At 22:26 12/9/02, Richard F. Man wrote in part:
I recall that my attempt to put a Lumiquest tiny lightbox in the front of
the F280 about 10 years weren't all that successful.
The smaller Lumiquest mini-softbox isn't much help. You need to use the
larger Softbox if using one at all. Even then, at distances greater than
about 20 feet even the larger one it doesn't make much difference unless
it's in a small space where the diffused light bounces off of walls and
ceiling. The larger one does make a clear difference when working in close
at about 10 feet (or less).
The choice is either a used Metz 40-MZ3i which I can get from keh.com, or
a new 54-MZ-5. The advantage of the new 54-MZ is that it is a "cobra"
design, which AFAIK, put the flash higher position for less chance of red
eye. Also, it supports High Speed Sync, for OTHER cameras such as the M7.
The 40-MZ3 is smaller, and costs $100 less.
Mostly it's a choice between the features you mention. I've used the 40 MZ
in the hot shoe, just as I have a T-32 and never had a red-eye
problem. That said, I've also put the flash on a bracket, either handle or
camera rotator, under conditions of highest risk (wedding receptions are my
#1 red-eye risk).
On top of that, I will probably pick up the Stroboframe camera flip
bracket, the Newton Camera one seems a bit too heavy and more expensive.
This will allow vertical portraits w/o the annoying side shadows.
In the Grand Scheme of Things, the Newton 7000 is no heavier. It's made
out of extremely light weight aircraft aluminum alloy and is very
strong. Once you add camera body, lens, flash, film and put batteries in
the flash, the difference in weight between the two is negligible. The
Newton is more costly, but it's also a camera rotator with a hand grip, so
I would expect it to be. It is lighter than the equivalent Stroboframe
camera rotator, but the Grand Scheme of Things remark I already made
applies to this difference too.
So... given that I will get the Stroboframe, would it make a difference
between the 54-MZ and the 40-MZ? Or should I just stay with the F280? I
guess I will sell the F280 if I get the Metz's. Hope I don't lose money :-)
If you get a flip flash type bracket, get a cobra style flash for it. The
ones I looked at and considered defy adjustment for a low profile flash to
keep the flash tube directly above the lens in both position.
Bottom line is making certain whatever you spend your hard earned $$$ on
works well for you in weight, balance, and agility in handling the rig as a
system. While I use a side mounted potato masher or camera rotator
(depends on what I'm doing) and prefer these, I also know many others who
use the flip style and it seems to work well for them.
-- John
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