I recently go to play with the Falcon Eyes MF-45 which is sold by Aperture Trading.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f215/misterkodaker/Portrait.jpg

I have posted the light set up used and other sample shots using the MF-45 at my blog.

http://web.mac.com/misterkodaker/iWeb/Jo%20Avila/Blog/E810EF7B-D701-4A2D-B0A5-DA659CC18C2C.html

Cheers!

Jo Avila

Hi Sir Jo,

How about the durability? Will it last like those expensive strobes? Thanks

Yes and no. My Visatecs are pretty banged up from travelling all over the country and around Metro Manila. The aluminun housing already has dents in certain places. That's what I get for entrusting them to baggage handlers.

But these strobes are so small that four of them along with their clamps would fit in a small overnight bag. Conceivably, you could just put them in your hand carry when travelling by plane.

The housing is plastic. This is definitely for home use or for those times where a small portable strobe works best. These strobes use a standard household bulb thread. I could attach them to some light sockets when doing photographing the interiors of some houses :D

But you just have to love the price. I would have to buy eight to ten kits (strobe, swiveling clamps, umbrella, light stand) before their total cost would approximate that of a camera hot shoe mounted flash.

A definite bonus about these strobes is that they're cheap. Any hobbyist could buy a couple of the kits and still purchase a generic IR trigger and a decent incident lightmeter without having to spend a lot of cash.

Thank you sir, How do I control the strobe? My camera is a D80, can it be controlled using my camera in commander mode? or should I buy another peripheral to control the device.

You may trigger the strobe by using a generic IR trigger that mounts on your camera hot shoe. The strobe doesn't have a power ratio feature. You may control the power output by moving the light closer or further away from the subject.

Or you could try a layer or two of tracing paper over the strobe :D

I used an umbrella to soften the light for the shot of my daughter. You can estimate the distance based on the light set up shot in my blog. I shot at ISO 100 with an f/stop of f/9.

How much would one set of these cost?

How much would one set of these cost?

I saw the price already by visitng your blog......thanks for the info:)

Well said sir. I don't have an IR trigger. How much would that cost? Any recommendations?

I haven't tried falcon eyes but I'm using small strobe too. I have 5 of them in my luggage bag. compact strobes are great for location shoots.

A generic IR trigger should cost about P1.5k (the last time I had to purchase one anyway :D).

mr.jo

will you be also demonstrating this cheap set in your seminar this july? hehe

I already have a relatively cheap Falcon Eyes set (P14k) at my studio which I regularly use for demo purposes. Its just that this kit is even cheaper. LOL!

I'm going to call up Frank ASAP and order myself a kit. I'll probably use if for my wedding shoot this Saturday :D

many thanks for sharing... i myself want to take shots with ambient light only...

Hmmmm... it is possible to buy the strobe head only of the MF-45.

I have a wooden frame made and attach household light sockets around the perimeter of the frame (8, 12 or 16?). It should fairly simple to do a series or parallel electrical connection among all of the sockets. The frame could then be mounted on lightstands or a tripod.

The whole DIY thing could be used as a ringlight if I shot a portrait through the frame.

The catchlight in the subject's eyes should be interesting. :D

The MF-45 has a GN rating of roughly 20 (meters)/64 (feet) at ISO 100.

I would need an opening of f/6.3 at ISO 100 if the light were positioned ten feet away from the subject.

Twelve strobes used together should allow me to use a lens opening of roughly f/22.

I could further control the power ratio by attaching a switch to each light socket. Flash exposure could be based on cumulative GN.

This is starting to look good.

It's either that or I'm simply bored right now and have nothing else to think about :D

I was wondering if a couple of these are powerful enough to shoot through softboxes for full body shots (i.e. Amateur Set+Fashion shoots)?:Grin:

I think so. I am currently working on a DIY setup just for that purpose using these strobes :D

Thank you, sir.

Hi sir Jo! I'm really interested in getting this lights but I don't have an IR trigger... and I don't think there is any available for the sony alpha. Is there a way to use this without an IR trigger?

Many thanks :)

Hi sir Jo! I'm really interested in getting this lights but I don't have an IR trigger... and I don't think there is any available for the sony alpha. Is there a way to use this without an IR trigger?

Many thanks :)


Wireless IR (infrared) Studio Flash Commander (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16696&cat=256&page=1)

and

Flash Hot Shoe Adapter f/ Minolta/Sony Alpha as FS-1100 (http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16548&cat=275&page=1)

thanks Alfred! would you know if this is available in the Philippines? :)

I am not thoroughly familiar with the Sony Alpha. But generic IR triggers will work with any camera that has a standard hotshoe.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

P.S.

