S2 with multiple SF58 flashes

[zeleny]

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Has anyone combined his S2 with several wireless synchronized SF58 flash units by using its slave function? Any words of wisdom in this regard?

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[mwilliamsphotography]

Has anyone combined his S2 with several wireless synchronized SF58 flash units by using its slave function? Any words of wisdom in this regard?

 

The SF58 is no different from any other DSLR system flash in this regard. It works, but is limited.

 

While it is a noble pursuit to get the flash off the camera to provide directional lighting, using SF58 speed-lights to do it is relegated to infrared line-of-sight triggering. This is okay for relatively simple applications where the off-camera light is close to the sending unit, and works fine for simple portraits using umbrellas and such.

 

If this is all you intend ever doing, then read no further.

 

However, once bitten with what is possible using lighting with the S2 (which loves lots of light), expansion is usually inevitable.

 

Increase distances, or increase the demands for amount of light, or modification of the quality of light, and the multiple speed-light option begins to diminish in usefulness.

 

The notion of TTL multiple lighting seems worthy, but in practice you may spend more time over-riding the TTL metering with compensation for creative control than you would if simply adjusting a manual flash.

 

Increase the distance of the second light or creatively alter the placement of it where line-of-sight is obstructed, and you'll eventually need a radio sender/receiver.

 

Need more light and/or a higher quality of light, and you'll eventually move to a real strobe. For example a typical high-end speed-light like the SF58 maxes out at about 80 or 90 w/s of output. An inexpensive typical small strobe is 320 w/s ... almost 4X as powerful.

 

Want to use more creatively effective and efficient light modification and you'll also eventually move to a strobe. Modifiers eat light, requiring more output, which in turn places a strain on expensive speed-lights that were not specifically made to do this kind of duty. Strobes are made to do this.

 

For example, a little 320 w/s Paul C Buff B800 AC strobe, with a radio sender and Mini-lithium battery for portable use is $580. total compared to a SF58 @ $650.

 

The way to use this in a classical set-up is the strobe as key directional and a SF58 in the hot shoe set to TTL for fill light. I use a 400 w/s Elinchrom Quadra strobe this way all the time with my S2. I have the S2 mounted on a Kirk AG-1N Action Grip with the radio sender on the grip handle connected to the S2's sync port.

 

-Marc

[zeleny]

Thanks for valuable advice, Marc. I am trying to set up two or three camera- and body-mounted SF58 slaves with pre-programmed exposure compensation to work most of the time, while running and gunning. I have two Broncolor A2L kits with RFS2 and Ringflash C for more stationary work.

[stephan_w]

For me some (Nikon) flashes with radio control (and manual settings with a seconic 758) work fine with the S2. But I agree that this concept has some limitations. It really depends on what you are trying to do.

[Eastgreenlander]

I read this thread some time ago and decited to look into a starter battery strobe set having no previous experiences. I initially wanted a Alien Bees battery pack set up but then I saw a great deal from my danish dealer on a profoto pro-7b 1200w and went for it along with two heads and acessories. Im quite excited to make my move onto strobe photography.

[mwilliamsphotography]

Thanks for valuable advice, Marc. I am trying to set up two or three camera- and body-mounted SF58 slaves with pre-programmed exposure compensation to work most of the time, while running and gunning. I have two Broncolor A2L kits with RFS2 and Ringflash C for more stationary work.

 

I'm interested in whether you were able to accomplish this with Leica SF58s?

 

My "run and gun" stuff currently is done with a SF58 in the hot shoe and an assistant with either a Quadra kit slug over the shoulder, or a radio triggered Sunpack 120J with a quantum Turbo C battery ... either of which is mounted on a mobile boom arm.

 

Unless the mobile SF58 could be HSS TTL controlled (which I do not think is possible), then using an expensive SF58 as the off-camera light is pretty expensive and limited in output and recycle speed compared to a lot of other options.

 

-Marc