Multiple Images / One Photo Using Several Flash "Pops"

Hi - I would like to make a photograph of a fencing master by

lowering the light level in his gym to barely visible, opening the

shutter, having the master perform a manouver, and during the

manouver, firing my flash several times so that multiple images are

captured on the single photograph, so that the exposure is all based

on the various "pops" from the flash. The effect that I envision is

5-15 different impressions of him on the single frame, as he goes

through the manouever.

I have an EOS 10d and can use any of a 380ex, 540ez, 550 ex or 580ex,

or a manually operated vivitar 285. The camera will be tripod

mounted. I want the background to go black, so I expect to use a

very small aperture.

My questions include: (1) can any of these flashes automatically

fire in a "strobe" - like fashion? (2) any suggestions for the set-

up / technique / etc.?

Thanks.

Greg

i have a new 550 ex and i seem to think that i saw somewhere in the literature a stoboscopic function. i'll have to look tonight.

for sure the Quantum X2 flash has an adjustable stroboscopic function.

haven't used this to be able to give you specifics...

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/text-digital-stroboscopy.html

i have a stroboscopic light that I use to track and balance props on aircraft and helicopter rotor blades in flight. I can make the blades appear to be motionless and at that point can read the RPM's of the blades and or see if an reflective target is traveling in the same plane. It would be a useful tool for your project as you can speed up or slow down the flash rate.

My quantum flash has the ability to adjust the flash rate designated in Hertz (hZ), or so many flashes per second. do a google search on high speed photography for many sources.

in one article that i looked at they used a large aperature..

http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-7.html

http://members.tripod.com/~pworkshop/stroboscopic.htm

This one gives some tips on settings.

The speedlight 550 EX has: "Stroboscopic Flash up to 100 consecutive bursts

at 1 to 199 flashes per second (Hz)" - http://www.canon.com.au/products/

cameras_lenses_accessories/speedlites/speedlite550ex.html

The 540 EZ has : "Stroboscopic Flash up to 100 consecutive bursts at 1 to 100

flashes per second (Hz)" - http://www.canon.com.au/products/

cameras_lenses_accessories/speedlites/speedlite540ez.html