Early birthday toy

[greatbear]

As I have done for countless years, I will buy a 'toy' for myself as a birthday present. This will always be more of a 'want' than a 'need'. For this year, it's a Canon Speedlight 580EX. I've been wanting a good bounce flash since getting my 30D D-SLR last year. I had a nice Speedlight with my Canon A1 SLR in the early 80s, but I lost it (I believe I loaned it and it never was returned). The 580 makes anything else I used in the past seem as sophisticated as a flashcube by comparison. Full 360 bounce capabilities, flash zoom to match lens length, strobe and wireless capabilities... it's da bomb.

I can finally take pictures in darkness that dont look like flash photography:




Sadly, the flash does nothing to keep me from looking like a fat, bald, old man.

It's gonna take a lot of effort to keep from going accessory crazy like I did with the A1. A couple lenses would be nice though...

Sadly, those things will have to wait, I found out the 18 year old heat pump here has pretty much bitten the dust. It's tough to believe that 1: it's been so long ago that I built this house and 2: I had so much enthusiasm in my youth.

Comments

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

You are too kind.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I have four digital cameras that fit in just about every category. Canon S230 Elph that goes everywhere, Olympus C5050 that I use mostly for 'utility' shots like working on cars, a Canon S3 IS that does a little of everything possible in a camera without being huge, and the EOS 30D. I really like the 30D. I just need to go around taking more pictures. I still have it in my head that I am dealing with film sometimes and dont feel I can go shooting willy nilly at everything.

And yer gonna get those hugs next time I see ya. Guar-on-teed.

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

As someone who is partial to fat, bald, old men, and fully intending to become one myself, I'm offended by the 'unfortunately' in that sentence. Tell me you're just joking, and that you actually think you're as sexy as I know you are?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I'm joking, but not completely. Perhaps it's the fact that I am turning 45, my life has been fairly much shattered recently and I feel more aches and pains than ever, I guess I am being pretty damn hard on myself. I am my own worst critic. As for other fat, bald old men, they can be quite hot. Me, I think I am tepid at best. But, that's my opinion of myself. Others can (and do) have wide ranging poinions of me. Yours fits in a category I'd much rather be in. Sadly, others dont see me in such a good light (be it flash or not! lol).

[kjvbear.livejournal.com]

you can be my fat, bald, old man anytime......woof.

now don't show this to Jeff.....LOL.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

He'll probably find it soon enough. lol

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, validation! NOMNOMNOMNOM! It tastes so goooood!

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

Validate? I want to violate. :D

[barak.livejournal.com]

I think your a handsome man! And your toy is so cool!

I long for the day when I can get a new camera, too!

[barak.livejournal.com]

And yes, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos!

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

Lovely machinery.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

No more shots that look like bad tabloid pics or Satan eyes everywhere. I'm going to have fun with this. The strobe effects alone will be a lotta fun to experiment with. And it can wirelessly slave to another 580. Sadly, I'm not made of money!

[aadroma.livejournal.com]

Sadly, the flash does nothing to keep me from looking like a fat, bald, old man.

Oh, stop -- you're hot, and I'm personally hoping that the new camera will mean we get more pictures of adorable you ^o^

Enjoy your new toy!

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

And I'll photograph the hell out of that scene!

woof!

[beartech420.livejournal.com]

really phi say that again and i'll tackle you and have my way with you old man! 45 just tells you you need to hit the strength training that's all stud!
man look at all the cubs who want you!!!
nice camera, hot man behind it.
best regards,
pete

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

yeah, lots more pics of you, handsome...

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

the next big step is to trigger the flash (and yeah, that speedlight is *NICE*!!) from *off-camera*.

Hints and tips at http://strobist.com

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Something I was not aware of until I got this flash is that the bloody thing does not have a PC terminal for external triggering. Nor do any of the speedlites. It can be triggered wirelessly via another 580 or 430 flash or an optional wireless trigger unit that fits the hotshoe of the camera, but nothing simple like a flash cable. I am considering getting a 430 as a remote for fills. Canon makes a hotshoe extension cable that allows my to move the flash off camera to a whopping distance of 2 feet. The wireless triggering feature uses optical rather than RF communication, so there is a distance limit as well as positioning limit at play too (no way out of scene, flash behind the subjects setups).

I gotta say though, this flash sitting on top of the camera can do some amazing things. Bounce 360 degrees horizontal, 180 vertical. strobe/multiflash, catchlight with bounce, wireless control in up to three slave groupings of any number of remotes, flash exposure bracketing, etc... the thing is more than just a flash.

Makes me wish I had a six pack of them. lol

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

Pocket Wizards!

http://www.pocketwizard.com/

[darke.livejournal.com]

Sadly, the flash does nothing to keep me from looking like a fat, bald, old man.

You forgot hot. :p

And forgive a newbie photographer question. I've long wondered how these flashes work. I think maybe I am getting hung up on the name "flash" or something. I don't see anything in that pic connecting to the light source, so how does it know to trigger when you take the picture?

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

It's a flash like most, sxcept the head pivots. In that pic I have the head pointed fully vertical (though I am holding the camera sideways) and the light is bouncing off the closet doors on the left. This is what's called using 'bounce flash', and it illuminates the subject indirectly and looks far more natural. I was standing in the dark entryway when I took the shot.

This particular flash can also trigger remote flashes. This way one can take a flash picture with multiple sources of light for effect or in tough situations.

[scozart.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I love my Canon S3 Si. I'm dying to play with the Canon EOS D5, but it's pretty pricy. Nice flash too! When I get a camera with a real hot shoe I'm sure I'll need one of those. If you've seen my Flickr site, you'll know I'm having a great time with my camera.

Congrats!

p.s. - New show is uploaded!

[otterdaemmerung.livejournal.com]

What? You're supposed to be in the bathroom with a towel around your waist when you take these sorts of self-shots, hasn't t3h Intarnets taught you anything? :)

And yes, I concur with the others. Hawt.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

*wakes up*

did someone say 'fat bald old man'?

*pants*

(yes sadly you've got them on...off! off! :-D

[detailbear.livejournal.com]

Listen, youngster. You aren't old, because I'm not, and you're younger than I am. ;-) If you're ever available and accessible, I'll line up with the others too prove it to you.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

Wow--that's some mighty huge ba--uh--lens ya got there! ;)

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

Ummn am I only one that wants to just rub that belly? Can we request what shots we next? Like maybe the same pose but you in a pair of boxer shorts? GRRRRR

[liftinmoose.livejournal.com]

grrr come here fat bald old man... I have the potion of youth right here for ya...