Musashi1205
Established
When I‘m really insecure of what’s going on on a event, I would stuff a small LED panel (approx. 5x10cm), a diffuser and some batteries/charger in my camera bag. I can put it on the hotshoe or even better hold it in my left hand, beside the camera. Strong enough, ligther, easier to handle than a flashgun with extension cable or transmitter.
Works really nice with my trusty 28 or 55mm
Works really nice with my trusty 28 or 55mm
This is true, especially when a wedding is unfortunately done in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny and clear day.
Here's a fun story that relates to flash. I once was given a job by a friend to cover a wedding as second shooter since she had something come up, and the primary shooter who I met there was pretty novice. She had nothing but a 5D2 and a 50mm f/1.8, no flash. I ended up being the primary shooter basically, but the real fun started later...
The whole wedding was a family affair and done at the family farm. Someone was supposed to put up lanterns in a big oak tree the couple were getting married under. Due to various scheduling issues, instead of the ceremony starting near sunset, the sun was well and truly set when it started and everyone was sitting in basically pitch-black conditions (way out in the country) and they hadn't ever gotten those lanterns put up. These are important shots! I couldn't even see the bride and groom once the ceremony started!
So I aimed in the general direction, flipped the camera to manual focus, and started popping flashes. Every flash I adjusted the focus and framing until I had something usable. Once I had the image lined up and focus acceptable I simply shot an image with the flash every 5-10 seconds and then a bunch of images at the end when they kissed. Enough of them came out okay to save the day for the other photographer (it was her gig).
ALWAYS have a flash!!
Archiver
Veteran
This makes a lot of sense, I often use a small LED light as a key light for interviews. It helps pick out the subject's face and gives them 'eye reflections' which prevents that 'dead eyes' look often seen in news broadcasts. Something else to stuff in the bag, haha.
Archiver
Veteran
Thanks a lot for the offer, I appreciate it. This video outlines why I would be wary about using the Z6 as a video camera, although I'm watching out for advances in future iterations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTCAoniK-cE
The 4K video of the Z6 is great, but the 1080p isn't the best, especially the slow motion / high frame rate feature. I use a lot of slow mo, either 4k 50p conformed to 25p (50% slow down) or 1080 100p conformed to 25p (25% slowdown). I handled the Z6 as Camera Lane shortly after it came out and I loved the feeling and size, and the layout of controls seems quite similar to the Panasonic G9, which I also love.
I do have to say that this looks more than decent, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OECgn36yImM
As a stills camera I think I'd be very happy with the Z6, but for something which will serve as a video B cam or complementary cam on shoots where I'm moving between two bodies, the Nikon Z system doesn't seem there yet. Maybe the Z6 II or (gasp) the future Z9 would fit that bill, but this is moot for now. The Sony system seems to offer the specs I'm after, I just need to shoot with a camera or two for a bit to see how it goes.
Corran
Well-known
Yes the new LED lights are interesting. Didn't exist at the time (well, not small portable ones). I haven't really used them myself yet but I'd like to see how much light they really put out and what I could get away with compared to a flash.