Flashgun IR focus assist beams
Discussion
I was shooting a really badly light music gig the other night with fill in flash and auto focus had a really hard time hitting it.
Please don't tell me that I should be using manual focus!
Has anyone tried using two (or more!) flashguns with IR focus assist in dark conditions and if so how did you do it/did it work better?
I have various Canon, Jinbei and Caler flash controllers which would do the multi-flash job easily but it is another lump to carry around that needs batteries.
Is there a dual wired possibility that I haven't yet found?
ETA may be master/slave?
Please don't tell me that I should be using manual focus!
Has anyone tried using two (or more!) flashguns with IR focus assist in dark conditions and if so how did you do it/did it work better?
I have various Canon, Jinbei and Caler flash controllers which would do the multi-flash job easily but it is another lump to carry around that needs batteries.
Is there a dual wired possibility that I haven't yet found?
ETA may be master/slave?
Three things are at play here - the max aperture of the lens, the AF capability of the camera and the AF assist system (which can be in the camera, in the flash, or both).
I came this way at my first wedding - I'd bought a powerful Nikon Speedlight (which has AF assist) but had a standard 70-300mm lens. It hunted all over the place. So the next time I armed myself with f2.8 lenses and a flash synch cord that had an extra AF assist feature. Subject to range, I was then able to shoot perfect photos in virtual darkness - the projected 'barcode' allowed the camera to find focus, the flash did the rest.
Of course you don't get much fill flash because there's no ambient to fill... so the flash does most of the exposure.
I came this way at my first wedding - I'd bought a powerful Nikon Speedlight (which has AF assist) but had a standard 70-300mm lens. It hunted all over the place. So the next time I armed myself with f2.8 lenses and a flash synch cord that had an extra AF assist feature. Subject to range, I was then able to shoot perfect photos in virtual darkness - the projected 'barcode' allowed the camera to find focus, the flash did the rest.
Of course you don't get much fill flash because there's no ambient to fill... so the flash does most of the exposure.
I've had more success in low light situations by assigning the focus back button (or other function button) to focus lock mode.
Then once you hit focus the first time (be it auto focus or manual) just hold down the button and blatt away with the flash. Let go of the button when you wish to re-focus on something else and repeat.
This avoids all the unnecessary focus hunting between exposures if you're snapping the same subject and they don't move out of the focus range too much. But as you're using the flash anyway, you can afford to narrow the aperture to give yourself that additional wiggle room anyway
Then once you hit focus the first time (be it auto focus or manual) just hold down the button and blatt away with the flash. Let go of the button when you wish to re-focus on something else and repeat.
This avoids all the unnecessary focus hunting between exposures if you're snapping the same subject and they don't move out of the focus range too much. But as you're using the flash anyway, you can afford to narrow the aperture to give yourself that additional wiggle room anyway
eltawater said:
I've had more success in low light situations by assigning the focus back button (or other function button) to focus lock mode.
Then once you hit focus the first time (be it auto focus or manual) just hold down the button and blatt away with the flash. Let go of the button when you wish to re-focus on something else and repeat.
This avoids all the unnecessary focus hunting between exposures if you're snapping the same subject and they don't move out of the focus range too much. But as you're using the flash anyway, you can afford to narrow the aperture to give yourself that additional wiggle room anyway
Thanks I'll try that out tomorrow.Then once you hit focus the first time (be it auto focus or manual) just hold down the button and blatt away with the flash. Let go of the button when you wish to re-focus on something else and repeat.
This avoids all the unnecessary focus hunting between exposures if you're snapping the same subject and they don't move out of the focus range too much. But as you're using the flash anyway, you can afford to narrow the aperture to give yourself that additional wiggle room anyway
I cracked it! I think.
I remembered that I still had a Canon ST-E2 IR flash controller from way back when and not used for years.
Anyhow it has focus assist IR beams and together with the IR assist on the flash gun the camera was able to focus in pitch black conditions. Well at least in my cellar. I'll try it out at the next gig.
I remembered that I still had a Canon ST-E2 IR flash controller from way back when and not used for years.
Anyhow it has focus assist IR beams and together with the IR assist on the flash gun the camera was able to focus in pitch black conditions. Well at least in my cellar. I'll try it out at the next gig.
paul.deitch said:
Anyhow it has focus assist IR beams and together with the IR assist on the flash gun the camera was able to focus in pitch black conditions.
Simpo Two said:
...and the AF assist system...
a powerful Nikon Speedlight (which has AF assist)... a flash synch cord that had an extra AF assist feature. Subject to range, I was then able to shoot perfect photos in virtual darkness...
You're welcome.a powerful Nikon Speedlight (which has AF assist)... a flash synch cord that had an extra AF assist feature. Subject to range, I was then able to shoot perfect photos in virtual darkness...
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff