Help, help! Equipment durability question.
Oct 29, 2015 15:46:25 #
I am a portrait/lifestyle guy.
I have an opportunity to shoot a corporate event, a movie premiere of the upcoming 007 movie before it releases.
Its a step and repeat scenrio, shooting guests outside the theatre as they arrive. I would be using two softboxes on stands for lighting.
My lights are two Canon 580 EX II speedlights, and I am afraid they will not be up to the pace of the shooting.
I would imagine that during the peak I would be firing every 20 or 40 seconds, for maybe 20-30-40 minutes. The shoot would last 1.5 hours or less, and I am confident the speedlites can handle shooting every 60-90 seconds during the off peak.
Please, I don't need opinions, my opinion is already that my gear is not suited for this work, but I don't want to turn it down.
Does anyone have experience/knowledge on this?
I have an opportunity to shoot a corporate event, a movie premiere of the upcoming 007 movie before it releases.
Its a step and repeat scenrio, shooting guests outside the theatre as they arrive. I would be using two softboxes on stands for lighting.
My lights are two Canon 580 EX II speedlights, and I am afraid they will not be up to the pace of the shooting.
I would imagine that during the peak I would be firing every 20 or 40 seconds, for maybe 20-30-40 minutes. The shoot would last 1.5 hours or less, and I am confident the speedlites can handle shooting every 60-90 seconds during the off peak.
Please, I don't need opinions, my opinion is already that my gear is not suited for this work, but I don't want to turn it down.
Does anyone have experience/knowledge on this?
Oct 29, 2015 16:06:26 #
Maybe monolights instead. They are certainly more expensive and I would not advise getting them if this is the only event you would use them. But there is no recovery time and you would be able to adjust the intensity of the light.
Oct 29, 2015 16:08:25 #
Wendy2 wrote:
Maybe monolights instead. They are certainly more expensive and I would not advise getting them if this is the only event you would use them. But there is no recovery time and you would be able to adjust the intensity of the light.
Thanks! Looking into renting a pair, but then I gotta learn to use them, and the cost is on me.
Oct 29, 2015 16:19:41 #
Me I would treat this as a fashion/celebrity event. You said outside...are they arriving in a car/limo or walking up and hitting a spot for a pose?
Oct 29, 2015 16:25:25 #
In the meantime, what about setting up with an Intervalometer and doing some tests with 15-20 second runs to see if your flashes will overheat and shut down?
You might find they will work fine. ;)
Having back ups would be a good idea though. Maybe rent some, then use yours as your back-ups?
You might find they will work fine. ;)
Having back ups would be a good idea though. Maybe rent some, then use yours as your back-ups?
Oct 29, 2015 16:26:58 #
mwalsh wrote:
Thanks! Looking into renting a pair, but then I gotta learn to use them, and the cost is on me.
They are not that hard to use. I know you can do it!
Oct 29, 2015 16:31:28 #
Bret wrote:
Me I would treat this as a fashion/celebrity event. You said outside...are they arriving in a car/limo or walking up and hitting a spot for a pose?
My understanding is exactly that. The corporate sponsor is creating a red carpet type event for their biggest clients.
Oct 29, 2015 16:43:12 #
mwalsh wrote:
I would be firing every 20 or 40 seconds, for maybe 20-30-40 minutes. The shoot would last 1.5 hours or less...
I do just that quite a bit with that speedlite without problems. Still, it is not in a critical situation such as the one you are facing.
Mike
Oct 29, 2015 16:57:30 #
mwalsh wrote:
Thanks! Looking into renting a pair, but then I gotta learn to use them, and the cost is on me.
If it is outside you may have to have a power pack as well for the monolights.
Oct 29, 2015 17:24:14 #
From KEH I bought a used Quantum Turbo 2x2 Battery and then got the connector specific to my 580s. Recycle time is immediate, the pack hangs on a sling over my should inside or outside a sports coat and I never run out of battery. Probably too late for your event to consider, but I think it's a must for any event with flash.
The 580 EX II recycles fast, certainly within 20 secs. Have a large box of batteries handy and anytime the cycle seems even slightly slow, swap out all four.
The 580 EX II recycles fast, certainly within 20 secs. Have a large box of batteries handy and anytime the cycle seems even slightly slow, swap out all four.
Oct 29, 2015 17:28:38 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
From KEH I bought a used Quantum Turbo 2x2 Battery and then got the connector specific to my 580s. Recycle time is immediate, the pack hangs on a sling over my should inside or outside a sports coat and I never run out of battery. Probably too late for your event to consider, but I think it's a must for any event with flash.
The 580 EX II recycles fast, certainly within 20 secs. Have a large box of batteries handy and anytime the cycle seems even slightly slow, swap out all four.
The 580 EX II recycles fast, certainly within 20 secs. Have a large box of batteries handy and anytime the cycle seems even slightly slow, swap out all four.
There we go. :thumbup:
Mike
Oct 29, 2015 17:38:45 #
mwalsh wrote:
I am a portrait/lifestyle guy. br br I have an op... (show quote)
It seems to me that you are way overthinking this thing. I use my 600 and shoot it WAY faster than that for hours and it's never melted down or quit. What are you afraid the 580 won't do?
Just carry a fresh set of batteries for each light. As soon as it doesn't cycle as fast as you'd like, throw the batts in. You should get at least 200-300 fast cycles on a set of fresh eneloops or similar. I wouldn't even waste my time on a battery pack. Invest instead in multiple sets of rechargeables. Unless you're going to fire at full power from 50 feet all night.
Anyway, it sounds simple enough to me!!! Good luck. ;-)
SS
Oct 29, 2015 17:39:21 #
Yes with mono lights your going to have to find AC power outlets and cords or battery packs like Wendy has said.
Also your light stands...plan on them getting leaned on...knocked over...kicked and all that. Your flash's mite be just enough...but you mite want to get battery packs for them as well. Your gonna need big light...area wise....so forget the soft box's unless they are going to pose for you.
Also your light stands...plan on them getting leaned on...knocked over...kicked and all that. Your flash's mite be just enough...but you mite want to get battery packs for them as well. Your gonna need big light...area wise....so forget the soft box's unless they are going to pose for you.
Oct 29, 2015 17:52:02 #
Have you thought about picking up like 2 more speed lights to use? I use the 580II but also have 3 of the Yungnuo 560III which are very similar and a lot less costly --- about $70/each. They are manual flashes but they have other models for around $120 that are ETTL compatible. You can find them on Amazon, B&H, etc. Just a thought.
Oct 29, 2015 18:05:01 #
You're lucky ...... been there, done that, and it still works. Buy a Canon cp-e4 battery pack, and ask for express delivery. Standard price is around $179.00. It uses 8 AA batteries which can be swapped out for fresh batteris in less than a minute. I use rechargeable batteries, but they're usually good for 2 hours of more or less constant shooting .... I was shooting a Debtante Ball, 10 debs, 20 poses apiece, and still had plenty of flash left over. It will fit your 580 (that's the flash unit I was using).
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.