Thruhiseyes

I have a class reunion coming up and need some imput.

Using a 7D-w L 24-105mm, 580EX & 580EXll, Sekonic 758DR

The challenge is (I need to be in the shot) it is my class reunion that I have been requested to shoot. Thus will shoot this remotely from the group. I am considering Pocket Wizards, but read that the Mini-tt1 & and the Flex TT5 have not been all that reliable from my research of others using them.

I understand that the Sekonic will fire remote to Pocket Wizards.
Would getting the Pocket Wizard lll be the better option... is another question. And understand that the strobes will go into sleep mode that using the Mini & Flex wakes them up and I think also refocuses....and without that I don't want to dart back and forth to wake them up....or is there a setting to keep them on....I seldom use speedlights...

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for setting this shot up....even opting to just get a small remote to fire the camera with available light...one one off camera flash..for filling in the eyes...tho the range I have found seems to be at best 16 feet...and I might be just a bit over that for this group....of 40-50 people...
I also have a Metz 60-4 that I don't use...but could drag it out...for more power...tho not converted to digital...tho can be used remote if these 580's don't have the reach...but they probably do...we are looking at maybe *as far away as 30-40 ft....is the farthest...tho that is a guess...depends on if I need to use the 70-200mm L 2.8 also to compress the image more.....using a vehicle in one shot as a prop also...but with wide angle will get in as close as possible without distorting....them...Ha

Any insight will help.....Radio Poppers....or what ever else you think might work better I am open to hear what any of you have to say on this...

I also understand that I may not need to use PW's as they are suppose to shoot wirelessly with in the camera menu...I set that up but for some reason the 580 EXll won't fire unless it is on the camera body...can't get it to fire off camera at all....unless I have it set wrong....open to any advise...

Also bought a 300mm f/4 IS in the mail from a dealer I have known for sometime...and I usually get quality gear from him...
...I tried a few test shots...and am hearing a noise I have never heard before in 40 years of owning camera gear...it is a noise that sounds like "glass is shifting"....is this normal....to this particular lense....also there is more motor noise...even after I press the button half way down and when I bring the camera down I hear that "odd glass clinking" noise...hard to discribe....
I just got the lense yesterday so haven't gone out to shoot with it...as yet...but concerned about this...the pictures from the test appear to be sharp...HELP if you can....



Thanks

hartmanr1

Invite a non-classmate, someone's significant other to squeeze the shutter using a cable release ! In the land of digital you can instantly check the resulting photo to see if there's a problem.

hartmanr1

AND the last time I heard glass shifting, it was in 1970 and it was the noise of a mirrored surface scraping against the insides of my non-digital camera

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

I am just an amateur and photography is for fun. I shoot a 60D with a 430 EX II. With the 60D the built in flash will function as the master and the 430 as the slave. When I set for off camera flash, the flash is set, automatically, not to sleep. I would assume the same should be true of the 580 EX II. If the flash is not triggering off camera, check your settings. Also make sure the infrared panel on the front of the flash is basically facing the camera and the master flash. The swivel feature of the 580 EX II will help you set this up.

derekmadge Loc: Waterloo, Ontario,Canada

I'm just researching flashes now so I'm no authority on them but I'm thinking: class reunion? You may want to try to soften the flash effect. A lot, depending on how long ago the class was in session.

Or else, use harsh flash on the others and make sure that a diffuser is used on any shot with you in it!
;)

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

Are you using one 580 as a master and the other as slave or are both slaves with built in flash as master. If it is the second- both 580's as slave- camera has to be set for 2 slaves. When you go to menu and where you set up for off camera flash, you will see an icon with two flashes depicted. This is the setting you want. Also the noise like a moving lens on your 300 IS - the IS feature does move the lens. Are you hearing the IS at work?

Wendy2 Loc: California

Have you tried the remote trigger for the Canon? I use that with the Cowboy Studios remote speedlite triggers. So easy to use and very inexpensive and they always fire. You slide the trigger on the hot shoe of your camera and plug in the receiver to your flash/strobe etc. I also use the Sekonic light meter to trigger the set up.

Thruhiseyes

Thanks for the imput....

Perhaps I need to give some more insight on this group I am shooting...

