I know it happened a couple of weeks ago as well. Anyway probably too cold for outdoor photography so I shot the birds from Callum’s window.
Probably not the worlds best bird pics, but they’ll have to do for today.
Camera Club
Well I am 40 so it’s a natural progression to go to a camera club. You see I’ve always been a bit dismissive of the whole idea, I mean meeting up with like minded photo enthusiasts who’d want to do that.
With that thought in my mind I ventured out to my local camera club (Yardley PS) to see a presentation from @peteashton about TTV (Through The Viewfinder photography). I’ve known that Pete has been doing this for a while now, but never got a chance to speak about it with him.
Anyway, I went along and enjoyed it. The people were a friendly bunch, seems to be no pretension from the gathered audience and I got to look at a Pete’s stuff in greater detail than before. So will I join, not too sure. I may be one to just dip in and out initially (at £1.50 a pop it’s not an issue).
Pete having picture taken by @Katchooo, taken by me using a very poor quality iphone camera (nb not representative of my photography)
Shoot EP-N4 – Cheapo clone of a Canon CP-E4
From time to time I shoot the odd event/function and occasionally during these events I might get cause to do a bit of flash work. It’s normally fine until the batteries are wearing a bit and the flash fails to recharge before the next shot.
I could carry more batteries, but I’d rather not keep changing them. So the solution for many is a battery pack. Often the cheaper option is to opt for a AA cell powered device. If I made my living using flash I’d probably opt for a Quantum or similar.
Being a cheapskate I like bargains, but I also prefer original equipment (excluding batteries). So I have a couple of original options for my Canon Speedlites:
2nd Hand CP-E2/3 between £60 – £100 if you can find one.
Canon CP-E4 at around £150
Either way it can’t compete with an Ebay price of £21 for a clone of the EP-N4.
Anyway on with a mini review.
The device itself does everything you’d want from a small compact device. It provides additional power for a compatible speedlite (550/580/580mkII/MR-14/MT-24). The refresh speed of the flash does depend on the flash power, at 1/1 power ratio you will still need to wait for flash to charge for the next shot, but it will be much faster to refresh compared to the internal batteries.
Build of compatible devices is always a little bit of a worry. Just looking at the device you can tell it’s not a quality piece of work, the plastic looks cheaper and finish on some edges isn’t great. In fact the battery cage needed a little trimming to fit better once the batteries were installed. To add to battery pack woes once inserted in to the device it requires a squeeze to slide the end clip in. Once it’s lined up and in place it holds fine.
So on the face it good at what it does, but cheap build. To be honest I have no issue with that. It cost £21 including shipping (From the UK) and arrived in 2 days.
Looking closer at the product I’ve noticed the weather sealed plug and battery flap. However the instructions indicate it’s not water proof – so I guess using it in a pond is out then. Seriously though, my Eos 5d isn’t water proof either and I’m perfectly happy to use it in light rain. Same applies to this pack. Most times when used it’s likely to be in the supplied pouch and attached to my belt.
Once fitted into the supplied carry case it’s easy to slip into a jacket pocket or put on your belt. You only really notice you have it once you install the 8 AA batteries.
So overall – Cheap product, cheap build, cheap price. With the predicted use this is going to get it should last a while. Maybe for those that are professional it may not take the wear and tear that a Canon branded device may take.
Weather Sealed Plug?
DIY trimming
Size comparison with the original Canon CP-E2
Case, also comes with a screw to attach to the tripod thread on the camera.
Caveat: People are wary of 3rd power sources – often scare stories from Camera shops will tell tale of exploding batteries/damaged cameras etc. I can understand that, I note that this device is CE certified so that may provide some reassurance – I make no guarantee that this product wont damage anything. Though if they did I’m fairly sure we would have heard more about it.
Also if you go down the Ebay route to purchase be aware that many different brands are available, often shipping from China/Hongkong – so you may be liable for import duty etc.
Cheap bits…..
…….will I fry myself?
That’s the current dilemma, do I fry myself financially and spend £150 on a Canon branded battery pack for my speedlites or get a cheap ‘replacement’ from Ebay for £20
Well….
….in this case price won the day. O.k. it’s probably not weather shielded and the quality is probably missing in places. But the reality is it’s just a battery pack but it’s £120 cheaper from an almost identical Canon branded item. I do prefer Canon branded items, however the official one is a joke in terms of price.
So will it fry me? possibly – but only the same way the official product can. I know what this product does, it provides a more powerful voltage directly to the flash head. In certain circumstances it could be quite dangerous – so I will not be using it in a pond, or heavy rain.
To accompany tonights typing I’m listening to Martin Gore’s Counterfeit EP.
/edit It arrived, and to confirm – I haven’t fried myself yet. Noticed that the device appears to be weather sealed at both the battery end and the plug. So maybe I can go flashing in the pond then :p
Back, and I bought the nice weather with me
I’m back, and i’m married again (well just the vows anyway). Had a nice holiday, very hot (for me) and very relaxing.
So I won’t bore you too much with holiday snaps but here they are…….
There you go, wasn’t too harmful was it. I can bore you more on request.