Speedlite Question

[inkista]

Originally Posted by bhursey

I think the lack of the locking hot shoe is a big big deal personally..

Well, you shoot Cactus. To me, the V5's size increase and not being useful as a shutter trigger is a big deal, personally.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by inkista

Well, you shoot Cactus. To me, the V5's size increase and not being useful as a shutter trigger is a big deal, personally.

How is it not useful as a shutter trigger? Its designed to be also used as a shutter trigger. It auto focuses, fires the shutter and has bulb mode.. I all tested it yesterday.. You have to by a I think 6 dollar cable but the only reason they have that is so they did not have to have dedicated vendor packages.. The rf-602 is a good trigger and I have herd good things about the rf-603... Just when it comes to the transceiver design if your gonna have the flash also on camera a lock down is a must when shooting.. I just have been using the v5 for now 4 weeks and love it. The size really is not to bad...

BTW cactus announced the v5's price:
Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V5 Duo
Retail price: USD 59.95

Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V5 Single
Retail price: USD 34.95

I also made a video showing how strong the lockdown on the v5 is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeLqdUPHe-U


However a big + on the RF-603 is the ttl passthrough so if your using say just canon or nikon flashes that is nice. I don't have enough money for all canon flashes so I just have 1 then the rest just trigger via center pin.

[Michael_2010]

Hmmmmmm.......... I think I am going to get a couple of flashlights and some EverReady batteries.

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

Hmmmmmm.......... I think I am going to get a couple of flashlights and some EverReady batteries.

LOL hope you have a tripod and your subject is not moving..

[jml79]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

Hmmmmmm.......... I think I am going to get a couple of flashlights and some EverReady batteries.

LOL.. I feel your pain. I think the right answer is to learn about your options, discuss them and then just decide what will work best for you and live with it. I just bought a set of Ebay 180ws studio lights instead of speedlights but I have my own situation and personal reasons for it (I don't want to invest in more Sony right now and shipping & customs from the US made LP160's very expensive.) I am planning to shoot groups of people. I am happy with them for my situation but I also read and read and read and understand all of the pro's and con's. I expect them to become background lights if they last long enough for me to get better main lights. If not they are 60-100 to replace the light.

My next lighting purchase will likely be a pair of YN-460-II and some acessories again because it's easier to buy stuff from Hong Kong for me than the US. I know there is better out there but not for me right now.

[Michael_2010]

I know I would probably be very happy with a good speedlight, because of its portability and power. I mainly want the ability to light objects from various angles which the in-camera flash can't do. But....... I'm not sure I want to cough up that kind of money for a 580EX, when something cheaper might be all I need.

Just something else to think long and hard about.........

[bhursey]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

I know I would probably be very happy with a good speedlight, because of its portability and power. I mainly want the ability to light objects from various angles which the in-camera flash can't do. But....... I'm not sure I want to cough up that kind of money for a 580EX, when something cheaper might be all I need.

Just something else to think long and hard about.........

Good on camera flash would be the 430EXII or the 580EXII I only use on camera for events..

Off camera flash most people do manual power. So your options are very flexible.. I would suggest a used SB-24, SB-26, SB-28 80-120$ they are tanks and my SB-24 is almost as powerful as my 580EXII.. And it survived a 4 foot fall onto a conreate floor when a large camera flash bracket swung lose and flung it to the floor. There are the YN flashes but they have been known to have build issues. Then you have flashes like the LP-120 and LP-160 which have a wonderful build quality and have a full 2 year warranty on them..

[napturalmystic]

I understand how you are feeling Michael2010. was going to go the Canon route get a 580 and the St-E2, 2 stands and umbrellas but after looking at the cost which came to about 900 USD I had to say no way!

After reading this thread and doing more research I decided to go with the Calumet litelinks radio transmitters for 220 USD 1 stand 1 umbrella 1 reflector and pc cords hotshoe adapters. Grand total under 400 USD. When I get another speedlite it will not be a Canon. Canon makes a great product but there are comparable products out there for much less.

Keep looking around and decide what is best for you.