 Karrie Smith |
FLASH I HAVE A NIKON N80 AND AM LOOKING TO BUY A FLASH FOR A WEDDING I AM TAKING IN AUGUST. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A PRO MASTER 6500 AND A NIKON 80DX I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO LOOK FOR. I WANT THE BEST FOR MY MONEY. WHAT FLASH IS PREFERED?
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John A. Lind |
Karrie, Between the two I'd opt for the Nikon 80DX. Not so much that it's a Nikon Speedlight for your Nikon system, but because it has more flash power. The Promaster FTD 6500M has a GN rating of 120 (ASA 100, feet, zoomed to 105mm). What you are likely not aware of, is zoomed back to 35mm, the guide number drops, probably to about 100 or so. It's not uncommon for manufacturers to advertise their zoom flashes at the max zoom setting; that's the highest guide number for the flash. It's also the narrowest beam of light (which is why the rating is higher). The Nikon SB-80DX is among the most powerful shoe mounted flashes ever made; it's an evolution of the SB-28/28DX. By comparison its GN rating is 125 (ASA 100, feet, zoomed to 35mm). Zoomed out to 105mm to compare it with the Promaster, its GN climbs to 184, making it significantly more powerful. You NEED much higher flash power at a wedding than most non-professionals would ever use for general photography. Shooting distances are often farther than normally encountered in a home environment, and spaces are almost always more cavernous (light isn't contained as much by walls/ceiling). Some overkill with available flash power is a Good Thing for weddings. The Nikon SB-80DX requires six seconds to recycle from "full dump," and that's with brand new batteries. This is pretty common for shoe mounted flash units that use internal batteries (four "AA" cells is typical). The much weaker Promaster 6500 would require about the same amount of time. If the flash has some "overkill" with available power, it rarely needs to use its full power for any of the photographs. What isn't used for one shot is is saved for the next. This very significantly shortens recycle time. When shooting a wedding, particularly some of the portraits and some of the key reception events, six seconds can seem like an eternity. If your flash doesn't have a little more than necessary for 95% of the shots, you will find yourself waiting, and waiting, and waiting for it to recycle. This is my fear about the weaker Promaster . . . you would end up waiting many eternities during the wedding for it to recycle . . . and it's that waiting that can cause you to miss a shot. -- John
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John A. Lind |
Karrie, Some additional remarks related to weddings . . . If you have never photographed a wedding before, you will have a unique experience. Unless this is a *very* casual affair with only a few very close friends/relatives in attendance, it is a huge responsibility. You can't go back the following weekend and do things over if they didn't work right the first time. It will tax ALL of your photography skills to their limits, plus some, and you will be physically and mentally exhausted afterward. It may also stress your diplomatic skills in working with people. Respect and cooperation from bride/groom is key; the rest usually follow. If you don't have that, it can get pretty difficult trying to get the job done. I've never had a serious problem, but there have been times when key bridal party members have done things (in spite of requests and guidance) that made making the photographs much more difficult . . . and it can affect the quality of them. That said, if you have your act together and avoid the major pitfalls/blunders, it can also be quite rewarding (but still exhausting). I wrote a "wedding survival guide" for non-professionals who have been asked (or drafted) by friends/relatives to shooting a wedding. You will find it here: Good Luck,
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