Need more power

[IdahoPhotoist]

I have for two years now photographed the county fair, anything out doors no problem, but they have an indoor arena that is a black hole. I have tried several large hot shoe flashes, and in the images, I can see the light pattern go out and fall at the feet of the subject. I have not been able to find anything in a hot-shoe better. So being an 'ol photographer I have been trying to find specs on older flashes that I might find to do the trick. I have looked at Metz 60, and a few others, even looked at ebay, catch is most of the gear looks ratty, and not sure I want to buy a pig n a poke. What flashes would your recommend? I prefer to get as close to GN200@iso 100 as possible.

 

[AgX]

Use 4 flashes of GNm45.

 

[John Koehrer]

^^^What AgX said. Going to be bulky. Another way would be resorting to flash bulbs, They're much brighter.

 

[williaty]

Kick it old school and use some magnesium powder up on top of a pole!

 

[darkroommike]

Why are you trying to shoot ISO 100? You could light that thing with a single flash if you used ISO 400.

 

[williaty]

1) Guide Numbers are spec'd at ISO 100 to prevent shady companies from rating their flashes at ISO 1600 (or something else high) and not telling the public about it. Used to be a thing.

2) ISO 400 film looks different to ISO 100 film. Often, ISO 100 film will be preferable.

 

[mgb74]

If you do decide to go with a Metz 60, which is not a bad choice, some comments on batteries.

Batteries on these are often shot. OEM batteries that fit inside the battery case are expensive. While they are a basic 6v lead acid battery, I have not found an inexpensive off the shelf battery that fits inside the case. Someone on ebay offers a LI-on battery that fits but expensive and requires a separate charger.

I built a simple "dummy" battery out of wood, wired to a $10 off the shelf lead acid battery. Works fine and uses the charger that came with the Metz. I use an old camera bag to hold the original case with this battery beside it. The battery I use is slightly bigger and slightly more capacity than the original. Still able to carry it while walking. I think you could use a larger 6v lead acid battery to gain more capacity, but will be heavier.

 

[GRHazelton]

The Pentax AF400T might do the job for you. Here's a link: http://www.pentaxforums.com/accessoryreviews/pentax-af-400t.html It is quite powerful and offers TTL if you have a Pentax camera with TTL. I've used it with my LX and it does a fine job. Be aware that it will go through 6 AA cells is short order, the answer is the shoulder power pack which uses 6 C cells. Don't think that you can just connect 6 C cells in a home brew case to the power pack connector; the power pack contains its own high volt power supply. You'd have to do something like Mgb74 described, but with a dummy AA cell.

 

[MattKing]

If you do decide to go with a Metz 60, which is not a bad choice, some comments on batteries.

Batteries on these are often shot. OEM batteries that fit inside the battery case are expensive. While they are a basic 6v lead acid battery, I have not found an inexpensive off the shelf battery that fits inside the case. Someone on ebay offers a LI-on battery that fits but expensive and requires a separate charger.

I agree with this, but the OEM dryfit batteries work really well, and they last a long time, so if you expect to use the flash for a while, they are a good "investment".
And the flashes are really good!
By the way, it is hard to light subjects that are in big empty rooms. Power helps, but reflective surfaces nearby help more.
Unless you want photos that look like Weegee crime scenre photos.

 

[AgX]

1) Guide Numbers are spec'd at ISO 100 to prevent shady companies from rating their flashes at ISO 1600 (or something else high) and not telling the public about it. Used to be a thing.

Early electronic flashes had their guide numbers based on 50 ASA.

 

[wiltw]

Quantum makes a very powerful unit. The Metz 60 is also very powerful, but the 20 years or so since it was current model is likely to make most examples 'ratty'...I have pristine Metz 45 units, owned since new in the early 1990s.

There is about 0.8EV power difference between the Metz 45 and 60.

 

[MattKing]

The Metz 60 CT-4 was manufactured by Metz up to 2006.

My older Metz 60 CT1 and 2 flashes still work great.

 

[mweintraub]

I have a Adorama Streaklight 360 (360w/s) "hotshoe" flash (Quantum type flash) and it's super powerful. Battery pack is off flash, so it makes things a little lighter.