PT-04 eBay triggers and pre flash?

[rgrebby]

with a decent flash like a Canon 420 or 430 if I use the ebay triggers will I be able to have a pre flash?

 

[Flash In The Pan]

No, you only get manual with the ebay triggers, you'd need to be using ttl to get pre-flashes

 

[rgrebby]

thanks

Any tips to getting focus when its dark, other than shining a torch on the subject?

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Nope....I've been pondering the same thing, so I'm going to buy myself a small torch and try that, although I get the feeling it will be a bit of a juggle with something like a 70-200 on the camera...

 

[Rob.Marsh]

Intereting thought with regards to focusing in the dark. If your using a tripod, how about using bungees to strap a torch to the forward leg?

 

[rgrebby]

Intereting thought with regards to focusing in the dark. If your using a tripod, how about using bungees to strap a torch to the forward leg?

ive used a little LED torch before, if im working in flash with manual settings the cameras mettering doesnt seem needed.

 

[Rob.Marsh]

Another thought I have just had, I have a camping lantern that can be switched on by remote, its pretty bright.
I reckon it could be placed just out of shot, turn it on via remote to focuse, then off for the shot itself. All without having to move from the camera. It has a fange of about 20-30 meters so could well work. Ill have to try it sometime!

 

[33L]

generally you dont need a pwerful light to focus with in my attick conversion i use a well placed desk lamp to help with focusing, the flashes give mnore light and never had a problem with the colour casts.

 

[BigLoada]

I always use a handheld LED torch when doing night photography to get the focus first, then just switch it off and take photo as normal. Its simple and saves faffing about.

 

[GrantT]

how about a lazer pointer on the subject? One of my Urban Exploration pals has one mounted using a home made bracket onto his camera!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

how about a lazer pointer on the subject? One of my Urban Exploration pals has one mounted using a home made bracket onto his camera!

Perhaps not a good idea if you have a human subject and want to focus on their eyes :nuts:

 

[david1701]

Perhaps not a good idea if you have a human subject and want to focus on their eyes :nuts:

LOL
I shall pick up a little torch for this and strap it to something, I'd never thought of using light to fix autofocus in low light

 

[onform]

you could try turning the light on!!!

 

[purpleclouds]

Nope....I've been pondering the same thing, so I'm going to buy myself a small torch and try that, although I get the feeling it will be a bit of a juggle with something like a 70-200 on the camera...

Elastic band it onto your trigger, if it's only a pocket torch!

 

[keith.l]

The ST-E2 can be used for focus-assist. And if you're hand at DIY you could make one of these contraptions.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Elastic band it onto your trigger, if it's only a pocket torch!

Actually, I've come up with a better idea.....pics to follow

 

[rgrebby]

Actually, I've come up with a better idea.....pics to follow

oolala

 

[Barlines]

Actually, I've come up with a better idea.....pics to follow

...Just as soon as he hears back from the patent office

 

[Flash In The Pan]

...Just as soon as he hears back from the patent office

It's actually dead simple......but you had probably guessed that already, based on whose idea it was

 

[Clickawaymedia]

Personally I use a head torch, that way you have your hands free, and you can also use it to help setup tripods etc in the dark...

If positioned on your head corectly, it wont get in way of viewfinder etc either

 

[rgrebby]

Isnt there some kind of AF assist Hotshoe?

my older crappy flash has a read beam that turns on when i push my shutter to half press, if you could have a hot shoe that just did this it would work great.