Even though most of the tutorial pages here deal with on-camera flash, I don’t limit myself to just using on-camera flash. When I need off-camera lighting or when I need more juice from my flashguns than a speedlight can deliver, I use the Q-flashes made by Quantum.
For this wedding in Las Vegas, I decided to travel light and as an additional flashgun, bring along a single Quantum Q-flash in addition to the two speedlights I normally take along with me when I photograph a destination wedding. I also wanted the flexibility of wireless TTL control over the flash, and therefore I chose a Quantum T5D-R with the Quantum Freewire Wireless TTL set-up.
In the photo above taken at Red Rock near Las Vegas, I had my assistant hold the Q-flash up high on a monopod and triggered it wirelessly. This way I could fine-tune the flash exposure from the camera itself. This allowed me to work faster than having either me or my assistant manually adjusting the flash the whole time. (Anyone who is interested in my specific settings, the thought process is similar to the explanation here.) I had the Wide-Angle Diffuser over the Q-flash, to spread the light more widely.
The Q-flash’s flexibility and power really came in handy for this next image.
After the wedding we went to this famous landmark for a big group photo. I had to work fast to keep everyone’s attention since it had been a long day. Also, the cops had just stopped to move the two buses out of the middle lane … so I really had to shoot fast and nail the few images I took here.
I needed a lot of light, and I needed the light as even from left-to-right as possible – so I had my assistant hold up the Q-flash T5D-R with a Quantum wide-angle diffuser – and had her pointing this through a white shoot-through umbrella to get the light spreading more evenly. In the end I did have to go in to Photoshop to dodge the people on the left a little to bring them up to the same brightness as the rest of the group. But using a powerful flashgun in this way gave me a very good head start on this image.
So I am showing this here as an example of something simple that you can’t do with a speedlight. When I need juice! .. and an even spread of light and a set-up that works fast, I revert to using Q-flashes.
For those who are interested in the specific gear, here are the details of the exact equipment :
The camera with the Wireless QTTL Adapter (B&H), on top of the camera,
and the Quantum FW9T FreeXwire Digital Transmitter (B&H), clamped onto the bottom:
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The Quantum Q-flash T5D-R (B&H), with the Quantum FW7Q FreeXwire Wireless Digital TTL Receiver (B&H), attached to the side of the Q-flash. This is a very neat design with the Receiver fitting flush to the Q-flash, and drawing power from the Q-flash itself.
The umbrella clamp is a very simple device, and something I scrounged from my bin of odds-and-ends, so I can’t give you a specific link to it. The flashgun and umbrella clamp is attached to the Manfrotto monopod, via the Manfrotto Quick Release Adapter (B&H).
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This set-up is all powered by a Quantum Turbo 2×2 battery, which is attached to the monopod via the Quantum Pole Mounting Clamp.
Just looked at the prices of those Q Flashes…pretty high. I’d say these are for professionals. :-)
I’d say Neil is a pro, no?
I know Neil is a professional. :)
Such equipment would be wasted on me currently, but I can appreciate how Neil uses them. :)
Very generous sharing coupled with your great talent. Regarding your choice of using the Q-Flash, do you utilize its TTL capabilities much or mostly use it in manual? If mostly used for increased power then I’m curious to hear your opinion as to using the Q-Flash over lets say a higher wattage portable like the Norman 400? I plan to add to my lighting arsenal and am considering the Q. Many thanks!
Have you seen the info from Quantum about the new TRIO and Pilot??? Looks Absolutely incredible! Do you notice any benefits of firing the Qnexus T5 with an ST-E2? I’m trying to avoid dropping more $$ on the FW9 and DW23R As I have an ST-E2.
Do you lift weights? Camera, fast glass, battery grip and transmitter. That sucker looks HEAVY! I’ve never thought of wedding photography as manual labor, but maybe I was wrong. Fantastic website. It’s not often someone at your level gives away so much useful info. I’m bummed I missed the Texas workshops. Looks like one would be a good investment.
Thanks Neil. This is so helpful. I have a Quantum Q-flash and there are so few resources I’ve found on how people are using it.
Neil,
I was inspired to buy the Quantum after seeing your photos. I have a question about your large group shot in front of the Las Vegas sign. I assume you set the flash on manual mode? If so, was it full power? Also, what aperture and iso were your settings on the camera?
Thanks for Sharing,
David
Hi Neil,
Love your site and appreciate all the information you have on here. I am new at this and your really great to have out there , I check your site every few days. Just bought two trios ( waiting on the pilot to be introduced) I was planning on using the two for formals but after seeing this image I am thinking that I can get by with one. would you agree?
Again Thanks
Jim
Hi!
Neil, i have the same quantum setup but i’m holding the FW9T to the bottom of the camera with velcro, the clamp you have came with the FW9T? or you bought it separate? if you remember the part name would be great.
Thanks!!
I am also interested in Victor’s comment regarding how you clamp the FW9T onto the bottom of camera. I also currently use the velcro strips that came with the FreeXWire, which I don’t think is a good solution.
Since I also use a Canon 5DMkII without battery grip, I currently have a turbo attached to bottom of camera to supply the Quantum Trio I have mounted for quick work, but take it off along with Trio to use the QTTL adaptor in shoe mount attached to FW9T.
Thanks,
Frank & Victor the freeXwire 9T that Neil has on his camera is being held up by Quantum Camera Mount (part # QUFW25 at B&H for $29.95
Hope that helps.
HI Nestor,
Great, thanks for information, shall get one ASAP.
Neil,
If we had to..(meaning we only had and SB 900 and and SB 800 and could not afford the Q flashes)..is it possible to acheive that power when using both of them at the same time pointing in the same direction..? for image #1… I mean to over power the light with the backlit couple.
THanks so much,
Joy