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John_Nevill
April 13th, 2007, 06:24 AM
I was shooting gorillas at the weekend and used a 580EX/Stofen (~1.3 stop under) to fill in their deep brows.

Unfortunately the flash struggled to recycle quick enough so every other image was a dud, even though I wasn't shooting at more than 1-2fps at distance of 10m max.

So what's the best recycle time I could achieve with a remote battery pack? Are there any recommendations (canon or 3rd party)?. Does anyone use them?

Klaus Esser
April 13th, 2007, 09:02 AM
I was shooting gorillas at the weekend and used a 580EX/Stofen (~1.3 stop under) to fill in their deep brows.

Unfortunately the flash struggled to recycle quick enough so every other image was a dud, even though I wasn't shooting at more than 1-2fps at distance of 10m max.

So what's the best recycle time I could achieve with a remote battery pack? Are there any recommendations (canon or 3rd party)?. Does anyone use them?

Hi John!

The best devives i know as battery/accu come from Quantum. Adaptable to most of the brands, reliable, strong and fast. And a bit expensive . . . but really the best choice!

http://www.qtm.com/?res_set=yes&res=1280&resh=1024
http://www.qtm.com/QuantumBatteries/?res_set=yes&res=1280&resh=1024

best, Klaus

John_Nevill
April 13th, 2007, 12:34 PM
Thanks Klaus,

I've had a good look through their range and to get the recycle time down to ~1-2 sec i'll have to think about a Turbo series, although a tad expensive at £370

I have also found a Canon transistor pack E with Ni-Cad for ~£80, although i'm not sure if they work with the 580EX, also dont know what effect they have on recycle times.

Asher Kelman
April 14th, 2007, 06:27 PM
Has anyone used Pocket Wizards to alternate between different Canon Speedlights? I have wondered about this.

asher

Kathy Rappaport
April 14th, 2007, 07:12 PM
You just have to set the speedlights to different channels and then before you shoot change the channel on the pocket wizard...

Asher Kelman
April 14th, 2007, 10:41 PM
I heard that one could have the PW cycle automatically between several speedlights but I was wondering if this is so.

Asher

Kathy Rappaport
April 15th, 2007, 12:38 AM
Asher,

I could test it if you can wait a few days for the results. I am buried in tax work this upcoming week and then I can wear more photographer's hat. Maybe by then, I will have my studio light missing pieces from B&H.

Klaus Esser
April 15th, 2007, 07:07 AM
Has anyone used Pocket Wizards to alternate between different Canon Speedlights? I have wondered about this.

asher

"Pocket Wizards"? Is that the title of an unknown Harry Potter plot? Or something slippery? :-)

best, Klaus

Frank Doorhof
May 4th, 2007, 08:54 AM
I use the Quantum but if I had to buy again I would buy the digital camera battery.
I hate the slot in method of the batteries on the 580EX.

Kathy Rappaport
May 4th, 2007, 09:34 AM
Klaus

I see no one answered your questions! Pocket Wizards are remote flash triggers and they seem to be one of the preffered was to use flash/strobe lighting since they operate over longer distances and they are being built into many kinds of equipment as well.

Klaus Esser
May 4th, 2007, 11:59 AM
Klaus

I see no one answered your questions! Pocket Wizards are remote flash triggers and they seem to be one of the preffered was to use flash/strobe lighting since they operate over longer distances and they are being built into many kinds of equipment as well.

Hi Kathy!

Thanks - i learned something new :-) . I use radio- or infrared-devices to trigger. Or a long cable . . :-)

best, Klaus