M8 in a studio

[Cranialpush]

Guys,

Not sure if this question has been asked before, but has anyone tried using an M8 in a studio environment? .. and by that I mean with a lighting set-up using triggers (e.g. PocketWizard)? Is an adapter/connector required?

I'm thinking of attending a lightning course and wondered if I could take the opportunity to do some test shots with M8 under these conditions.

Thanks in advance,

Ian.

 

[swoop]

I've tried it, and it's terrible. That's my own experience, I couldn't deal. I don't do much studio work, so it's not something that happens often, but it was enough to make me buy a K10D for the occasion.

 

[Richard Marks]

I've tried it, and it's terrible. That's my own experience, I couldn't deal. I don't do much studio work, so it's not something that happens often, but it was enough to make me buy a K10D for the occasion.

This is puzzling. There is nothing inherent in the M8 which precludes studio usage
I have a set up with soft box and reflector and trigger this with a small on camera flash. Works very well. You say that you do not do much studio work. Could this perhaps be a factor?Did the K10d improve things?
Richard

 

[furcafe]

I have to agree. This past weekend, my local photo social group conducted a primer/workshop on studio lighting @ a member's studio. We all used a # of Pocket Wizards in conjunction w/various strobe set ups, etc. To answer CranialStrain's original question, no adapter is necessary because triggers like the Pocket Wizard are pretty basic (no TTL functionality or anything).

I had no problem using my M8 w/the various set-ups. That said, my digital keepers were all available light as I was more interested in experimenting using flash w/my Fuji GW670III (hurray for leaf shutters & being able to synch @ all speeds!).

This is puzzling. There is nothing inherent in the M8 which precludes studio usage
I have a set up with soft box and reflector and trigger this with a small on camera flash. Works very well. You say that you do not do much studio work. Could this perhaps be a factor?Did the K10d improve things?
Richard

 

[DLee]

I am a new convert to the M8. I use it for headshots with flash triggered via pocket wizards. (Sorta like a studio.) Works fine for me.

 

[HAnkg]

M8 in studio

M8 in studio

The M8 works just fine in the studio. Just slap a radio sender in the hot shoe and you are good to go.

The camera you use in the studio is whatever camera you prefer to shoot for the type of subject you are shooting. It's your lighting set up that will determine what the shot looks like and since all the lighting is done manually and does not use any of the automated flash functions built into DSLR's it doesn't matter what type camera you use as long as it has flash sync. So if you like rangefinders and manual focus knock your self out.

 

[Cranialpush]

Thank you all for the replies, I'll let you know how I get on 😀

 

[pss]

use it in studio most of the time....i love the microsync (size!) but use my hensel controller most the time....why would it not work in studio?
if you need T/S for product shots, look elsewhere....but i guess then you would not consider it anyway.....

 

[aniMal]

Just started using the M8 - and also quite recently started working in a studio at all. It is such a great thing to be able to go fully manual - using the hyperfocal setting - and just working without too many hindrances! Also it is small - and I get to communicate more with the models - will try to train myself so that I can work more and more without using the viewfinder even...

There are so many advantages to using an M8 in controlled settings - for instance you actually SEE the exposure through the finder... Invaluable when timing movement!

 

[panos]

i do loads of studio work
the M8 is like any other camera with out auto focus IMO
i prefer the M8 than the cannons or nikons

 

[aniMal]

I prefer it exactly because there IS no AF... Why on earth should I have to think about it when having a DOF that covers the entire set? And also I just love not getting lost in lots of nested menus...

If it was possible to buy a digital FM-2 or something like it, I would probably choose that over the D300 too - but then I have a style/area of work where I have never had a need for AF, seriously....

 

[blakley]

I don't use it in the studio a lot, but I did take it to a local portrait lighting workshop and used it with studio strobes triggered with Elinchrom skyport radio triggers. The results were very good; the resulting 8x10 prints were as good as those I used to get optically from my medium-format gear (haven't tried printing the results bigger though.) Setup and use was straightforward if you're used to setting strobes manually. An example: