Photography 101
A Beginner’s Guide to
Flash Photography
Power Management of Your Flash
(Part 44)–
As we are nearing the end of this chapter, we received a query whose answer could shed light to most frequently asked questions in Power Management of your Flash. This is so timely that this author finds pleasure in providing the answer with elaborate explanations. The lack of adequate knowledge in this topic could lead the newbie photographer to some serious miscalculations of his flash fire power. If such thing could happen, his photo coverage of important events may surely lead to disaster or ruined image.
From our INBOX
From: Johnny Silvestre of Dagupan City
Dear sir Benjie,
I have attended your lecture in Basic Digital Photography in La Union sometime last year and since then, I have been enjoying shooting with my Canon 450D. I also read (though I missed many issues) your Manila Bulletin article including the present topic – Power Management of your Flash. I plan to buy a Canon 430EX flash this summer as I am commissioned to shoot the wedding of my cousin this May 2010. I might be shooting about 1500 to 2000 images on that occasion. I wonder what sort of battery and charger I should use. Can you advise?
To Johnny:
Your interest to choose a suitable battery and charger is well founded. Because once a choice is made, you are stuck into it. You might be lucky you don’t learn the hard way.
On choice of battery.
Use the nickel metal hydride (NiMH). Like in the case of our letter sender last issue (Photography 101, February 9, 2010), this type of battery is suited for you. As I have explained the reasons for the choice of this type of battery, I will not repeat it here.
• You need at least eight pieces of AA (or two sets). This is because a set of fully charged NiMH penlight should power your 430EX for about a hundred (or more) flashes at full power. This translates to about 400 to 1000 flashes in TTL mode (depending on your picture-taking style).
• Your two sets of battery should be enough to cover for the whole occasion. But as a matter of assurance in case some unforeseen situation takes place, it is always safe to have a fully charged battery set ready at hand as need arises.
• A likely scenario is that you’ll have to change to fresh batteries at some point in the church. And while using your second set of battery, the first set that you used up from the bride’s dressing place up to the church will be likely recharged at the reception.
• It would be an advantage if your two set of AAs are of different looks. Say for example, the first set is 2900 mAh and the second set is 2700 mAh. This is a safeguard against mix-up. Sometimes you end up mixing the partly discharged and fully discharged cell in charging. If this happens, the partly discharge battery may become overcharged or vice-versa.
• Professional photographers who often shoot two weddings in one day would need at least three sets of battery. In this situation, continuous recharging while at work is a “must.”
On choice of Battery Charger.
• It is normal for a wedding photographer to recharge batteries at wedding reception. In such case, charge time must be completed in two hours or even less.
• A rapid charger will save your neck if you must load the battery even if it is not yet fully charged - if only to save a situation.
• You are likely to become a PRO. As such, there is always a possibility of a short time notice of job appointment. Fast charger could shorten your mobilization time.
Smart Chargers.
Battery discharging feature.
More on this topic in our next issue!
Some smart charger models have feature that will first discharge all cells to same voltage level before applying the charge current. This is a desirable feature of a charger and is available only to high end models. If you have a fatter budget for a charger, try the more expensive Smart Charger. This gadget aside from being a rapid charger, will not give you worry of overcharged batteries. It is equipped with micro processor and an array of overcharging prevention devices including temperature sensor that can sense full charge battery condition and automatically reverts to trickle charging.You need a fast or rapid charger for the following reasons:
