Basic studio lighting setup

[koffiejunkie]

As a remote flash my sigma is better than either of my canons because it functions as an optical slave with only a couple button presses.

Aah, you've figured out the combination

I didn't know the Canon 580EX II can't do that?

 

[bwana]

Aah, you've figured out the combination

I didn't know the Canon 580EX II can't do that?

Yeah, I just had to rtm.

I'm not 100% sure about the 580, I'm only getting mine back from repairs today or tomorrow.

 

[bwana]

Yeah, I just had to rtm.

I'm not 100% sure about the 580, I'm only getting mine back from repairs today or tomorrow.

Well now I am . . . and it can't so I guess a optical trigger is needed. Do any retailers in SA sell them?

 

[undesign]

Which triggers do you have? Have you used the 270EX with them? I have the optical (bubble type) ones, and the 270EX needs to be turned off and on again between shots - it doesn't trigger a second time otherwise.

I've done a bit of research and that seems to be an issue with all flashes, not just the 270EX. Tested it on my 430EX yesterday - exactly the same problem. That really rules out optical triggers for me.

Will have to invest in another set of Yonghuo triggers...

 

[koffiejunkie]

That's odd. I don't recall seeing it on the Sigma 530 DG Super, the Canon 580EX II or my old Vivitar Thyristor. I might be wrong about the Canon though - I'll check tonight.

 

[undesign]

That's odd. I don't recall seeing it on the Sigma 530 DG Super, the Canon 580EX II or my old Vivitar Thyristor. I might be wrong about the Canon though - I'll check tonight.

Sorry, I should've said "many" flashes, not "all". Definitely a widespread phenomenon.

 

[bwana]

Well now I am . . . and it can't so I guess a optical trigger is needed. Do any retailers in SA sell them?

Turns out I didn't need an optical trigger. Now that I have my 580 II back I can use that on the remote trigger to fire the other two in their respective wireless modes. Nice having 3 relatively powerful flashes to play with.

Only problem is I've just noticed a wisp of smoke coming from the sigma.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Only problem is I've just noticed a wisp of smoke coming from the sigma.

Turns out I have a mint one for sale

An electronic engineer friend of mine used to joke: all electronic devices work with smoke. If the smoke leaks out, it doesn't work any more...

 

[bwana]

Turns out I have a mint one for sale

An electronic engineer friend of mine used to joke: all electronic devices work with smoke. If the smoke leaks out, it doesn't work any more...

Why?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Why?

That thing about the firmware upgrade.

 

[bwana]

That thing about the firmware upgrade.

Save it and use it off camera as a remote. Sigmas play nicely with everyone.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but in case I didn't, the problem is that since the firmware update, it doesn't give me consistent output. Even with the flash on a sync chord and in manual mode, shot after shot I get variation in exposure that's too wide to fix in Aperture. I noticed this while I was doing MFA shots with a focus chart - camera on a tripod, in manual, flash on a tripod, manual mode, sync cord - nothing moves, nothing changes, but the exposure is all over the place.

I'm going to send the Sigma back to Sigma again - maybe they've figured it out by now. Last time I checked, I had the newest firmware on it.

 

[bwana]

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but in case I didn't, the problem is that since the firmware update, it doesn't give me consistent output. Even with the flash on a sync chord and in manual mode, shot after shot I get variation in exposure that's too wide to fix in Aperture. I noticed this while I was doing MFA shots with a focus chart - camera on a tripod, in manual, flash on a tripod, manual mode, sync cord - nothing moves, nothing changes, but the exposure is all over the place.

I'm going to send the Sigma back to Sigma again - maybe they've figured it out by now. Last time I checked, I had the newest firmware on it.

What kind of sync cord are you using? I don't know much about your flash but if it's one of those hot shoe ones then how is it any different than keeping it on the hot shoe? Have you tried putting it into optical slave mode?