Hey Guys,

This is a shelter dog that I did last weekend. I have gotten very heavily into the shelter pets..and have volunteered to do three more shoots in the coming three weeks. Hope to get some guys adopted and some money raised.

These are the first event shots I have done incorporating an umbrella and ONE light with the 5dii. I really like the system a lot (well, I used the umbrella at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and loved the results). Thanks to Preston for recommending it. It is actually much better than the system I had (which was incorporating up to 4 lights to do the same thing).

James

These are really nice James. Are you still using speedlights?

You are getting a really nice spread of light. Is it an EX550 / 580? If so, how are you tripping the light?

She looks like a real sweetheart. Well done.

Hey Guys,

Yes. These are using the strobes off of my Canon 580 EX. I was using one 580 in the umbrella and one on camera (aiming the light behind me to not interfere with the umbrella).

I am shooting manual flash because I found that the 5dii requires the 580 EX ii (Thanks, Canon) in order to get full E-TTL with it. As I just purchased the 580's prior to the 580 ii being announced, I was a bit cheesed. Shooting manually though is actually easier, LOL, as I get perfect exposures every single time.

It was essentially an 'standard' set-up, with the light being off at a 45 degree angle. I may start incoporating a 2nd umbrella and possibly a hair-light in the near future. I am really pleased with the results, and of course, I always have the urge to complicate things. :P

I got a call last night asking if I would be willing to help out with a couple of Huskys that got hit running by the road (and lived) the other night. Maybe we can raise some money.

James

The camera works great with the 580 EX Flash ON body. However, when you start using it externally, it does not function optimally. I used my 40d for most of the shots at the last shoot for this reason. The 5dii was under-exposed except when I shot manual flash...and the problem shooting with the Canon Wireless system is that each flash must be fired at the same level in manual (unlike when you shoot in E-TTL, which allows for ratios). In order to get accurate speedlite control with the 5dii, you need to use the 580 EX II flash.

James

OK. I have a 580II and a 550. Do you think that with the 580II on a 5dm2 that it would fire the 550 correctly?

Hey Preston,

Sorry I took so long to reply. I blanked out. :P Anyway, I am not 100% sure. I am going to check into this when I purchase my new 580 EX II. This should be some time next week. I don't want to sell all of my flashes (and have to repurchase) if I can avoid it. Going sales prices on ebay are about 300-350 (if you are lucky) for a 580EX....the cost at B&H is 450.

James