P3D Re: What kind of flash do you use?

[Greg Dinkins <dinkins@xxxxxxxx>]

>If that is the case, has anyone shot using 2 flashes at the same time

 I've been shooting with 2 Vivitar 285's mounted on either side of my
Realist. I did acheive my goal of more power so I can use smaller apertures
and illuminate greater distances. Unfortunately my flash meter died just as
I got the whole system working smoothly. So I have not yet nailed down the
exposure/ distance relationship. Many of my pictures have overexposed
foregrounds and/or underexposed backgrounds (due to the smaller apertures).
I am in fact shooting K64 at f11 quite often. At this aperture you give up
fill from available light at most times of day and most room settings.  Of
course the 285s allow you to dial down the blast, but I have been reluctant
to add one or two more steps to this system. (except times when the photo is
a setup and you have plenty of time and less distraction) 

The rig is massive, as I 've incorporated a Quantum battery to recharge the
two flashes. The whole thing (camera, two flashes and battery) is mounted on
the Real 3D bar intended for twin camera setups. The synch is mechanical,
with a multisynch adaptor plugged into the Realist's PC adaptor, and short
straight PC cables connecting the camera and flashes.

If you already have the two flashes I urge you to try this and maybe you'll
perfect the system. When I get a new fla$h meter (or more time to
experiment) I will pursue this lighting system, perhaps using one flash on M
and one on quarter power.  Despite the huge rig there's an attraction to
having all that power and being mobile and self-contained.  The real
excitement of dual flash will be setting one of the flashes off to the side
triggered by a slave. I've had a  couple of successful pix with that setup
and they are much more interesting than the double-blast of front light. 

Good luck. 

Greg Dinkins


------------------------------