Or, a camera's built-in or pop up flash can also trigger the slave sensor of the MF-45. Just weaken the flash burst of the built-in flash by putting a diffusing material (i.e. handkerchief, tracing paper, etc.) over it :D

Hi sir Jo! I'm really interested in getting this lights but I don't have an IR trigger... and I don't think there is any available for the sony alpha. Is there a way to use this without an IR trigger?

Many thanks :)

You may trigger the strobe by using a generic IR trigger that mounts on your camera hot shoe. The strobe doesn't have a power ratio feature. You may control the power output by moving the light closer or further away from the subject.

Or you could try a layer or two of tracing paper over the strobe :D

I used an umbrella to soften the light for the shot of my daughter. You can estimate the distance based on the light set up shot in my blog. I shot at ISO 100 with an f/stop of f/9.

A flash/light meter will help. Right, sir Jo? :)

thanks Alfred! would you know if this is available in the Philippines? :)

Dunno... but I just ordered a few items from them... shipping was $8.00. I also told them to under declare the value (not like I really ordered much anyway). I should get the items next week (cheapo radio trigger and receivers)...

Well said sir. I don't have an IR trigger. How much would that cost? Any recommendations?

Cezar,

You may not need an IR trigger since your built-in flash can trigger the lights (just set it at a lower output). I used mine before with some masking tape to cover the actual flash).

Although sometimes depending on the angle, it might not work (that's the time I bring out the old SB50dx to trigger the lights)

Sir Jo,question lang. How many of this lights would i be needing for a basic portrait shots wd effect and maybe whole body also

@ Sherwin

An incident lightmeter would definitely help you :D

@ Erick

What effects are you referring to? I only used one light for the portrait of my daughter :D

Whole body portrait? At least two lights should suffice. Three lights would be great.

But practice and master first what you can accomplish with a single light source.

Jo AvilaHmmmm... it is possible to buy the strobe head only of the MF-45.


how much is the cost of the strobe head only(does it looks like an ordinary bulb)?

Jo Avila

how much is the cost of the strobe head only(does it looks like an ordinary bulb)?

for the bulb only i guess it is 250 in hidalgo and for the whole flash 1500

Jo Avila
I have a wooden frame made and attach household light sockets around the perimeter of the frame (8, 12 or 16?). It should fairly simple to do a series or parallel electrical connection among all of the sockets. The frame could then be mounted on lightstands or a tripod.

The whole DIY thing could be used as a ringlight if I shot a portrait through the frame.

The catchlight in the subject's eyes should be interesting. http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/images/smilies/Drogar-Laugh%28DBG%29.gif

Michael Jayson Sangalang
for the bulb only i guess it is 250 in hidalgo and for the whole flash 1500

if i have the bulbs (say 8 bulbs) wired as described by Jo, what else do i need to trigger it as a strobe?

how much is the cost of the strobe head only(does it looks like an ordinary bulb)?

MF-45 flash only is P900 at Aperture. Yes, it looks much like an ordinary bulb.

Just bought one this morning. 'Am at my wits end on what setting to use and how to position it properly to get good result. Doesn't seem to make any difference no matter what I do. :Dum:

@ Jeny

Shutter speed won't affect the exposure if you are shooting purely with flash.

Use the GN of the flash to compute for what aperture or f/stop you need to set on your camera.

@ Jeny

thank you for the information.

@ Jeny

Shutter speed won't affect the exposure if you are shooting purely with flash.

Use the GN of the flash to compute for what aperture or f/stop you need to set on your camera.


Thanks! Sir Jo. Will definitely try that later. 'Was actually contemplating on attending one of your classes to ask you about the set-up. :Grin:

@Rudy, you're welcome. :)

@Jeny

hope you can post some pictures using the MF-45 flash later.

I am not thoroughly familiar with the Sony Alpha. But generic IR triggers will work with any camera that has a standard hotshoe.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

P.S.

Or, a camera's built-in or pop up flash can also trigger the slave sensor of the MF-45. Just weaken the flash burst of the built-in flash by putting a diffusing material (i.e. handkerchief, tracing paper, etc.) over it :D

THank you sir Jo! Is this still available in aperture trading? does the strobe come with a stand and a reflector? :)

@ Christian

I'm pretty sure that the strobehead itself is still in stock. Although Frank ran out of lightstands for it. But his stock of lightstands should already have been replenished by now.

The kit includes the MF-45 strobe, a swivel head that allows you to attach a umbrella to it, the light stand that supports the swivel head and the MF-45 and a small shoot through umbrella.

