What the heck is that?

[SnapShotz]

Guys, need your advice. Found 20% of my recent shots got these lightbanding across the pic. Whats the problem? Im using Canon 300D with Sigma EF500 DG-ST Flash + homemade reflector card about 3" x 4" in size. Manual exposure - ISO 400-800, 5.6-6.3 aperture, speed at 30-60.

These happen randomly and about 20% of my shots are affected.

Is it problem with my flash, reflector card or camera shutter?

Pls need help asap...

 

[lsisaxon]

Guys, need your advice. Found 20% of my recent shots got these lightbanding across the pic. Whats the problem? Im using Canon 300D with Sigma EF500 DG-ST Flash + homemade reflector card about 3" x 4" in size. Manual exposure - ISO 400-800, 5.6-6.3 aperture, speed at 30-60.

These happen randomly and about 20% of my shots are affected.

Is it problem with my flash, reflector card or camera shutter?

Pls need help asap...

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/SnapShotz_photo/Light-Band-01.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/SnapShotz_photo/Light-Band-02.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/SnapShotz_photo/Light-Band-03.jpg

Show us a picture of your reflector card.

Try shooting a bare wall with and without the reflector card, with and without flash and see if you can repeat the problem.

 

[ExplorerZ]

could also be problem of shutter... jammed for a faction of a second before it continue closing/opening..

 

[lsisaxon]

could also be problem of shutter... jammed for a faction of a second before it continue closing/opening..

Those are portrait shots, the band is across, which means it is a vertical band in the normal orientation. If shutter momentarily jam, it should be a horizontal band (in the normal orientation) instead because of vertical travelling shutter.

 

[tribal.snake]

band looks too uniform to be a problem with the reflector...

 

[lsisaxon]

band looks too uniform to be a problem with the reflector...

Then the TS would have to be prepared for the worst... Electronics... Nevertheless, let's take a look at the reflector before making a conclusion.

 

[michhy]

should be your flash sync...
do a couple of tests with flash/without
with reflector, and without.
try also slower and faster flash sync speeds.

 

[ortega]

band looks too uniform to be a problem with the reflector...

the line is not at the same location, it is slightly different on each frame
are these images upcropped?

i suspect the reflector
only way to find out is to test

as stated above

 

[SnapShotz]

Hey thanks guys...i did a few test shots...and here is the result...seems like its a problem with my reflector when my flash is set for portrait mode (1st pic). This doesn't happen in landscape mode. All landscape mode shots doesn't have these light banding problem no matter which angle i put the flash head on (the reflector is horizontal with the flash head, hence wider area). Its so obvious when im using flash with reflector and then set at 60 degrees angle in portrait (vertical) mode (3rd pic). So, any solution to this? Should i buy GF Lightsphere (expensive) or use other type of home made reflector (idea)? Appreciate your feedback.