I want a good HSF that can be used in a mannual mode with power settings at 16 levels. I don't want to pay for a Canon 580 EX. All I need is manual controls. Vivitar has some decent lights. What do YOU recommend?
Gunslinger wrote:
...with power settings at 16 levels.
I don't know where you would find 16 power levels in a hot-shoe flash. Most will give you 4 or 6, and a few will give you 8, but I can't recall seeing any that give 16.
For example, my Vivitar 285HV has Full, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/16 (it skips 1/8 for some reason) for 4 levels, and my Canon 580EX & EX II give Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, and 1/128 for 8 levels.
Canon 580ex has full to 1/128 in 1/3 stop adjustments. That is more than 16 levels.
I have the Yongnuo YN 560 flash. It is a manual only flash that is the same size as my Canon 580ex. It also adjusts from full power to 1/128 power in 1/3rd stop steps. That is 22 levels for those that are counting along. It has been a great flash and is almost the same power as the 580ex. There is a new II version out now with some improved features like a metal foot instead of plastic and an LCD display instead of LED indicators. The cost difference direct from Yongnuo is $60 for version 1 and $75 for version 2. You can find them for less if you look around some. They are less than $50 on Amazon for the version 1. I really like the version 1 LEDs better because they are easier to see in low light than the LCD screen.
Okay. 8levels. Who makes a flash with full manual controls and none of the other bells and whistles? Or not so many anyway? The Canon flashes are excellent, but why pay for their E-TTL multi-light system if you never plan to use it? I had a couple of Nikon lights I picked up used for about sixty dollars each. Shot them to death at wedding receptions and such. I would like to replace them with a little better light, but not $500 for a HSF.
Gunslinger wrote:
Okay. 8levels. Who makes a flash with full manual controls and none of the other bells and whistles? Or not so many anyway? The Canon flashes are excellent, but why pay for their E-TTL multi-light system if you never plan to use it? I had a couple of Nikon lights I picked up used for about sixty dollars each. Shot them to death at wedding receptions and such. I would like to replace them with a little better light, but not $500 for a HSF.
I picked few old canon 430 EZ lens from KEH for about $ 40 each to learn off camera flash, after got these flash I realized that this does not stay on after 90 sec if not used, not much useful for off camera flash, where as it was my first learning tool for manual flash/bounce flash/off camera etc., all I need to do is make sure flash is on before taking picture
I would suggest to buy old flash since you are planning to use manual flash mode. http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35mm/system-Canon-EOS/category-Shoe-Mount-Flashes?s=1&bcode=CE&ccode=21&cc=80545&r=WG&f
dedsen wrote:
Canon 580ex has full to 1/128 in 1/3 stop adjustments. That is more than 16 levels.
I guess we have different ways of counting. I have 6 steps leading from my rec room level to my living level, and 8 steps leading from there to the bedrooms. I consider my house to be a tri-level, not a 14-level.
But yes, if you count all the steps as full levels, the Canon 580EX & EXII have 22 levels.
BrianO wrote:
I guess we have different ways of counting. I have 6 steps leading from my rec room level to my living level, and 8 steps leading from there to the bedrooms. I consider my house to be a tri-level, not a 14-level.
Great apples and oranges example. Not relevant but entertaining.
dedsen wrote:
Great apples and oranges example. Not relevant but entertaining.
I believe BrianO's example is definitely apples to apples. A 1/3 stop is a level but not a full one. As he stated, it depends on how you're counting. His examples is counting as full. You can stop at the middle of your stairs (1/3 level), but what can you do there?
as already mentioned, LumoPro LP160 is a great choice, but it's discontinued now. another manual flash I use is Promaster Duolight 250, but it's a hybrid (also has LEDs), and therefore more expensive...
Manual down to 1/128 (8 steps) ... HSS, Master/Slave, E-TTL, EC/Bracketing, Stroboscopic, External battery capable, etc, etc, etc,. ... going for around $200 (+/-) ... 95% of the 580EX II GN performance (55 meters vs. 58 meters @ ISO 100, 105mm zoom head) & features, <50% of the price.
Manual, Auto, Bells & Whistles, Bargain Price ... tough to beat "last year's Cadillac" if you really think about it.
cordellwillis wrote:
I believe BrianO's example is definitely apples to apples. A 1/3 stop is a level but not a full one. As he stated, it depends on how you're counting. His examples is counting as full. You can stop at the middle of your stairs (1/3 level), but what can you do there? But what can you do there?
I'm sorry I have nothing to contribute to this thread but thank you for the laugh on this looong Friday afternoon.
The word "level" is ambiguous here. IMHO, any difference in output generates a different level (ie quantity) of light, thus the Yongnuo and Canon have 22 distinct levels of possible output. Those 22 levels are spread across 8 stops, which is an entirely separate and distinct term.
Having each level be 1/3 of a stop more or less does not make it "1/3 of a level", it simply makes it 1/3 of a stop. And while 1/3 of a stair is meaningless, 1/3 of a stop of light is most certainly nothing of the sort.
I used the Vivitars 285s before switching to Canons speedlites for the auto ability. Manual is great when subject to flash distance is constant otherwise the Ettl mode needs to be used.
There is a simple mod to give the Vivitars 285s I think up to 32 steps of light using some resisters,a rotary switch and some soldering. Look it up you faint beat the age long Vivitars. There are other useful mods out there to solve almost any problem faced. It was/is a photojournalist light because there so good.
