Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

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xterra07
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p.1 #1 · Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

I tried using Canon 580 EX II and 600 EX on 1d4/1dx but even at 1/4 power only there are 4 seconds to recycle power, even when using Quantum SC charger. Here are my questions:
1) Would using Quantum Turbo 3 vs SC make a difference for recycle time?
2) Would using Quantum Trio + Quantum Turbo 3 make a big difference from Canon 600 EX?
3) Can I get several shots per second at 1/4 power or 1/2 or full power with...... any kind of shoe mounted light?

I guess there is the question of how many shots too. and how much power is needed.... well at midday using full power of 580 EX II can make a difference, because of the focal length and distance from subject..... ISO 100, 135mm, 12 feet, 15 feet

And how many shots? that could be budgeted more, there are just some bursts needed at times when action is ideal (an alignment of colors, athletes, background, so I want those 3 shots per second with as much flash power as I can get)

Your input will go a long way.... these are the kind of questions that cost a lot to learn from one's missed shots and time going by....

And yes I could give up TTL if needed, but sometimes action happens so fast and distance to subject varies, so TTL would be nice.

Thanks for your input.
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Nov 11, 2012 at 04:01 AM

BrianO
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p.1 #2 · Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

xterra07 wrote: I tried using Canon 580 EX II and 600 EX on 1d4/1dx but even at 1/4 power only there are 4 seconds to recycle power, even when using Quantum SC charger.

That seems pretty slow. Are you using NiMH. Alkaline cells, or other in the Speedlite? Do you have the Custom Function set to use only the external pack for charging?

Nov 11, 2012 at 05:35 AM

xterra07
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p.1 #3 · Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

I was using Alkalines, since my rechargeables from the past wouldn't hold enough charge long enough and only get worse quickly with age -- but from my reading just after this post, I will give Enelopes a try.
I was using the default Internal+External battery source, I now switched it to External Only, but my above questions remain about

1) Turbo SC vs Turbo 3 recharge speed
2) Trio + Turbo 3 recharge comparison vs Canon 600 EX + Turbo 3
3) fastest recharge option for a shoe-mount setup, allowing for some burst of several shots per second and near full power (or even 1/4 or 1/8 power but several times a second)

Nov 11, 2012 at 04:16 PM

ukphotographer
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p.1 #4 · Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

xterra07 wrote:
And yes I could give up TTL if needed, but sometimes action happens so fast and distance to subject varies, so TTL would be nice.

Thanks for your input.

I don't think any of your options are viable.

I shoot with a 400Ws Quantum pack at 1/4 power or TTL which, at 1/4 power allows 3 or sometimes more images in short succession relying on the residual charge in the pack. Often, the 400Ws will be off camera and I'd use a Trio or another controller on camera.

As far as I'm concerned - thats the best way. Or, be more selective in what you shoot.

Nov 11, 2012 at 05:35 PM

BrianO
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p.1 #5 · Action triathlons/moutain bike shoe mount flash fast recycle

xterra07 wrote: I was using Alkalines...I will give Enelopes a try.
I was using the default Internal+External battery source, I now switched it to External Only

Both of those should give you a little bit faster recycling, although it may not be a major boost.

Also, ETTL often allows faster recycling than Manual, because it quenches the flash after just enough, but not too much, of the charge is released.

I regularly can get 1 to 1.5 second recycling from my 580EX II, but "several times per second" may not be doable with shoe-mount flashes, especially outdoors where more power is needed. Going to something like a Ranger Quadra, where you can shoot the same exposure using a fraction of its power may be required.

Nov 11, 2012 at 08:59 PM

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