Need some strobe help: Need a little help with getting some info on speedlite strobe photography. I have a 430ex 2 speedlite that I have used as a single strobe with a shoot thru...

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

Need a little help with getting some info on speedlite strobe photography.

I have a 430ex 2 speedlite that I have used as a single strobe with a shoot thru umbrella and a reflective one but would like to add 1 or 2 more strobes so I could create more of a lighting effect.

I know that the 430ex can not be used as a master and would like to get the 580 but that is a little out of my price range. So if I have my information right I would need the firing triggers to control 3 flash units.

So for my question, could I get 2 of the YongNuo YN-460 Speedlight for about $38 each and a firing trigger and 3 recievers would this setup work with my Canon 50D.

Thanks for any help or comments and if in need of more information will gladly supply.

Thanks again

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

77firebird wrote:

Need a little help with getting some info on speed... (show quote)

Yes it would. You are exactly correct about what needs to be done.

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

rpavich wrote:

quote=77firebird Need a little help with getting ... (show quote)

Thanks
Now I will have to review the YN-460 flash and see if it will do what I am wanting to do,,, 38 dollars each sounds to good to be true to me for a flash unit. Then find a good trigger and reciever that will fit into my small budget.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

77firebird wrote:

Thanks
Now I will have to review the YN-460 flash and see if it will do what I am wanting to do,,, 38 dollars each sounds to good to be true to me for a flash unit. Then find a good trigger and reciever that will fit into my small budget.

They will do it...they are only manual. They actually have built in optical slave triggers but I've read that they aren't reliable so the wireless triggers are the way to go.

NOTE: One thing to keep in mind is the guide number of the flash...i.e. how powerful it is.

Even though this one is cheap....it could partially be because it's not the most powerful flash on the planet.

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

rpavich wrote:

quote=77firebird br Thanks br Now I will have t... (show quote)

Ok now you have me looking at and trying to understand GN of a flash. I did some googling and found out that the 430 has a GN of 141.1ft @ iso 100 with a lens range at 24-105 mm and the YN-460 is 108.1 @iso 100 with a lens range of 35mm. So if I am understanding this right the YN-460 will only cover 108.1 ft. 35 mm lens and the 430 will cover 141.1 ft at 35mm. If I have this all wrong could someone help me understand this more.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Here are two references for Guide Numbers:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0703/jm0703-1.html
http://www.scantips.com/lights/flashbasics1c.html

GN 141 means at 10 feet you would use f14
GN 108 means at 10 feet you would use f11

The lens focal length is meaningless.
For a GN of 141, at 141 feet you need an aperture of 1.0. The 35mm has no relevance. You do need a big bank account for that f1.0 lens, however.

Guide Number = f/stop x Distance
f/stop = Guide Number / Distance
Distance = Guide Number / f/stop

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

CaptainC wrote:

Here are two references for Guide Numbers: br http... (show quote)

Thanks Captain for the links and help in explaining of the GN a little more. I am thinking that the YN-460 might do job, now off to find some triggers and recievers.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

77firebird wrote:

quote=CaptainC Here are two references for Guide ... (show quote)

One thing I meant to add and forgot: You cannot compare GNs between or among different manufacturers. It is much like tire wear numbers. Michelin and Goodyear use their own numbers and Nikon, Canon, Metz, and all the rest use THEIR numbers. So Comparing your two units is a gross approximation at best.

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

CaptainC wrote:

quote=77firebird quote=CaptainC Here are two ref... (show quote)

So Captain if I have this right....and I want to use a 6.3 AV setting, understanding the iso @ 100 I then would take my GN which is 108 and divide it by 6.3 AV and this will tell me the distance I need to be from my subject for a good exposure. This would be 17 ft from subject if I am doing the math right.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

77firebird wrote:

quote=CaptainC quote=77firebird quote=CaptainC ... (show quote)

That is a strange way to apply it - to decide on the f-stop and then figure out how far to place the subject. More common would be to compose the image first, THEN use the actual distance to set the aperture.

I would not use Av/A or Tv/S. Use manual. If you use any auto mode the camera cannot react fast enough to set the exposure since that uses the camera meter.

Another thing. If you are going to use off-camera flash with triggers, the GN refers to flash-to-subject distance, camera-to-subject is irrelevant.
Just set a shutter speed less than sync speed, then use the guide number to determine your aperture and set it.

There is no communication between the flash and camera, so you are on your own to set everything. Just like the olden days! You are now shooting just like 1958. Now you are going to really learn photography!

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

CaptainC wrote:

77firebird wrote:

quote=CaptainC quote=77firebird quote=CaptainC ... (show quote)

That is a strange way to apply it - to decide on the f-stop and then figure out how far to place the subject. More common would be to compose the image first, THEN use the actual distance to set the aperture.

I would not use Av/A or Tv/S. Use manual. If you use any auto mode the camera cannot react fast enough to set the exposure since that uses the camera meter.

Another thing. If you are going to use off-camera flash with triggers, the GN refers to flash-to-subject distance, camera-to-subject is irrelevant.
Just set a shutter speed less than sync speed, then use the guide number to determine your aperture and set it.

There is no communication between the flash and camera, so you are on your own to set everything. Just like the olden days! You are now shooting just like 1958. Now you are going to really learn photography!

quote=77firebird quote=CaptainC quote=77firebir... (show quote)

Thanks Captain I have been reading and watching youtube and with your help I am slowly understanding this.

I am very fascinated with lighting and the effects that it can have on my photos. Where you can turn a bright sunny day into a night time atmosphere,or set the mood of your photos by just using light.

MS

Hey Captain, I m thinking to buy strobe lights for shooting the big wedding receiptipn either in Hilton or Hyatt's big ball room, guest size from 350 to 500. Can u guide me on this. I am looking to buy elinchrome. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

CaptainC wrote:

Here are two references for Guide Numbers: br http... (show quote)

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

for a few bucks more, you can get the yn-560. (under $70 at amazon.com).

i have a couple of 580ex2 and 3 of the yn560s. the 560's almost throw out as much light as the the 580ex2. i use these flashes about 4 times a week and they have never failed. the 560's are manual, and i prefer manual when using off camera flash. i usually have to make a few adjustments. my starting setting on these is at 1/4 power, take a test shot and move them up or down as needed.

like the captain says....shoot manual flash and you will learn lots!!!

Emjem Loc: Perth australia

If you go to google and type in "wireless flash trigger", you will find lots of units at very reasonable prices. Some with 2 and 3 receivers. I just ordered a 2 receiver set for $27.00

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I use YN-460s all the time and they are extremely reliable. They work well with wireless remotes; just make sure that your trigger is compatible with your camera.