What is your off-camera flash setup?

[SunnySideUp]

Over the last couple of months I have been toying with off-camera flash. Basically I have been renting two Pocket Wizards (1 camera, 1 flash), Quantum Turbo Slim, and a 580 EX II. I use a gorilla pod to put the flash all over the place (Trees, fense, ground). I was using xti, 20d and a 30d.

The problem I encountered was that the 580 EX II recycle time was really slow off the camera i.e. a shot every couple of seconds. I could not figure out how to pop off 5 shoots in a second. Can the flash do it? Am I using the wrong setup.

I am across another photographer that was using the 1d Mark III with nikon flashes and Quantum T2X2.

So my two questions are...
Did I just not have the setting set right?
What setup are people usining around here?

Thanks
Shane

[jorgemonkey]

To get high speed sync out of your 580 EX (I think it can, I'm a Nikon guy here) you'll need the PW Multimax transmitter/receiver combo.

I use a Nikon D2h with a SB-800 connected to a PW Plus, and one on camera. When I shoot with the flash, I use single shot mode instead of a continuous burst.

Popping 5 flashes per second will probably burn up your flash pretty quick

[SunnySideUp]

Popping 5 flashes per second will probably burn up your flash pretty quick

Yeah, it really isn't my style, but in cyclocross and mtb events every now and then I find myself needing to capture a series. ie. wreck... and to have the flash fire once out of 5 times sort of sucks.

[JBPhoto]

You won't get 5 flashes per second with the 580EX or any other flash for that matter. The Quantum Turbo or a Canon CP-E3 Battery Pack connected to the 580EX should give you about a 1 second recycle time. You need one battery pack for each flash unit if you're using more than one flash. Also, I don't think the PW Multimax's will increase your sync speed, I think you're stuck at 250 on the Canon's regardless of which PW model you're using. Someone please, correct me if I'm wrong.

I use Alien Bees B800's for most all of my sports related off camera flash, they work great for me, although I sometimes wish I bought the 1600's.

[dhyravy]

If you're using the flash in any TTL mode, the flash level will vary and recycle times are not predictable. I use my Sunpak 383s in manual mode only and if I'm using 1/4 power (which I do a lot) I can get three or four pops before they need a recycle using 4 NiMH batteries.

[livin4lax09]

I use two alienbee b800s with pocketwizards.

[JSPhoto]

I don't use mine off camera but to get 5 continous fires you need to either have it in fill flash mode and manually turn the power down or use the sequential mode in the manual but that is tricky, although I forget the settings you can get 10 flashes . Doing this though can burn the flash tube out if you use it a lot. Check the manual as it's towards the end of the English section.

JS

[SunnySideUp]

So you guys using alienbees, what sports are you shotting with them? Are you doing a one time setup or do you move them around a lot?

[JBPhoto]

I use them for volleyball and basketball. I put them up and take them down 2 to 3 times per week, takes less than 10 minutes. I also occasionally use them with umbrellas around the house, just goofing around and experimenting with lighting.

[brhitch]

I have 3 pocket wizard plus II's, an sb800, sb28 and 2 alien bee 800's, I've not had any problems popping off 4 or 5 shots in a row with the sb's. I always shoot my flashes on manual. I have Nmh rechargables in my sb800 since it's my primary flash that i reach for all the time.