3rd party battery packs for flash
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JasonRS
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http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=525726
was a brief guide and others experience of doing this.
However, if using an external pack you must be careful not to overuse the flash (check the hand book of the flash for the recommended number of flashes and rest period). As the external battery packs can recycle considerably quicker than standard batteries it is possible to damage the flash by flashing too much too quickly. Later models of Canon flash (the 580EX II for example) have a limiter to detect heat build up in the flash head and stop it from firing if the heat has reached a critical level.
I have three packs that I use regularly but managed to kill a 430EX at the weekend by firing too fast for too long. You can do this using standard batteries as well but it is a bit easier to do with the quicker recycling of the external pack.
John
was a brief guide and others experience of doing this.
However, if using an external pack you must be careful not to overuse the flash (check the hand book of the flash for the recommended number of flashes and rest period). As the external battery packs can recycle considerably quicker than standard batteries it is possible to damage the flash by flashing too much too quickly. Later models of Canon flash (the 580EX II for example) have a limiter to detect heat build up in the flash head and stop it from firing if the heat has reached a critical level.
I have three packs that I use regularly but managed to kill a 430EX at the weekend by firing too fast for too long. You can do this using standard batteries as well but it is a bit easier to do with the quicker recycling of the external pack.
John
JasonRS
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The 6v pack is unlikely to increase the recycle time, you need the external high voltage pack for that.
Mart77, if you're looking at building one of those packs, you'll also need this link for the battery holders (worth having spares anyway)
http://www.uscamera.com/283.htm
BTW, I've also ordered the replacement hotshoes as the vivitar PC socket is a PITA with its special conector.
Mart77, if you're looking at building one of those packs, you'll also need this link for the battery holders (worth having spares anyway)
http://www.uscamera.com/283.htm
BTW, I've also ordered the replacement hotshoes as the vivitar PC socket is a PITA with its special conector.
JasonRS
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I built it, but made a few changes.
Mine's has the battery in box, with an on/off switch and a removable secure power cable connection like the Al Jacobs black boxes (which I found after I'd built mine)
http://www.aljacobs.com/THE BLACK BOX.htm
I've an idea for V2 which will have a wireless trigger built into the box (I need a bigger box though, as mine are just too tight inside for the trigger and 3v stepdown circuit). I also think I'm going to add a strap.
I've also modified the flash differently.
I opened the unit up, drilled through the side and have soldered the power connector to the battery terminals inside, so it has a cable that runs out of the side of the unit. If I can find a case mount connector that will fit in the tiny available space, I'll change this later.
This means I can put batteries in if required, and haven't hacked the battery door.
After looking into the official external power sources they all require batteries to be fitted into the unit when on external power, and I've also found that having batteries in when the external power is on does lead to increased recycle times.
I left the until connected up, and powered up for about 3 hours, with no issues and then fired off 20 consective full power shots as quickly as the flash hit full charge with no build up of heat in the unit.
Cost wise it's about £30 and half an hours work as it's not exactly complex wiring!
SLA Battery £10
Case £3
Switch £2
Connectors £12 (these could be a lot cheaper, but I wanted secure ones that latch in place)
Cable £6 for 10 metres
charger was around £10 too, and I added a connector to go onto the box removing the need ot open it for charging.
I've built 2, and tomorrow is their first outing on an outdoor portrait shoot.
If I get time later, I'll take some shots of the boxes (they're not very exciting though)
Mine's has the battery in box, with an on/off switch and a removable secure power cable connection like the Al Jacobs black boxes (which I found after I'd built mine)
http://www.aljacobs.com/THE BLACK BOX.htm
I've an idea for V2 which will have a wireless trigger built into the box (I need a bigger box though, as mine are just too tight inside for the trigger and 3v stepdown circuit). I also think I'm going to add a strap.
I've also modified the flash differently.
I opened the unit up, drilled through the side and have soldered the power connector to the battery terminals inside, so it has a cable that runs out of the side of the unit. If I can find a case mount connector that will fit in the tiny available space, I'll change this later.
This means I can put batteries in if required, and haven't hacked the battery door.
After looking into the official external power sources they all require batteries to be fitted into the unit when on external power, and I've also found that having batteries in when the external power is on does lead to increased recycle times.
I left the until connected up, and powered up for about 3 hours, with no issues and then fired off 20 consective full power shots as quickly as the flash hit full charge with no build up of heat in the unit.
Cost wise it's about £30 and half an hours work as it's not exactly complex wiring!
SLA Battery £10
Case £3
Switch £2
Connectors £12 (these could be a lot cheaper, but I wanted secure ones that latch in place)
Cable £6 for 10 metres
charger was around £10 too, and I added a connector to go onto the box removing the need ot open it for charging.
I've built 2, and tomorrow is their first outing on an outdoor portrait shoot.
If I get time later, I'll take some shots of the boxes (they're not very exciting though)