List uses of a flashgun.

ab2012

ab2012

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alan
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Ok, I've a 50D.What are the advantages of sticking a flash on top as opposed to the inbuilt flash. Thought it might be an idea to list specific situations where a flashgun might be used.This might benefit not just myself but all those new to flash. Yes, when it's dark, but also for creative shots?
Specifics would be helpful :)
 
Can be bounced
Can be rotated 180 degrees
Can be rear facing
Can be easily diffused
Can be used off camera with a multitude of accessories
Can be put into manual override for finer control
Good ones have zoom heads

To name but some, the list is almost endless
 
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Situations where the on-board flash is preferable to a flashgun:
  • When you haven't got a flashgun.

Well,that was a short list :lol:

The onboard flash is very limited, it only points in one direction, it only points in that direction from a fixed point relative to the lens, the point it points in that direction from is pretty much bang on the lens axis. 99% of the time these are only "features" in the Apple sense of the word.
 
Alastair said:
Situations where the on-board flash is preferable to a flashgun:

[*]When you haven't got a flashgun.


Well,that was a short list :lol:

The onboard flash is very limited, it only points in one direction, it only points in that direction from a fixed point relative to the lens, the point it points in that direction from is pretty much bang on the lens axis. 99% of the time these are only "features" in the Apple sense of the word.
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Whilst not a fan of onboard flashes, they can provide reasonable fill light in bright sunlight.
 
If you are talking about specifically putting a flash gun on the camera I would say the main advantages are:

  • Much more powerful than on-board flash
  • More control of the light e.g. bounced, diffused, full manual control

If you were to take the flash off camera though you would unlock much more potential and control of your shots. You then have much more control over the direction of light and diffusers (e.g. shooting through brolleys and using reflectors etc) and using multiple flashes.

Check out the Strobist blog as it has great information. Also, a guy called Dom Bower does great youtube videos and a lot of them are about flash. Have found them really useful.

I am pretty new to flash myself so someone more experienced may have better advice.
 
Thanks :)
I'll have a look.
(I presume that's what they're called that you stick on top of the camera :flashguns).
 
The biggest advantage (that you can see) is the ability to bounce the light off a ceiling. Bounced flash is the best thing ever and makes indoor shots look infinitely better.

If you want creativity, then fitting a snoot and having it point at your subject from a different direction is super easy, and super effective.

Other advantages - that are not immediately obvious - are that it will recharge itself quicker, give out more power (good for if you want fill-flash in bright sunlight), and won't drain your cameras battery.

(If you're going to Google/YouTube tutorials, search using the terms I've underlined).
 
ab2012 said:
Thanks :)
I'll have a look.
(I presume that's what they're called that you stick on top of the camera :flashguns).
Click to expand...

Yeah, flashgun or speedlite.

Canon do the 430EX (I recently got one of these 2nd hand - around £100), the 430EX II, 580EX (the 580 is/was the top of the range gun but I think a new and incredibly expensive replacement has just been released).

You can get third party ones by Yongnuo amongst other makes. It depends what you want to do. If you wanted a manual flash just to mess around and experiment with then you could certainly pick one up for < £50.
 
Bounce interests me and having the flashgun off the camera.Sounds a whole new world of creativity, but one which needs a lot of knowledge.
 
I am in a similar position to you, except a little further down the path.

Just recently I got the Canon 430EX Speedlite. I chose this because I can use it on camera with TTL but also in full manual when off camera.

I then purchased some Yongnuo RF-603s to trigger the flash for off camera use, and have a few bits coming at the moment like a light stand and shoot through brolly to experiment with.

I have found the Strobist blog and videos on youtube such as Dom Bowers to be very useful. There is a lot of stuff to learn/read but don't let that stop you picking up some kit and playing around as that is the best way in my opinion.

As I say if you went full manual to start with to see if it is something you want to get in to then you could pick up a Yongnuo flashgun for probably around £30 second hand.
 
lets not forget an off camera flash is great for those Macro shot too

Les :thumbs:
 
ab2012 said:
Bounce interests me and having the flashgun off the camera.Sounds a whole new world of creativity, but one which needs a lot of knowledge.
Click to expand...

No, no, no. You're worrying yourself away from them.

Bounce flash is easy. Tilt the front of the camera at the ceiling. As cameras and flashes are clever, they'll make any exposure adjustments for you. The light will bounce off the ceiling, spread out and look a lot more natural.

Off camera? Point the flash at an object from an angle other than from where the camera is. If you like the results, then use that angle again. If you don't like the results, try a different angle.
The snoot I mention is a tube (have a look on YouTube for tutorials on how to make them out of cardboard, drinks holders, etc..) that keeps the light focussed in one spot. If you like the effect it has, use it again. If you don't, stick it on some string and tease the cat with it.

Once you've had a play with these ideas, and your brain has go an understanding of what they do, and what effect they have, any further learning becomes a lot easier.

In the meantime, just experiment.
 
Having in your pocket set to strobe when walking back from a night shoot. Blinds would be attackers at 20 feet
 
ab2012 said:
Bounce interests me and having the flashgun off the camera.Sounds a whole new world of creativity, but one which needs a bit of imagination.
Click to expand...

Fixed that for you :thumbs: Just have a play and see what you can do pointing it in different directions.

To add to the list,
*Moves the flash further off axis reducing red-eye.
*on-board as back up.
*Controll other flashes from the main flash (if featured).
*Bigger flash = more professional :p
 
Another advantage is clearance - built-in flashes sometimes can't clear large lenses so you get an area of unlit subject because the lens gets in the way. A hotshoe flash will solve this....
 
HMansfield said:
No, no, no. You're worrying yourself away from them.

Bounce flash is easy. Tilt the front of the camera at the ceiling. As cameras and flashes are clever, they'll make any exposure adjustments for you. The light will bounce off the ceiling, spread out and look a lot more natural.

Off camera? Point the flash at an object from an angle other than from where the camera is. If you like the results, then use that angle again. If you don't like the results, try a different angle.
The snoot I mention is a tube (have a look on YouTube for tutorials on how to make them out of cardboard, drinks holders, etc..) that keeps the light focussed in one spot. If you like the effect it has, use it again. If you don't, stick it on some string and tease the cat with it.

Once you've had a play with these ideas, and your brain has go an understanding of what they do, and what effect they have, any further learning becomes a lot easier.

In the meantime, just experiment.
Click to expand...
Why tilt the front of thecamera at the ceiling? Don't get that.
 
HMansfield said:
.....Off camera? Point the flash at an object from an angle other than from where the camera is.....
Click to expand...

On axis flash can work really well, especially when it's set high above the camera so don't ignore shooting from underneath a raised flash.

But the advice about moving the light until you get the angle you like is sound. Modifiers can have a big impact on how you use the light - bare flash can create some great shadows or act as a great kicker (among other things) and using modifiers like soft boxes and beauty dishes can really create some exciting results.

Like Alan, I don't get the bit about tilting the camera though....
 
Phil789 said:
He must of meant the flash head surely :shrug:
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Oops, well spotted. :bonk:

Yes, tilt the head of the flash so that it points at the ceiling. If you point the camera at the ceiling, you'll just end up with pictures of the ceiling.
 
Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Book 2 has a good chapter on Flashguns. I have never yet used a flashgun but this chapter tempted me and would be one of the 1st places I'd go back to in learning to use it.
Worth getting the book anyway I reckon. Ideal for reading in the "littlest room" and packed full of good stuff.
 
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