Night Football Flash Set-up

There's an active thread on another sports board asking and showing monopod-based flash set-ups, so I thought I'd post here also so members can share their "rigs".

First shot is a closeup. The Stroboframe Pro-T is mounted to the back hole on my EF 400 f/2.8L IS tripod collar foot. The first shot doesn't have the Quantum Turbo 2X2 battery pack shown. I had to reverse the Pro-T 'cuz the upright portion of the bracket was interfering with the focus ring on my 400. Also had to grind a little off the bottom of the bracket to fit (reversed, it fits OK, of course.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif'

the 580 doesn't have the reach of the 400 does it?

Excellent idea Dennis, here is the setup I use. Modified Pro-T frame to extend the flash height above the lens axis.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Here's mine, the Custom Bracket is attached to the camera, so when I shoot in portrait I have to flip the bracket. In order to hook it to the foot of the 400 I would have to grind the bracket or the monopod just a little. I'm not a big fan of the flash mounted below the camera, the shadows can be horrible.

So guys, are you mounting the flash higher because it helps reduce red eye in the players if just mounted on the flash shoe or are there other reasons?

Merciez wrote in post #6248832
Excellent idea Dennis, here is the setup I use. Modified Pro-T frame to extend the flash height above the lens axis.

How do you shoot vertical?

Dennis,

Is that as high as you raise the flash? I found an interesting setup that Im gonna try to use tonight and see how it works (so long as the rain holds off...).

Gatorboy wrote in post #6249158
How do you shoot vertical?

I don't when using the above setup

How do I shoot vertical? In my set-up, the lens rotates in the tripod collar as usual, and since the bracket is mounted to the foot of the collar, it stays stationary and the flash remains directly over the lens, independent of the orientation of the camera/lens.

Matt, I'm gonna probably add an extension to the upright of the Stroboframe to get the flash higher. Adam, I'd like it higher, but this would be to reduce red-eye not lens hood shadow. I actually have shot a couple games with the flash right on the camera (my flash cover is only waterproof when the flash is mounted to the camera) and I saw no lens hood shadow at all, so I wouldn't worry.

dmwierz wrote in post #6249725
How do I shoot vertical? In my set-up, the lens rotates in the tripod collar as usual, and since the bracket is mounted to the foot of the collar, it stays stationary and the flash remains directly over the lens, independent of the orientation of the camera/lens.

Matt, I'm gonna probably add an extension to the upright of the Stroboframe to get the flash higher. Adam, I'd like it higher, but this would be to reduce red-eye not lens hood shadow. I actually have shot a couple games with the flash right on the camera (my flash cover is only waterproof when the flash is mounted to the camera) and I saw no lens hood shadow at all, so I wouldn't worry.

I only ask because my little job is higher than where it would be without the frame but its not skyscraper high. I was just wondering how high is it really needed. Im honestly not too worried about red-eye since photoshop has a pretty nice tool for it.

erm.. u guys still haven't answered my question, the 580EX doesn't have the reach of the 400mm right?

Aaagogo wrote in post #6251240
erm.. u guys still haven't answered my question, the 580EX doesn't have the reach of the 400mm right?

A few things...

#1 The GN for a 580EX II is 190 feet ..
#2 There are obviously a number of people that are using a 580 with their 400. Do you think theyre just doing it for decoration?

The 580EX will definitely work with a 400.

hmm...

good point,

now then, 2nd point, screw u guys and your 400,, !@#)(!@!()@$^!@(3 LOL

Aaagogo wrote in post #6251285
hmm...

good point,

now then, 2nd point, screw u guys and your 400,, !@#)(!@!()@$^!@(3 LOL

Haha Ill agree with you on that one

I have found the typical range with a 400 f/2.8 and a 580EX is around 30 yards.It's not so much how far the flash will reach as it is how far it will reach AND be at least one stop over ambient. The light from the flash will actually reach 50+ yards. The farther I try to shoot, the better the chances are of ghosting since the light drops of as the inverse square of the distance to subject. This means if I double the distance (say from 20 to 40 yards) the flash output is 1/4 as bright, which is HUGE since it equates to 2 stop drop off in flash illumination. If I set my flash up to be 2 stops over ambient up to 20 yards, this means I will be shooting 50/50 ambient and flash at 40 yards, which will almost guarantee ghosting.

Also, if you set your flash TOO bright, you will blow out close shots. I've actually gotten pretty good at quickly adjusting the intensity of the flash as a play moves towards or away from me. Some guys shoot in ETTL, and claim this automatically adjust flash output for them. The times I've tried, this works OK (you adjust flash output with the FEC on the flash), but ETTL is really finicky, normally needing the flash to be at least one stop over ambient to properly set output level.