550ex and stoffen diffusers. Do they increase battery drain?

[carl_weller]

I've been using a stoffen omnibounce diffuser on a 550ex speedlite

for the past few months and am not even getting the minimum 100 shots

canon refers to in the manual - using energiser max batteries, so no

cheapies here.

 

I know that the omnibounce reduces flash output by 2 stops, which

would then increase the necessary flash output for any given exposure

in energy terms.

 

Do any of you have a similar problem with omnibounce and high battery

usage?

 

regards,

 

Carl

[chip]

Hi Carl,

 

Any device that diffuses the flash's output makes your flash less efficient than when used in direct mode. To make up for this the flash has to output more light and hence uses more juice. The Omnibounce when used correctly as directed in the instruction sheet is one of the most inefficient light softeners available. The reason is that when used as directed it relies on having a small white room with low ceilings to spread the light around your subject. IF you don't have a small white room with low ceilings you will never get enough light of the right color on the subject and you will tend to have underexposed images. IF you shoot print films this is less of a problem due to the wide latitude of print film. The much more effective Lumiquest type diffuser that bounces and diffuses the light within the diffuser attachment itself doesn't have the same limitations as the Omnibounce to be effective and is more usefull more of the time.

 

HTH

[digitmstr]

If the manufacturer gives a min. number that figure is calculated under ideal conditions and WITHOUT any light absorbing accessories. Therefore, it would make sense if you were getting less than the manuf. min.

 

I use the omni bounce with my 420 and the Ultrabounce with my 550 but, I haven't noticed a considerable difference. In any case I would suggest (regardless of accessories used) you look into buying some good rechargeable batteries. I use the Powerex 2200 and I love them. The guys at Maha energy are really great to deal with and just recently they have replaced two batteries that went dead on me for free. You will save quite a bit of cash that way.

[jim_larson1]

Which is why I always use rechargable batteries in my flash. . .

 

Sure, I don't get anywhere near 100 shots per charge. . .

 

. . .but I also don't care. I just pop in a fresh set of rechargeables and throw the worn out set back into the charger. . .

I have about 5 sets of rechargeables. They rotate between CD players, GPS gizmos, labelers and my 550EX flash.

 

The only thing I don't use them for is for batteries in my mouse :)

[vincent_j_m]

I never use alkalines. The flash recycle is too slow and their life is limited. If you want longer life use lithium AA's. I use NiMH rechargeables and they are ideal for flashes. No worries about number of flashes, and recycle time is very fast.

[jeffwros]

I use the 550EX with the Stofen + Energizer NiMH batteries and

have been pleased with the combo. I used the combo a few

weeks ago and got nearly 400 shots at an event without having

to change batteries. The cycle time was great throughout. The

only time I notice it using a lot of juice is when I stop down

...something I rarely do when in a situation where I need a flash.

 

I'll take these rechargeable batteries over Alkalines anyday! I

saw 'em at Sam's last week: 8 for $19.95. In my experience with

the 550 eight of these batteries have been more than enough to

get me through any event.

 

Your milage may vary, but, there's my 2 cents. :)

[pradeep1]

This might sound funny but i am as suprised too, before i started using the omnibounce on my 420EX i used to drain batteries a lot, but with the omnibounce even alkaline batteries dont dry very easily :)