Power Bank & External Flash light

[jiajun92]

Hi Guys,

I have just brough Canon 600 Ex-Rt ( External Flash Light ) and a Power Bank.
And I have tried out the flash with/without using the Power Bank. And I find no different!
The flash didn't recharger faster/last long with the power bank.
Or is there any indicator at the screen of 600 EX-RT show that is using external power bank?

I cant find the answer in the internet. Please help. Thanks!

 

[catchlights]

what "power bank" you use?

anyway, try fire your flash in manual mode, see the flash take how long to recycle on full power setting, with and without the external battery pack.

FYI, do take note that when the flash can recycle faster does not mean you should "machine gun" it.
shooting flash in rapid fire continuously is a sure case of blown flash tube or overheating the capacitor.

 

[Octarine]

Can you describe your "tests"? I hope you didn't press the test button on the flash to get any results ...
Secondly: what was the idea behind getting the external power pack? Or did just fell prey to a talented sales man?

 

[jiajun92]

I have been going for school camp, which I need to use more then 12 hour of shooting, I have no time keep on going up & down bunk to take rechargeable battery.
Power bank can make it last longer and recharging time is shorter? Am I right?
I went for 3day 2 night camp. One day I use w the power bank which another I didn't use it.
it last about 5 hour w and without using power bank.
*~I'm using 4 (AA) x 1900Mah rechargeable battery.~*

 

[kandinsky]

I have been going for school camp, which I need to use more then 12 hour of shooting, I have no time keep on going up & down bunk to take rechargeable battery.
Power bank can make it last longer and recharging time is shorter? Am I right?
I went for 3day 2 night camp. One day I use w the power bank which another I didn't use it.
it last about 5 hour w and without using power bank.
*~I'm using 4 (AA) x 1900Mah rechargeable battery.~*

'Power bank' is a very generic term. No one can read your mind. So for others to know what you're talking about so that they can help you, you'll need to specify brand/model of this 'power bank' you are talking about. Include link to product & photos if possible.

For example:
Are you talking about the Canon CP-E4 Compact Battery Pack?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498738-REG/Canon_1947B001_CP_E4_Compact_Battery_Pack.html

Regardless of brand/model, you'll want to take note of this:

source: http://www2.canon.com.hk/myContent/...es/Speedlite/_manual/600EX_RT_ECC_Web_001.pdf

No personal experience with this, but I read somewhere that Custom Function #12 might have something to do with it. Try checking it out:

Pg 99

 

[Octarine]

I have been going for school camp, which I need to use more then 12 hour of shooting, I have no time keep on going up & down bunk to take rechargeable battery.

From your vague descriptions I still don't see the need for an external power source. Have some packs of rechargeable batteries ready at hand, don't tell me you don't have this minute to change the flash batteries.

*~I'm using 4 (AA) x 1900Mah rechargeable battery.~*

Inside the flash or in the power bank? Or in both? If you only have batteries in the power bank or in the flash then where shall the difference come from? Only if you use both power sources in parallel (see C.Fn-12 settings) then you will get some faster recharging.

 

[qystan]

I have been going for school camp, which I need to use more then 12 hour of shooting, ~*

I think you've either fallen prey to the salesman or misconception of needs.

Shoot for 12 hrs (meaning 10 fps non stop for 12 hrs) or have your camera with you for 12 hrs and shooting 1200 pics?

1200 pics work out to 3 pics every 2 min non stop. Good luck in your culling. Btw, you'll need 3 cam batteries.

Flash doing the same? Indoors with normal lighting probably don't even need a flash.

 

[catchlights]

nowadays only the pro event shooters use external battery package,
if you don't always shoot events, have back up AA batteries is more economy and practical than using a external battery pack.
changing batteries won't take more than a few minutes.


anyway, shooting with flash during events must have discipline;

always have backup batteries with you
do not shoot at high power drain shots continuously unnecessary
shoot at highest ISO that you can get away with it
shoot at widest aperture that you can get away with it
do not shoot unimportant shots
make sure your batteries in your flash have enough juice before the important shots begin

 

[saberlancer]

Even pro event photographers hardly use them anymore..

 

[Zeisser]

Am still using this to cover events.

 

[catchlights]

Am still using this to cover events.

Yo Uncle... I also have this,

I think most young photographers don't know this Metz 60 older is than them. lol

 

[Zeisser]

Yo Uncle... I also have this,

I think most young photographers don't know this Metz 60 older is than them. lol

Yeah bro Catchlight you are absolutely right.Young photographers have not
seen this Metz 60CT4 Hammerhead flash before.Had it since 1992 and its still
working fine simply love the colour of pictures taken during film days and now digital era.It is very
accurate.

 

[Zeisser]

Current combination for events coverage.