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  • 03-10-2009 9:36pm
    #1
    Fiona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭


    Is it possible to take decent indoor night pics without a hot shoe flash on your camera??

    I have been asked to do a 30th birthday party at the end of the month but I don't have one of these, I think Conns Camera Shop hire out equipment. The flash on my camera takes on a life of it's own and tends to blind people, you only have 30 secs to get peoples attention at a party for pics so I can't afford to be waiting around for my flash to get it's act together

    I have an Olympus E520


Comments

  • #2
    Eirebear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,014 ✭✭✭Eirebear


    Flash is pretty essential to be honest if your doing indoor stuff.

    Pop up will just end up pissing you off more than anything else, and for group shots probably wont have enough coverage to fill the frame.


  • #3
    Fiona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭Fiona


    I know your right really goes down to the golden rule of no light no picture, right going to have to get one!


  • #4
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    yes and no.

    If lighting in the venue was really good and your lens was really good (2.8, 2, or 1.7 perhaps), and your camera gear was well capable of going up the available ISO, and your subjects would stay relatively still then you'd have some chance - but i'd guess that this set of circumstances may be difficult to achieve.

    So, you then are into a hot shoe flash unit probably bouncing off reasonably low ceiling to give an even spread of light and minimise undesirable shadows on your subjects.

    There are other stop gap measures - the likes of the lumiquest screens

    softscreen.jpg

    which will be better and will soften the light somewhat. But you'd be best to get your hands on a proper external flash unit i'd think.


  • #5
    Fiona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,357 ✭✭✭Fiona


    Thanks ancat!

    I am going to organise a little house party so I can test out your theory but if I try it and it does not work then I am just going to have to bite the bullet and get the external flash. Thanks again.


  • #6
    nilhg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,164 ✭✭✭nilhg


    One of the big advantages of an external flash on an Oly is the focus assist lamp, it really speeds up focus in low light conditions

    When you do get one this guide is really useful in setting up.


    If you want an cheaper alternative to genuine Oly flashes, I've seen good reports of Metz units (like this one)


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  • #7
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    AnCatDubh wrote: »
    If lighting in the venue was really good and your lens was really good (2.8, 2, or 1.7 perhaps), and your camera gear was well capable of going up the available ISO, and your subjects would stay relatively still then you'd have some chance - but i'd guess that this set of circumstances may be difficult to achieve.

    Just to follow this line of thought for a second - take a look at Janer's last random thread post.

    If the Exif's accurate - no flash, ISO 1600, f1.4, 5D MkII and i'm guessing from the pose that the subject isn't jumping about the place. So, if circumstances, environment and gear are all correct, it obviously can be done.

    Very nice Janer by the way.


  • #8
    AnimalRights
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,067 ✭✭✭AnimalRights


    nilhg wrote: »
    One of the big advantages of an external flash on an Oly is the focus assist lamp, it really speeds up focus in low light conditions
    The focus assist lamp is what I could do with, but my 430 EX II doesn't come with one? Is it the 580 EX II? I liked the smallness of the 430 EX II, the 580 EX II is bigger and heavier. :(


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