This may need to go in lighting, but since I 've seen a few questions raised about on-camera flash solutions for the DF, including one by myself, I thought I'd post here.
I was looking for an on-camera flash solution for the DF for some time. I also posted here regarding this, and there was not much info available. I played with manual mode on my 580EXII, but that did not cut it in terms of power or consistency.
The two likely solutions were the Quantum and Metz flashes. Both seemed to have some quirky issues with TTL on the Mamiya/Phase bodies.
I also emailed Quantum for info on their TTL adapters and got nothing back in over a week.
I figured TTL was a bust so started looking at other options as well. My main criteria were a) quick & dirty on camera; b) as much power as I could get; c) weight.
I was pretty much set on the Quantum T5dR when I bumped in to the Elinchrom Quadra. Now, these are not meant to be on-camera, but rather a VERY portable 2 light system with battery. The heads weigh about 250grams (2/3 lbs) and the battery about 2.5Kg (5.5lbs), so comparable to the quantum X5dR. The Quadras also come with built in wireless triggering and a wireless transmitter for the camera.
Three major points for me with the Quadras were weight (especially the heads), power (400ws ratio-ed 2:1), and the ability to use off-camera as a solid two light setup. The Quadras also integrated very nicely with my existing 600RX and wireless kit I already use.
My only issue now was getting this on the camera and building some kind of usable diffusion. I solved the first issue with a Kirk Action grip, and the second by buying an extra reflector, cutting out the bayonet mount and fixing a Gary Fong Tupperware container to it. Having bayonet mount on means I can pop it off quickly and go to more invoved 2 light, off-camera setup quite quickly.
The setup again, is quick & dirty, but the lighting is quite even, better projected than my 580II, and very consistent.
I know, not pretty, but it works for me, and if it helps any of you looking for an on-camera flash solution with some power , even better.
Couple of pics of the setup below, and in keeping with the spirit of "quick & dirty", a quick snap of my son.
I was looking for an on-camera flash solution for the DF for some time. I also posted here regarding this, and there was not much info available. I played with manual mode on my 580EXII, but that did not cut it in terms of power or consistency.
The two likely solutions were the Quantum and Metz flashes. Both seemed to have some quirky issues with TTL on the Mamiya/Phase bodies.
I also emailed Quantum for info on their TTL adapters and got nothing back in over a week.
I figured TTL was a bust so started looking at other options as well. My main criteria were a) quick & dirty on camera; b) as much power as I could get; c) weight.
I was pretty much set on the Quantum T5dR when I bumped in to the Elinchrom Quadra. Now, these are not meant to be on-camera, but rather a VERY portable 2 light system with battery. The heads weigh about 250grams (2/3 lbs) and the battery about 2.5Kg (5.5lbs), so comparable to the quantum X5dR. The Quadras also come with built in wireless triggering and a wireless transmitter for the camera.
Three major points for me with the Quadras were weight (especially the heads), power (400ws ratio-ed 2:1), and the ability to use off-camera as a solid two light setup. The Quadras also integrated very nicely with my existing 600RX and wireless kit I already use.
My only issue now was getting this on the camera and building some kind of usable diffusion. I solved the first issue with a Kirk Action grip, and the second by buying an extra reflector, cutting out the bayonet mount and fixing a Gary Fong Tupperware container to it. Having bayonet mount on means I can pop it off quickly and go to more invoved 2 light, off-camera setup quite quickly.
The setup again, is quick & dirty, but the lighting is quite even, better projected than my 580II, and very consistent.
I know, not pretty, but it works for me, and if it helps any of you looking for an on-camera flash solution with some power , even better.
Couple of pics of the setup below, and in keeping with the spirit of "quick & dirty", a quick snap of my son.