The AC cord is attached to the swivel head. The power switch is also on the swivel head.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

thank you sir Jo! :)

http://www.yen-s.com/one/S45T_01_360.jpg

does it looks like this?

The swivel clamp is similar. But the MF-45 has an all back body.

Pretty much.

@ Jo, Jeny

thank you.

Good news guys. Frank Tsai of Aperture has agreed to sponsor a lighting seminar for those who wish to use the MF-45.

This is a free seminar :D

Let me just double check my schedule. It will most probably be in June.

Great! Hope it's on a Saturday. :)

It will most likely NOT be on a Saturday :D

So when is it sir Jo?

It will most likely NOT be on a Saturday :D


:( oh well... will just wait for your announcement. Hope I'll be able to attend.

Just give me a little while longer to sort my schedule for June.

I think that its high time I give another free seminar as a way of contributing to the local photo community.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

Was finally able to get a decent picture with the MF-45 using an IR trigger that we purchased recently. Couldn't figure out how to get it to work with our flash (SB550EX). Still don't know how... :Dum:

Will be using th MF-45 in our debut shoot tomorrow. Cross my fingers.

Looking forward to th seminar!

would Aperture know how long will the MF-45 last (in terms of average number of flashes)?

The preflash of the 580EX prematurely triggers the slave sensor of the MF-45.

(SB is the usual flash prefix designation of Nikon for its camera flash units. 580ex is a Canon model designation. So is the flash that you are referring to Canon or Nikon or Cakon or Ninon? :D)

Try changing the flash shooting mode of the 580ex from TTL to full Manual.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

Was finally able to get a decent picture with the MF-45 using an IR trigger that we purchased recently. Couldn't figure out how to get it to work with our flash (SB550EX). Still don't know how... :Dum:

Will be using th MF-45 in our debut shoot tomorrow. Cross my fingers.

Looking forward to th seminar!

You had better contact Aperture directly to get the correct info :D

Cheers!

Jo Avila

would Aperture know how long will the MF-45 last (in terms of average number of flashes)?

The preflash of the 580EX prematurely triggers the slave sensor of the MF-45.

(SB is the usual flash prefix designation of Nikon for its camera flash units. 580ex is a Canon model designation. So is the flash that you are referring to Canon or Nikon or Cakon or Ninon? :D)

Try changing the flash shooting mode of the 580ex from TTL to full Manual.

Cheers!

Jo Avila


It's a Canon, sir Jo.

Will try as you suggested. Thank you SO much! :Grin:

@michael jayson sangalang

for the bulb only i guess it is 250 in hidalgo and for the whole flash 1500

is the ph250 bulb, the replacement lamp(if it is replaceable) inside the MF-45?

@michael jayson sangalang



is the ph250 bulb, the replacement lamp(if it is replaceable) inside the MF-45?

The MF-45 does not have a bulb, as per Aperture CS.

The MF-45 has a flash tube :D

Cheers!

Jo Avila

for id should i use one or two MF-45 as background lighting(to get a very white background using white cotton curtain) and use the buit-in flash of canon 300d as main and get a decent id picture?

@ Rudy

You might need to use an accessory flash set on Manual mode. The camera flash emits a pre-flash that prematurely triggers the optical slave sensor of the MF-45.

We've done the combo set up you've described with an accessory flash and one (1) MF-45. But we switched the flash to manual shooting mode to get rid of the pre-flash.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

@Jo

thanks Jo for the reply.

Sir Jo, are you using these strobes in your studio? I'll probably be in manila this june and I was hoping to see how these strobes do. :)

@ Christian

Frank Tsai of Aperture said that he would be sending a demo unit to my studio.

sir Jo that sounds great! I'm really interested in getting this strobe but I'd like to see how they do first. I'll actually be staying near banawe when I'm in manila. Can i visit your studio when you get the strobes? :)

@ Christian

Okay lang. I'll follow up with Frank when he will send the demo unit.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

thanks sir Jo! timing din kase my friend is thinking of joining one of your workshops :)

Hello Sir Jo,

I am planning on taking your advice. I have a project this Saturday to take pictures of a resto-bar. They plan to use the pictures for brochures and pin-up posters. Since not all sections of the resto-bar ae well-lt, I plane to use 2 MF 45s to light the place. Do you think this would be enough. The bar is quite small.

Also, one last question: Would the IR on the pop-up flash of a 300d or 350d trigger the MF 45? I also have a 420ex and a 430ex. Would these also trigger the MF 45 or would I have to buy a separate trigger?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Sir Jo,

I am planning on taking your advice. I have a project this Saturday to take pictures of a resto-bar. They plan to use the pictures for brochures and pin-up posters. Since not all sections of the resto-bar ae well-lt, I plane to use 2 MF 45s to light the place. Do you think this would be enough. The bar is quite small.