I don't want to rely on someone else to take the shot, it is in the back of my mind but not my choice.....at least not yet...
this might end up being a drinking and beligerance is bound to be part of the mix........and don't want to rely on someone if I don't have to...these classmates....are difficult enough...so for me this is a "take charge situation...and to give it over...to someone...else...I can't explain they don't tend to take direction unless there is a *take charge person.....and who ever is behind the camera will probably go through some abuse...I don't want that frustration....of handing it over...It could be more of a pain...for them...and thus...end result for me having to retouch later...cause the shots were missed...or eyes shut...and on and on...so ....Putting that idea aside...for now....
might not have any other choice....if I can't come up with a remote system...

My idea is to set up the shot....step into the side on the end shoot shoot....then re access the shot and a couple more and we are done...easy enough...

HERE is WHAT I NEED to KNOW...is there a remote that will fire past 16 Ft...I will set everyone up for the shot have the camera set up....and ready....then I will step into the end of the standing row...will have 4 standing rows in teared up and one row sitting....
First....what can I get that will fire remotely to the canon farther than 16 feet...I know Pocket Wizards do the trick but not sure if I want to add another several hundred moula that they cost to shoot this...
something I can hold in my hand...step in to get the shot then look at the group again to see that everyone is still where they should be and do it again.....

I have shot quite a few weddings in my younger day....but never used PW's and used one light in the past either a norman or Metz which back then was enough power to do the job....with these Speedlights I am not sure on their range....but my assumptions they should do the job.

BillH- I would like to use them both slaved and use the built in on the 7D as the commander...when I tried that the 580EXLL wouldn't fire...
When you go into the menu on the flash exposure setting it says...
this is the setup on wireless function.
Under Built-in Flash Func Settings
Flash mode e-TTL ll
Shutter Sync. 1st Curtain
E-TTL ll Evaluative
Wireless Func flash head : flash head
Channel 1 Channel

Then when you open up to the wireless function it has the options of
the *flash head image: *flashhead image
the second option is one flash head
then the 3rd option is *flashhead+flashhead

Then below that it gets into firing groups...but isn't that if you have different channels set...like A, B, C & D..?

When I look at the 580 EX ll there is no wording that says slave tho the 580EX does have that setting....is there some other wording...I see Radio..but even trying to adjust for that setting I can't get it to fire...and will only fire when attached as the Master to the camera.....

Hope that helps....clarify where I am in this......Adventure...grin

Thruhiseyes

Wendy...that sounds pretty good...what are the name of these?
and what is the distance range that you'd get on these guys...
how many do I need... so my Sekonic 758 fire these guys...
Sounds good so far...thanks....

Wendy2 Loc: California

Here is the link to the same ones I have. http://www.cowboystudio.com/product_p/npt-04+extra%20receiver.htm

Says it will fire up to 30m, which is more than enough for your needs. I had to get additional connectors for my strobes, but you may not have to do that with your flashes. If you can trigger your camera with the Sekonic, and I believe you can, it should trigger the whole set up, as long as you set up the Sekonic on the proper setting (flash).

This set comes with 2 receivers. If you have more than 2 flashes, you can order additional receivers.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Or a remote release or shutter delay.

hartmanr1

Don't be nervous. As you described them, your group sounds like a typical Class Reunion crowd, not the alumnai of San Quentin

Thruhiseyes

Ha Ha....we might have a few x-con in the group....for sure we know of one that is still behind bars....and thought to send him an invitation....but doubt they would release him for this event....the prison time for tooooo many DUI's and to have to do prison time ...in Montana on a DUI that is a lot of tickets to earn your way to prison time....

Nope not nervous at all just know they might be a bit insane....grin

gabysdad Loc: Livonia Mi USA

The problem should not be the lighting so much as the grouping. Set up the camera on a tripod, check the exposure, WB, focus etc. and have someone like a spouse or waitstaf push the button. You will want to take at least half a dozen shots, memory is cheap! As for grouping, you can have some sitting on chairs, some on the floor if front of them, standing behind the chairs, and standing on chairs behind them. Compress them. Turn the chairs backwards (back of chair closest to the camera). Using auxillary lights? Tip the lights to the farthest group so you don't burn out the front row and good luck

JacLee Loc: Chico CA

pg. 1: Thrushiseyes, I can not give you any advice about camera but have a few thought to toss your way.
I and another classmate put on our 60th HS Reunion in 2010. Happy to report it was a huge success. Our classmates are asking for another in 5 years. Are you in charge of the reunion. If so and you want I will toss out a few thoughts for you.
Good Luck!!