Taylor Clemson - Location 2.0: August 2013

On Camera Flash

Ok so the last 2 weeks have been really busy for me with work, my roommate being in hospital and myself being quite sick. So I have the flash assignment from last week results below.
I also had a shortage of models while doing these assignments since everyone I knew in Canberra all decided to go elsewhere for the weekend or when I was free.

Model : Caitlin Gould

1. Manual Exposure calculations

So I figured out that my guide number for my speedlite is 29

Flash full power, subject at 2 meters:

1/8 F16 ISO 100

Flash at 1/4 Power subject at 2 meters:

1/8 F9 ISO 100

Flash at 1/4 power and ISO 400 Subject at 2 meters:

1/8 F16 ISO 400

2. Bounce Flash

Direct flash:

1/80 F6.3 ISO 160

Bounced off Ceiling:

1/160 F5 ISO 160

Bounced off White Wall:

1/25 F5.6 ISO 100

Bounced off Coloured wall:

1/20 F4 ISO 100

Portable Flash Research

For this comparison I have chosen to compare Canon's 580EX II speedlite and the Sigma EF - 530 DG Super speedlite to equip with my Canon 7D.

Out of the two speedlites I would still prefer to buy the Canon branded flash as it is specifically made for the Canon camera equipment and software and it is a more powerful flash than the Sigma. If I didn't have the money to buy the 580EX II then I would go with the Sigma as it is still more powerful than the Canon 430EX II and just short of the 580EX II.

Here is a summery of what I have found.

Canon 580EX II

The 580EX II is a top of the line speedlite from Canon. This piece of equipment can be used as a Master to control slave units in multi-flash setups using the built-in wireless (light-based) triggering system. The 7D can be used configure this flash directly from the in camera menus. Canon finally caught up to Nikon and integrated this feature with the 7D's built-in flash. Other features include improved communication reliability through its direct contacts, and recycling time is b

oth 20% shorter than the 580EX and is completely inaudible.

Highlights

Approximately 20 percent faster recycling time compared to 580EX
Superior build quality, including a metal foot for higher rigidity
Max Guide No. 58 at 105mm setting (GN 190, feet)
Auto conversion of flash coverage with compatible digital SLR cameras
White Balance info communicated instantly to compatible digital SLR cameras
Full swivel, 180 degrees in either direction
AF-assist beam, compatible with all AiAF points on every EOS SLR
Dust- and water- resistance

Main Specifications:

Guide Number: 24-58 (ISO 100, m)
Flash coverage: 24-105mm (36-157mm)
Recycling time: 0.1-6 seconds
Bounce facility: Yes (0-90º)
Swivel facility: Yes (0-360º)
TTL: Yes
AF assist beam: Yes
Strobe flash: Yes
Wireless flash: Yes
Second-curtain sync: Yes
Power source: Four AA batteries
External power: Yes
Dimensions (WHD): 76x134x114mm
Weight: 375g
Fitting: Canon

Cost: Unfortunately this speedlite has been discontinued by Canon and replaced by the 600 so there are few places left to buy a brand new 580EX II.

Amazon - $699.00
Ebay - $529.00
Pro World - $646.00
Top End Electronics - $693.91

Sigma EF - 530 DG Super

This Flash is compatible with Canon's TTL flash metering system. This flash is also note worthy because while it is not as powerful as the 580EX II, it is both cheaper and more powerful than the Canon 430EX II. Designed exclusively for Canon digital SLR cameras, the flash offers a powerful guide number of 174 feet/53 meters and boasts the latest TTL automatic flash exposure control for easy operation. More significantly, the EF-530 is outfitted with a host of advanced features, including a modeling flash function, a multi-pulse flash, a TTL wireless flash, an FP (high-speed) flash, a rear-curtain synchro flash, and a manual flash mode that allows the photographer to set the flash power level by up to eight stops. The auto power-off function, meanwhile, automatically shuts off the display to save battery power. And when the flashgun is fully charged, the flash emits a confirmation-ready light, letting you check the flash exposure level through the camera's viewfinder.

Highlights:

Autozoom function that automatically sets the optimum illumination angle
Covers a focal length from 24mm to 105mm
A built-in wide panel that covers the 17mm angle
A tilting flashgun head for bounce flash (up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, and to the right by 90 degrees)
A down tilt angle of 7 degrees for close-up photography
Sophisticated multifunction flash that can control advanced lighting techniques
Wireless slave-flash functions
Measures 3 by 5.5 by 4.6 inches (W x H x D)
Weighs 10.8 ounces