Also, one last question: Would the IR on the pop-up flash of a 300d or 350d trigger the MF 45? I also have a 420ex and a 430ex. Would these also trigger the MF 45 or would I have to buy a separate trigger?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I like to share my NFO for the above : Yes UR pop-up flash can trigger the strobes but it will be delay. The pop-up flash will fire 1st and the strobes will be dalay for brief secs. unless U set UR shutter to a slower speed or synchronize them:)

I like to share my NFO for the above : Yes UR pop-up flash can trigger the strobes but it will be delay. The pop-up flash will fire 1st and the strobes will be dalay for brief secs. unless U set UR shutter to a slower speed or synchronize them:)

I don't think that the delay will be noticeable, remember, it's just a fraction of a sec, so setting the shutter speed slower to catch the output of the strobes will not be necessary. prolonging the exposure will emit more ambient light rather.:)

Hi Diego and Richmon.

Thank you very much for this. I have one question still. How do I synchronize the pop-up or my 420ex and 430ex with the MF-45?

Thanks again!

Hi Diego and Richmon.

Thank you very much for this. I have one question still. How do I synchronize the pop-up or my 420ex and 430ex with the MF-45?

Thanks again!

the 420 and 430ex was designed to be a slave for the master flash 550 and 580ex flashes, so it means it can't be triggered by your pop up directly. however, you can buy one or two of those salve sensors with hot shoe and attach it to your flashes. it can now be triggered by your pop up flash or via IR trigger together with the MF-45:)

Hi Richmon.

Thanks so much. Will definitely buy the MF-45s.

here's how it looks like

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3441/6a9c1hz5.jpg

if your familiar with the strobist, they use a lot of these and multiple flashes.
results were like using strobes.

I don't think that the delay will be noticeable, remember, it's just a fraction of a sec, so setting the shutter speed slower to catch the output of the strobes will not be necessary. prolonging the exposure will emit more ambient light rather.:)

Im sorry, I beg to disagree.. I experimented on it once and the output was that as if I only used the pop-up flash. The slave was virtually useless. The slave flash fired but it was not noticeble in the pictures. The surrounding was still dark but the main subject was illuminated with a harsh lights and shadows. The final output came out as if only the built-in flash was used. But when I used the IR trigger it was different. The ligthing came out as I wanted it to be. BTW I use a D40 with flash synchronization speed of 1/500 sec:)

Im sorry, I beg to disagree.. I experimented on it once and the output was that as if I only used the pop-up flash. The slave was virtually useless. The slave flash fired but it was not noticeble in the pictures. The surrounding was still dark but the main subject was illuminated with a harsh lights and shadows. The final output came out as if only the built-in flash was used. But when I used the IR trigger it was different. The ligthing came out as I wanted it to be. BTW I use a D40 with flash synchronization speed of 1/500 sec:)
well, I believe the strobe didn't fire at all that's why it was useless. sometimes using the pop up flash to trigger the strobes that has IR sensor does not work accurately. I even tested it using my strobe at home and used my external flash to trigger the strobe, it didn't give me accurate burst. when I used the IR trigger, my problem was solved already. it's not because of the delay.

Camera flash units (built-in or accessory hotshoe mounted units) emit a pre-flash prior to the actual flash burst. The pre-flash prematurely triggers the studio studio strobe.

I don't think you can shut off the pre-flash of the pop up flash. But you can on a hotshoe mounted flash unit. Set the flash to Manual and select the lowest power ratio setting. Point the flash up or away from the subject.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

I like to share my NFO for the above : Yes UR pop-up flash can trigger the strobes but it will be delay. The pop-up flash will fire 1st and the strobes will be dalay for brief secs. unless U set UR shutter to a slower speed or synchronize them:)

Naaah ..... :D Once again, it's the pre-flash that prematurely triggers the studio strobes. You can't shut off the pre-flash if you are using a pop up flash.

I don't recommend changing the shutter speed.

