Flash gun

[Alan]

Hi Team

I took some photos this afternoon of grandson and I am most disappointed with the results. The flash did not fire every time, this is not the fault of the flash gun it just that it carnet recycle itself very rapidly. So any idea what flash gun I should put in my letter to Santa ?

Been looking at the Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flashgun with a recycle time of approximately 3 sec

Any other ideas or recommendations will be most welcomed.

Present flash gun 2 x Jessops 360AFDC, Camera Canon 650D

Alan

[geodar]

Hi Alan,

I use a Nissin speedlite Di622, cheaper than the canon, however i was thinking of getting another one and have noticed that the price has gone up quite a bit over the last couple of years.

It has ttl, 6 power levels and can act as a slave flash.

I bought a Nissin hotshose connector from 7dayshop.

i have not had any problems with it, but does take longer to charge when the batteries are running low. I use rechargable when doing indoor/table top shots but always carry 2x4 duracels when doing weddings etc.

geoff

[Alan]

Geoff

Thanks for the info, any idea what the recycling time is. I would like it to be shorter than the Jessops.

[Guest DaveW]

Depends what power the flashes are you need? The more powerful the flash the slower it will recycle since the capacitor has been emptied. On lower power settings only part of the capacitors charge is used so recycling will be quicker. Therefore it depends on how far away your subject is and how wide an aperture you use is if using TTL flash metering, or with manual flash. For quick recycling higher power flash separate battery packs are often used with more expensive professional type flashguns, but I don't think you want to pay that sort of money?

You pay for fast recycling at full power with heat. Most flash guns will not sustain full power quick bursts for too long without needing time to cool down. Flashes that strobe quickly for longer periods do it usually on lower power settimngs:-

http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/new-nizn-batteries-offer-lightning-fast.html

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/flash-recycle-rate.html

DaveW

[Alan]

Thank you to both of you for looking into my dilemma.

I have sent a letter to Santa asking him for Nissin Di866 Mk11

[Guest DaveW]

As you see from your link, recycle time varies from one tenth of a second to five and a half seconds depending on the power of the flash (= how much of the capacitor is emptied for the flash each time):-

"Recycle Time : 0.1-5.5 sec. (Alkaline, NiMH)"

The recycle time will depend on the power of the flash needed for the exposure, which varies according to ISO and aperture set, plus distance to the subject.

DaveW

[geodar]

just what i was going to say

geoff