So, I'm back and I have some questions about flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

07/31/2023 12:53:39 AM · #1

So, I haven't been here for some time except to pop in and take a look around. I took a break from photography altogether for a while and then, for the last few years, I\ve been working in film exclusively, save for what I've shot with my iPhone, mostly 35mm, but I also acquired a Crown Graphic and a Speed Graphic both in 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 that have been a blast, especially with a 120 rollfilm back.

In any case, I recently traded a older car I had for a Canon R8 and a couple of the less expensive prime lenses (50 mm f1.4 and 16 mm f2.8). I also got an EF adapter so I can use my old EF lenses that I'm not ready to let go. I started looking at flashes and wondered WTH happened. The top end Canon flash, the EL-1 is $1100? Is it really all that? Sure, the old Canon optical multi-flash system had its fault, but...really? I also see a lot of people using Godox flashes, which seem to have better radio capability, are much less expensive AND are for the most part camera system agnostic so maybe that's the better system. Anyone have experience with those? Sometimes it makes me miss the days when I just had a bag full of Vivitar 285 vari-power manual flashes and Wein optical triggers (no, not really).

tanguera

Nikon D750

07/31/2023 01:00:39 AM · #2

LOL! Welcome back, Spork.

Hopefully others can give you better advice on the flashes. I myself use strobes (for studio), and the #1 requirement for them is reliability.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

07/31/2023 01:15:30 AM · #3

Originally posted by tanguera:

I myself use strobes (for studio), and the #1 requirement for them is reliability.

Those are a lot of fun too, but I need something more portable. Just out of curiosity what strobes do you use?

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

07/31/2023 09:23:19 AM · #4

Welcome back!!

I use the Godox flashes. I have the regular Godox VING V860IIC and I have a couple of the Godox V1s.

I absolutely love the V1s!! I think the round head gives better coverage. You can buy it with an accessory kit. The round diffuser in the kit is great. Plus all the accessories are magnetic, so they just pop on and off -- no obnoxious velcro straps.

That being said, I have some soft boxes for my flashes, and they unfortunately expect the rectangular head, so I have to force those to fit the round head.

The great thing about the V1 is that it has a model light! It's so great to be able to turn that on to see if you're pointing the flash anywhere near the right area!

I have the commander to use it off camera. And since that works so well, I bought another V1 and can have a multi-flash, off camera setup when I don't want to drag around my studio lights.

I highly recommend the Godox V1s. I've never liked flash, but the V1s make it fun to use flash again.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

07/31/2023 11:23:29 AM · #5

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by tanguera:
I myself use strobes (for studio), and the #1 requirement for them is reliability.

Those are a lot of fun too, but I need something more portable. Just out of curiosity what strobes do you use?

I have both the Profoto B1X and D1

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

07/31/2023 08:26:01 PM · #6

So I had Canon 420EX/430EX and 580EX speedlights back in the day, as a reference. They threw light, but I never found them terribly impressive, especially not as the prices kept going up. For the 2ish years that I had my Canon RF kit, I had the Godox 685II speedlite and the ProX trigger, and I thought it was just as good as the Canon's had ever been - better, really, since the built-in radio system let me finally retire my ancient Yongnuo radio triggers.

When I switched back to m43 recently, I re-bought the 685II + ProX kit for that system without even considering an in-system brand flash. And then, after testing a little Godox 350 unit, I went back and bought 2x more of them! The Godox 350 flashes are mini version, but their physical size is a much better fit for my m43 gear and they are great for macro work, and they still have the built-in radio system Also, they are $50 at B&H, which was way too good to pass up getting a few.

I have an older non-TTL Godox ringlight as well. It's a "dumb" flash, but has chugged along without complaint for at least 6 years now. It all seems to work and hold up really well.

08/01/2023 12:02:09 AM · #7

Originally posted by tanguera:

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by tanguera:
I myself use strobes (for studio), and the #1 requirement for them is reliability.

Those are a lot of fun too, but I need something more portable. Just out of curiosity what strobes do you use?

I have both the Profoto B1X and D1

I always loved working for photogs that had Profoto lights. They make great equipment and they were great to use.