EX flash, uses QNexus, and uses QF off-camera, I'll offer comment. You may 1st want to ask yourself the "portable location" question differently with regard to QF.

First and foremost, QF is event flash, it's on-the-go flash. It puts studio quality parabolic reflector light, walking around with you, over the camera on a flash rotation bracket. In that use, no canon EX comes close in light quality, features, portability, repeatability, etc. I mean you "could" put a Lumedyne or Norman battery flash on a flash bracket, but they don't do Q-TTL/E-TTL well, have far few adjustments (QF offers 1/3 stops) and they are larger and bulkier and equally costly. They don't do Auto Thyristor like QF does, and there are times in on the go venues when this is better than both Q-TTL/E-TTL and Manual.

If you do need QF for the above, then you buy into the system, and ALSO make it do double duty for location environmental portraiture work. I use QF off camera, in the wonderful Norman $45 19" octagon folding softbox. I can in-and-out of shooting something in under 10-15 minutes. For longer distance, you'll need FreeWite or PW.

If you DO NOT need QF for the EVENT coverage mentioned above, then there are other, alternative, more powerful ways, more cost effective battery powered lights, which offer a wider variety of light modifiers to, to ONLY perform battery powered location lighting. And I write this as a QF user. QF is about 150W max output.

A Canon 580EX is somewhere about equal to 90W bounce power. Neither is the weapon of choice in a big softbox, and connecting softboxes to QF is not a strong connection.

So, if you buy into QF, do it for the superb repeatable event results, then double duty it for location. Portable location lighting only requires ONE GOOD MAIN KEY LIGHT to get the shot and get out. I use 1 QF and 3 580EXs.

But, if I was going to do location, not event work, I'd get a pair of Dynalite Uni400 JRs and Jack Rabbit II batteries. Those batteries can also power a 580EX at events, like the Quantum Turbo, and the Uni JRs are bullet proof rugged if/when the stand falls in the breeze, and when connecting modifiers. And they can be plugged in when indoors. Really good lights for that purpose.
But, you can't mount it over the camera. Can't have your cake and eat it too. Gotta decide what's more important to you, events on-the-go, or portraits.

That's all just my user opinion. You can't have my QF. The quality of light, the white balance, the huge range of 1/3 stop adjustments, from the camera, even when QF is on a pole, are just too gosh darn useful.

Jack

First, RadioPopper reports that they have not yet tested with QNexus but suggest that some users have had success, but no references.

Jack, thank you for your analysis. I have Bowens QUADX 3000. Bowens has a portable battery pack that will drive two heads (for a total 3000 w/s) for about $2500 ... seems a bit pricey, but is an option that I will consider for location shoots. I do have a series of "events" I am currently shooting (people shots of attendees at VIP events at the casino) but that may wind down at the end of summer. I do have a local friend who uses the QF system with QTTL on Canon equipment so I may investigate his use more closely although I don't think he uses FreeXWire but I will find out. I am able to budget for whatever will do the job I want to do even if that means all combinations but as I am not doing this full time I want to weigh the options.

I agree with J Rabin. I run QF and Canon using QNexus and power both using Quantum batteries. For event photography, the QF is a workhorse that cannot be matched by a Canon flash. Weddings don't wait for overheated flashes.

Rum, you have no trouble with QNexus outdoors?

J Rabin wrote in post #5568038
They don't do Auto Thyristor

Lumedyne does offer the Automatic Exposure Handle Module....

For my purposes, I don't use it outdoors. I like to keep it simple and just fill in daylight. Where I need the extra horsepower is for dark indoor situations.

My experience has been QNexus Slave sensor receives encoded E-TTL signal much further outdoors than a Canon EX flash as slave.
In bright outdoor light, a Canon 580EX will transmit encoded wireless E-TTL further than the Canon ST-E2 because EX flash wireless master uses visible light, while ST-E2 uses some IR. And the QNexus receives from further than EX flash.

I am a subscriber to Chuck Gardener's "one good key light plus a near- or on-camera fill light" is all one needs school picture snapping. Integrating QF off camera into wireless E-TTL as main key, and keeping an EX flash near camera as fill serves my on-the-go needs. If the 580 EX is on the camera as Wireless Master, the whole set up is just a QF and a 580 EX. If the 580 EX as fill is off-camera, then you need a second 580 EX on camera, as Wireless Master, set to transmit but not fire.

I made myself a personal Canon Wireless E-TTL QFlash integration crib sheet here:
http://postit.rutgers.​edu …FWirelessCanon%​5FETTL.pdf

If you want to do this, visit Chuck Gardener's site, and every time he discusses wireless EX Main Key light, think QFlash with QNexus filling that role: http://super.nova.org/​DPR/#Canon

This is just my one person's user experience and opinion, not gospel. Jack

Gentleman Villain. True, true. That's why I offered opinion QF is for us "on-the-go" people. Only on-the-go. For that, QF does the work. It meets my need, the way I described using it. You can't bring nor set up nor manage lighting you mention at most places some of us go, nor will intolerant subjects wait. Jack

Again, I appreciate all the excellent contributions. Last week I had no idea what Quantum was about and today I feel that within the scope of the discussed options I understand QF, QNexus, FireXWire, etc. and can make a fairly informed decision ... which will likely be to step into it piece-wise, getting familiar with each addition before moving forward. I expect that I will start, as mentioned earlier, with just a Turbo SC and CZ cord for my 580EX's and then add a QFlash 5D-R, Turbo SC and QTTL plus flash bracket. If I'm happy with those then I'll add another QFlash, FreeXWire and QTTL and QNexus. I may also pick up the Bowens Explorer 1500 battery generator along the way. I appreciate both the Rum and Gentlemen posts very much as it makes it clear that there are several genres that each have a distinct optimal solution that are not fully compatible and may not overlap at all. Again, thank you.

Just be aware the little SC, while blazing fast recycle time on a 580 EX, has a marginally longer recycle time with the QF than the older, bigger Q Turbo. If that is important to you. Jack

...and not to get too trigger happy with the Canon flashes when using high voltage external batteries. Keep 'em cool if you want them to last.

So, for the QFlash, would it be better to get a Turbo C or one of the othe configuration? I already use a Canon external battery pack on my 580EX II ... but they are tools and if they burn out then I get them repaired. I should have so much work.

It goes back to what I opined (is that a word?) at beginning. Depends what feature set more important to YOU.
If flash-flash recycle time when using the QF is important, then fastest battery is Turbo 2x2 > Turbo > Turbo C & nice new SC, which are same-same.
Flash-flash time order is same when powering the 580 EX. The Turbo 2x2 and Turbo can easily toast the 580 EX. The Turbo SC has a good chance to save you against your own enthusiasm powering the 580 EX , but I am not sure I'd want to power the QF with it, unless flash-flash time was not important. It would be nice to NOT have a 2 1/2 lb. battery on my belt, so the SC beckons one to use, and just slow the heck down a little.

There was a QF T-5Dr on here and Fred Miranda this week for about $525. If I needed a second, that would be a quick way to save $100.
Jack

Over at shootsmarter they posted a page on a session with two Quantum flashes.

Might be worth having a look. (requires login probably)