Flash + radio trigger sitting too high...

[andretan]

Hi,

I recently bought this foldable softbox to use with my 3rd party flash and radio trigger, but the trigger is quite tall and end up I have to raise the softbox mount higher, and have to resort to letting the strobe sit inside the softbox like this (see below), which means I cannot select some of the flash features, like the ISO and F-stop...



The flash has optical slave capability, but it doesn't have a sync cord input or anything like that, and neither does the PT04-TM.

Any solution to this?

[Hacker]

Looks like a Lastolite to me?

[catchlights]

I don't see any problem here, cos ideally for portrait, light source is placing about one and a half feet higher than your subject's head, you can lower the light and adjust setting, or stand on a stool.

we don't place the softbox at our eye level at all time, unless we shoot our subjects sitting or lying down, or shooting little people.

btw, you can add a omnibounce to your flash to make it evenly spread inside the softbox

[andretan]

Originally Posted by catchlights I don't see any problem here, cos ideally for portrait, light source is placing about one and a half feet higher than your subject's head, you can lower the light and adjust setting, or stand on a stool. we don't place the softbox at our eye level at all time, unless we shoot our subjects sitting or lying down, or shooting little people. btw, you can add a omnibounce to your flash to make it evenly spread inside the softbox

Hi, I'm referring to the height of the flash unit itself, not the height of the softbox

Cos the flash head cannot be locked at 90deg...

Hope that clear things up a bit.

[viix]

Originally Posted by andretan 1) which means I cannot select some of the flash features, like the ISO and F-stop... 2) The flash has optical slave capability, but it doesn't have a sync cord input or anything like that, and neither does the PT04-TM.

I'm confused
for you question above;
1) You are using auto flash and not full manual? For using with softbox, is best to just use full manual and set the flash power instead of relying on Auto (which with the softbox is redundent as the sensor is block) & TTL (which is redundent since you're using the trigger)


2) Why optical slave when your triggering wirelessly? Again i'm confused?

[viix]

Originally Posted by Hacker Looks like a Lastolite to me?

i believe it's a china clone from tagotech

[andretan]

Originally Posted by viix I'm confused for you question above; 1) You are using auto flash and not full manual? For using with softbox, is best to just use full manual and set the flash power instead of relying on Auto (which with the softbox is redundent as the sensor is block) & TTL (which is redundent since you're using the trigger) 2) Why optical slave when your triggering wirelessly? Again i'm confused?

1. It's on manual........... except that the flash head is not firing from a 90degrees angle, so I don't have "full" control of the flash, I can only set the power, I can't set other settings.

2. I'm just saying that the flash unit has Optical Slave capability...

[viix]

Originally Posted by andretan 1. It's on manual........... except that the flash head is not firing from a 90degrees angle, so I don't have "full" control of the flash, I can only set the power, I can't set other settings. 2. I'm just saying that the flash unit has Optical Slave capability...

Urm, set power enough already.. what flash head is that? Is the ISO/Fstop just a reference table?
Ok, it doesn't need to fire from 90 degress, but if your controls are on the front of the flash, you still will not have full access to the buttons cos the space is tight.
What you might want to do though, is to either get a longer L bracket or diy some options..



Anyway you'll only need to set it a few times to get the correct light ratio and use the same setting throughout.. then adjust the distance of the softbox from the subject to increase or decrease the fill..


I just set it once, then write down on a tape the setting so next time no need to re do the whole lighting setup and adjustment.. eg, 1m, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/16 power than calculate whatever stop adjustments I need from there..

hope it helps

[andretan]

Originally Posted by viix Urm, set power enough already.. what flash head is that? Is the ISO/Fstop just a reference table? Ok, it doesn't need to fire from 90 degress, but if your controls are on the front of the flash, you still will not have full access to the buttons cos the space is tight. What you might want to do though, is to either get a longer L bracket or diy some options.. Anyway you'll only need to set it a few times to get the correct light ratio and use the same setting throughout.. then adjust the distance of the softbox from the subject to increase or decrease the fill.. I just set it once, then write down on a tape the setting so next time no need to re do the whole lighting setup and adjustment.. eg, 1m, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/16 power than calculate whatever stop adjustments I need from there.. hope it helps

Ok thanks!

[viix]

Quote: No access to machining tools... @_@ Maybe must pay a visit to hardware shops soon @_@ Do those neighbourhood hardware shops do the cutting and bending for those metal parts or something? Anyway, this is what I mean (see the small screen) When the flash is firing straight ahead... When the flash is firing "up" (as in my initial post's setup)

OK I get it now~

I don't use machined brackets too.. I just buy those shelley branded L bracket and improvised..

Hey~ those numbers are guides only.. it helps you to calculate but you don't need it cos it is with reference to when the flash is firing straight on so you can set the aperture. That's why it doesn't give any figure when you angle the flash head

You only need to set the Power (the top right number which is now set at 1/8 according to your photo)

The first pic show the flash telling you that at this power, you set your cam to ISO 100 f/2.8
BUT don't forget you'll need to compensate 1-2 stops of light loss through the diffuser.

[andretan]

Yup thanks

[azul123]

Originally Posted by viix

Is this DIY? cool, faster way to insert flash to softbox... better than LiteDome bracket I purchased.

../azul123

[dennisdk]

Other solution: connect your flash and radio trigger with a hot-shoe extension cable instead of direct.
That way the flash can sit on the stand as it is supposed to be and you can hang the trigger on the stand.
See example at the link.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/21...showimage.html
or
http://www.bizrate.com/digitalcamera...areprices.html

I bought a similar cable at John 3:16, although not for this specific use.

[andretan]

Thanks all