[HUG ] Re: SV: Re: On the subject of equipement cost plus questions on flash systems.

Sherman Bloom wrote:
I use a 503CW with a CFV or film back (as well as a Nikon system) . I do a certain amount of desktop flower and macro photography and some other still-life things. I use available light, sometimes with balanced fluorescent lights added. I am reluctant to get involve with flash systems, but maybe that would be a good thing. If I did go with flash I would probably need a ring light capable of low-power operation and, perhaps, one or more (low-power) slave units. Any comments? There are some excellent systems available for the Nikon, but right now I'm thinking only of the Hassy. 

Ring flash light is boring.
I prefer using either one very large light source (daylight, like you do) or a couple of small lights. You could tape one or more sections of the ring flash over to achieve a similar, more 3D light.
I have a Hasselblad ring light but no power supply for it. So no experience with ring lights on my Hasselblad. But i do have ringlights and twin macro lights for my Olympus gear, which i have used extensively (but don't anymore). I definitely liked the twin macro flash a lot better, and have since bought the similar twin macro flash thing from Hasselblad too. But these are cumbersome thingies. In a static set, i prefer not having these attached to the camera/lens, and use other (flash) lights.
I always wanted to get an optic fiber light (which i do have) with built-in flash (which i do not have). Such a thing is great for when there really is little room for lights. Yet mine need are not self supporting, and the tiny clamps i use to keep them in position do get in the way sometimes. At one time i started building my own combi-thing (halogen and flash in one unit), with a small Metz unit capable of doing TTL control, but never finished the project. Something i might want to do someday soon.
But often you do not need to light a small part of your smal subect, and larger lamps further away from teh subject will do just as fine. Tiny reflectors (a thing the darkslide can do well if in need, yet plain white card will do better) are a must.
I also have a 500 ELX, but have never learned to use it, and so far do not see the need. Am I missing something here? 

Yes. TTL-flash control.
I have a diopter for my Gossen Mastersix, allowing me to do spot metering at very close range. But it's not much fun to use. TTL flash will not always be spot on, but after building a set, setting up the camera, usually for a single picture, there are enough frames on a roll to bracket flash and get the perfect result.
Another thing the ELX offers is the ability to remotely release the thing without even being connected through a wire. (I recently took a macro picture of something suspended by a thin thread. Even being near the thing would set it swinging. So i attached a radio control unit (cost me about US$ 10, including shipping from China), prereleased the camera, went away, and after a nice long wait pressed the remote to get the shot).
And not having to touch the camera in between shots (though you often want to change aperture, or bracket focus, which you of course can't do without touching the camera), risking to knock the framing or the focus off. 



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