Canon Speedlite 580 EX II & Hoya Close Up Filter +4
As most photography freaks would know, getting yourself a dSLR (In my case, it’s a Canon EOS 40D.) is only the beginning of more splurging.
After six months, I finally saved enough to get myself the Canon Speedlite 580 EX II. Yes, the flash gun that could fire up to 13m, according to the technical specification.
It adds extra (a lot of) weight to my already heavy camera but with a flash gun attached, night shots would be much easier. It’s going to take some time to learn how to use it effectively though.
Chong, does my camera still looked small? LOL. Honestly, I still feel it’s small but the weight, is quite a bit.
Three test shot of my Chevrolet 2008 Concept Camaro cum Bumblebee.
Robin introduced to me the Hoya close up filter +4 some time back and I was tempted to get one. With my kit lens minimum focusing distance fixed at 45cm, a close up filter could really close the gap and allow me to focus even closer than before. As I don’t have the budget for a macro lens, a close up filter would be good for the mean time. However, I noticed the sharpness and picture quality have dropped a little. For RM84, I am not complaining.
Focused at 85mm (136mm on full frame) without close up filter.
Focused at 85mm (136mm on full frame) with close up filter.
That aside, again, million thanks to Bryan for allowing me to defer his debt payment and buy my flash gun first.
Yes, that is about it for my camera gadgets, for now. I want to travel, really.
Related posts:
- My Canon EOS 40D
- Error 01 : Communication Error
- B+W Circular Polarizer Filter (A Gift From A Friend)
- My Desperate Attempt To Buy UWA Lens
- RM480 Spectacles
June 16th, 2008 00:11
Man, of all the things u could use for macro subject you choose a calculator….
what a true engineer u are LOL LOL…
Macro filter may never replace a macro lens, but hey, for now, im thinking it will benefit you a lot, since you are a food pornographer.
It will come in handy if you want to expose some textures or something really close up.
Yerrrr… external flash.. so syok… i want one too… T__T
June 16th, 2008 00:15
Yeng lor, so big, so heavy! Travel??? Bolehhh, we go together gether. You can choose the destination but not your partner!
June 16th, 2008 00:26
Yooo..
Speedlite 580 EX II omgggggg..
do u have any suggestion for my 400D lens? lol~
June 16th, 2008 09:46
woot 6850 EXII arrhhhhhh
i want it too~~
so the hoya +4 close up filter is quite decent? worth getting it?
June 16th, 2008 09:49
Wooo.. congratulations on your new additions!! Next thing you need is an ST-E2 transmitter!! woo hoo!!…
WenJing… try the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 lens.
June 16th, 2008 10:28
With that, it looks more macho. Hehe.
However, I think your hands are meant for Canon EOS 1D series. :P
June 16th, 2008 10:32
I can see some dusts, so I consider the close up lens pass lah. Haha…
Robin, yea food pornographer! LoL…
June 16th, 2008 11:21
Wow. Congratulation of getting it. ^.^ So this is the cheaper alternative for getting a macro lense eh. RM85 doesn’t seems cheap. Lolx. How much you get for the flash gun?
June 16th, 2008 12:26
How much is the total including all the accessories?
June 16th, 2008 13:18
580ex II is great! XD
June 16th, 2008 17:01
more reason to spend more money haha. need to get some flash diffuser soon. :P
June 16th, 2008 23:30
Robin : I wanted to choose a 50 cent coin, but it leaves a lot of empty spaces around. Hence, the switch. I went to eat today, but I left my filter at home. LOL.
Jamie : Nobody’s inviting you. :P
Wen_Jing : What do you plan to shoot more?
Hungryping : Hehe. For the price, I am not complaining. Its a cheap way to get near macro shot.
Kamkuey : Probably later, once I really know how to use the flash. Then, I shall look into wireless flash photography.
Chong : But my wallet isn’t meant for 1D.
Bryan : I think the dusts are on the calculator, not the filter. I think.
Shinky : A macro lens is around RM2k, RM84 is really nothing, if you ask me.
Emotionalistic : A lot. Haha. Reply you in MSN?
Allen : I know, that’s why its on my camera. :P
Xin : Haha. The more I buy, the more I spend.
June 17th, 2008 09:36
Ofcoz it’s on the calc lah, otherwise I consider you fail as a pornographer as Robin said. Haha…
June 17th, 2008 21:35
Bryan : Hehe. Thought you talking about the filter mah. :P
June 18th, 2008 21:18
Hmmm more like shooting random stuffs :P
Food, scenery, watever..
Mikel and Kamkuey suggested me 50mm 1.8 prime lens, what’s ur opinion? ^^
June 20th, 2008 13:29
Hoho, pro turning more pro lar with this flash gun! When wanna get 30mm f2.8?
June 21st, 2008 14:00
580 EX II … erm…great speed light…
June 21st, 2008 15:51
I’m still on my way to get 580 EX II… Hehehe.. Tried Allen’s and yah.. I love the outcome :)
June 21st, 2008 19:03
Wen Jing : Forgot to reply your comment. Haha. I am suggesting you get the 17-85mm, which is decent enough for everything. I am using the same lens as well. However, its F4, a little slow.
Neo : Haha. No money. Even if I do, I would prefer to spend it on traveling first. And even if I still do, I would buy a tele lens instead.
鈧凯 : Thank you. :D Top of the line flash gun.
Ah Lost : Haha. Getting it is one thing, learning how to use it effectively is a whole new ball game.
June 21st, 2008 23:23
Haha.. yaya.. I’m still studying my 400D babe.. tsk tsk..
June 21st, 2008 23:31
Ahlost : Haha. Shoot more and you will have a basic idea of your camera. ;)
June 23rd, 2008 14:36
Ops. I actually meant 300mm f2.8.
June 23rd, 2008 14:38
Neo : 300mm?!?! LOL. I rather buy a car then.
September 26th, 2008 14:39
i wanna buy an external flash for my canon 400d but my budget is only RM500. can u recommend for me?
September 26th, 2008 14:41
Kristy : RM500 for a brand new flash? Impossible. Even if its second hand, I doubt you can buy any. Increase your budget to RM1000, then you can consider the Speedlite 430.
November 19th, 2008 12:30
Nice article on the Hoya filters, thanks for the info. I am also the proud owner of a 40D and have just purchased the 3 pack of Hoya close up filters to go on the kit 17-85mm lens.
One of the speedlights is certainly on the shopping list when I get the money, the macro shots of that car are a great example of why I need one.
November 19th, 2008 15:13
Andreas Koepke : Haha. The speedlight is a must when you want to advance your skill to a higher level. Hope that you will get yours soon! :D