Shutter speed doesn't affect flash exposure (well, it does actually on digital point & shoot cameras - but that's a different story). Using a slower shutter speed might result in an unwanted increase of ambient light which might affect the exposure of the image. Not to mention affecting the color cast of the image since existing artificial light sources present in the shooting environment have a different color temperature from your strobes.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

yeah i think its coz ur pop up flash is set to TTL

what TTL does is trigger a bunch of flashes... one to check for exposure and another one that is set to the right exposure that is actually used to take the picture

this is the same misconception as nikon users thinking that they can trigger flashes in commander mode... that technology is exclusive to i-TTL flashunits which is based on triggering multiple flashes to check for exposure and trigger multiple i-TTL strobes...

if u set ur flash to MANUAL... only one flash will be triggered... so the flash will trigger the strobe at the correct time.... if its set to TTL... the FIRST PREFLASH THAT CHECKS EXPOSURE will trigger the flash... and when the SECOND TTL flash fires to take the actual picture... the strobe will no longer fire again since it was already fired by the PREFLASH

i have a question tho... how strong is the MF-45 compared to a Speedlight? I think its a lot more cost effective to go strobist (using speedlights as off-camera strobes set to manual mounted on lightstands with umbrellas) if you already have multiple speedlight flashheads... the MF-45 will really work the same way as a speedlight (even old sb-28s or something)... the question lang is which is stronger...

see www.strobist.blogspot.com

@ Raph

Good question. It depends on the speedlight :D

I measured the GN of the MF-45. I think that it's GN is GN 65 (feet/ISO 100).

I'll recheck the GN tomorrow when I get back to my studio.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

rockwell's measured manual guide numbers, in feet at EI 100, for an SB-28 in an ordinary light walled room about 12 x 16 x 8,' measured at 10:'

Bounced off ceiling: 28-40
Lumi-Quest diffuser: 40 (in top photo)
20mm setting: 56 - 1/3
24mm setting: 80 -1/3
28mm setting: 80 -1/6
35mm setting: 80
50mm setting: 110 -1/3
70mm setting: 110
85mm setting: 110 + 1/6

at what flash setting do u think could we compare the two? im guessing at the widest if u took ur measurements of the mf-45 bare bulb. really.. i think theres little difference between the two... (well i dont actually know... but for practical learning purposes...) if u dont already have speedlights that u can set manually (i heard there are canons that u cant like a 420ex or something), the mf-45 is a deal! but if u do have a bunch of old speedlights lying around... u could use those to learn lighting with strobes as well ala strobist...

i've really been looking into this stuff lately... i wana learn lighting the cheapest way possible... thanks for sharing about the mf-45!

thanks for asking it for me, raph. i'm gonna sell my SB-28's (upon approval of course) na and get these. SB28, anyone?

really? i'd keep the sb's if u ask me

really? i'd keep the sb's if u ask me

why don't you just "get" it from me? ha ha ha!

Has the lighting workshop been conducted already? :)

I think you can turn off the pre-flash from the pop-up flash by selecting Manual Focus & Manual Mode. Av Mode? Tv Mode? + MF- will find out.

@ Earlan

But you can only use Manual shooting mode on your camera if you intend to shoot with studio strobes.

I am not sure if you can shut off the pre-flash of a pop up flash. It is possible on an accessory flash by switching it to Manual mode.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

This is what I like on strobes, they are inexpensive which can compete in some ways with the branded studio flash systems, as long as the user (photographer) specifically knows the application-techniques.

Jeffrey

@ Sir Jo

I may be wrong but i tried shooting my 400D in Manual Mode plus putting the switch of my lens to MF and the pre-flash from my pop-up didn't fire. Baka there's something wrong with my cam. Please confirm. Thanks

i dont get you.. if you're in the creative modes(a-dep,av,tv,m,p) the flash would only pop if you press the popup flash button. it would fire a pre-flash if it couldn't focus with available light. if you want this off.. you could use the custom functions(c.fn 5)

@ Sir Jo

I may be wrong but i tried shooting my 400D in Manual Mode plus putting the switch of my lens to MF and the pre-flash from my pop-up didn't fire. Baka there's something wrong with my cam. Please confirm. Thanks

Can someone slap me. lol. i just bought the kit last friday together with an umbrella reflector and a lightstand for my sb800, and upto now i haven't dared to open nor test it yet. urgh

can i use my Rf trigger with this?

can i use my Rf trigger with this?

The MF-45 doesn't have an option to attach a synch cord - hence, you can't use it with an RF trigger. All it has is a built-in optical slave.

Cheers!

Jo Avila

Where can i buy a cheap IR trigger or transmitter? im using it with a d40x and a studio strobe

i'm planning to make a diy similar to wescott spiderlite td5 using four (4) falcon eye mf-45

http://www.fjwestcott.com/details.cfm?id=8&tbl=td5

my question is, can i get as much power as the alien bee b400 which has 160 true ws?

Where can i buy a cheap IR trigger or transmitter? im using it with a d40x and a studio strobe

Try apperture or shutter master but they are RF triggers not IR