Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

Im a photojournalist, that sometimes does quick and dirty corporate type shoots on the go, no time to set up the Elinchrom's so to speak.

Currently I use on-camera a 580EX with my 5D, Ive used every modifier available for the 580EX, Demb flash diffuser, Gary Fong Lightsphere, Sto-Fen ect. and dont really care for most of them, I'm looking for a more studio quality hot shoe mounted light, hence the QFlash Trio, Ive not yet had a chance to try one personally, and Ive found very little info/reviews on it, most probably due to it's only being available for 6 months or so.

Users of the QFlash Trio, how would you compare this flash's light quality & power output compared to your 580EX/SB800 or SB900 mounted on your DSLR.

Also how is it with group shots compared to the speedlights (whats it's widest coverage on FF)

Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

I had never heard of this, so I checked it out on B&H.

Wow! Almost $900 for a single hot-shoe flash? That's a bunch of money. I am certainly interested to see what owners say, if there are any here.

I just used the latest Gary Fong Lightsphere + white cup on a 580EX, and it worked very well for me. It was a loaner, but I have since been leaning towards a 580EX II and the Lightsphere kit with the different cups (white, tungsten and chrome). All together, I should be able to spend less than $600 with the current Canon rebate.

Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

Once you go bare bulb, you never want to go back. I love my Sunpak 120J. Oh, how I wish it had ETTLII. When I can afford the Trio, I'll be buying it.

Hope someone out there has experience with it.

Mark

Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by clemmb

Once you go bare bulb, you never want to go back. I love my Sunpak 120J. Oh, how I wish it had ETTLII. When I can afford the Trio, I'll be buying it.

Hope someone out there has experience with it.

Mark

You mean shooting bare bulb without a diffuser? whats that look like on skin tones?

Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"]

Shooting bare bulb without a diffuser but with a <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"]parabolic reflector. <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"]Skin tones are great. Here is an example. XTi, ISO100, AWB, 24-105f4@55mm, f8, 1/50. Sunpak 120J off camera. PSE6.0 for crop and reduced for web only.

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Mark

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Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

Very nice Mark, I think I'd like getting into the bare bulb thing, still hoping for some input from users of this QFlash Trio, This weekend I'll go down to Samys Camera in L.A. and try one out, I'll give feedback once I do, thanks for the example.

-Thomas

Re: Quantum Instruments Qflash TRIO vs 580EX/SB900 ?

p i e c e o f c a k e

Simply the best choice if money is not your concern. Nearly 10000 shots with a single Turbo 2x2 battery. 1 sec recycling full power in manual, so, shooting auto you get endless burst shooting, without burning flash head fears. Flash head is 5" diameter, so light is beautiful enough not to have any diffuser on it. Full ETTL-II , AND, an special feature, auto fill light, very helpful, avoiding burning subjets when background are too bright of far. Solid built, fast setup, easy menu navigation, AND, and, if you spend another grand, you get the most wonderful wireless TTL flash system on the market, whether you get another trio or a Q5T instead, like my new trio and my two old Q5Tr wirelessly triggered, and both managed from the Trio on the camera hot shoe.