Flash or Headlamp

[CountingGx85Gx8G9s]

So every year I take a trip with my friend of over 30 years. We go herping and arachnid imaging in the desert. We each wear a fairly bright miner's light as well as carry a UV light (for scorpions). As we age (74 and he is 80) I am wondering about using a flash for night imaging rather than a miner's light. I'd still use the miners light for walking. The flash would give me faster shutters or lower ISO and/or F stops with more DOF. My concern is our loss of night vision with the brightness of the flash. Why is that a issue when using the miner's lights, well snakes hide very well in the shadows of the bushes waiting for the mouse or rabbit, and I'm sure even with the headlamps, we will lose some night vision with me using the flash.

Anyone use large flash for macro's at night in the desert? If so, how is your vision even using flash/head lights? Last year I ended up with a widow on my head trying to get close to another so I'd have a decent exposure with just the headlight. I guess another option is to use the Gx85's tiny flash and denoise in software. Somewhat more concerned this year as any sting/bite at our ages in the middle of nowhere could be a significant issue.

 

[Archibald]

I've done some macro night photography, but in the jungle, not the desert. I used diffused flash as usual. We had a guide who found the critters and provided the illumination to find the subject in the viewfinder and focus. I can't remember how my night vision was. There was quite a bit of light from the guide, so I don't think my night vision was that good. In pitch darkness it would be different. The effect of the flash on your night vision would depend on your setup. How are you shooting? Maybe only little light will get back to your eye. Best is to try it one night. Keep the rig by your bed. When you have a spate of insomnia, get up and give it a try.

How will you focus in the dark?

 

[CountingGx85Gx8G9s]

With the Macro setup I have to either use my headlamp or have my buddy shine his.....

 

[Charzes44]

With the Macro setup I have to either use my headlamp or have my buddy shine his.....

So every year I take a trip with my friend of over 30 years. We go herping and arachnid imaging in the desert. We each wear a fairly bright miner's light as well as carry a UV light (for scorpions). As we age (74 and he is 80) I am wondering about using a flash for night imaging rather than a miner's light. I'd still use the miners light for walking. The flash would give me faster shutters or lower ISO and/or F stops with more DOF. My concern is our loss of night vision with the brightness of the flash. Why is that a issue when using the miner's lights, well snakes hide very well in the shadows of the bushes waiting for the mouse or rabbit, and I'm sure even with the headlamps, we will lose some night vision with me using the flash.

Anyone use large flash for macro's at night in the desert? If so, how is your vision even using flash/head lights? Last year I ended up with a widow on my head trying to get close to another so I'd have a decent exposure with just the headlight. I guess another option is to use the Gx85's tiny flash and denoise in software. Somewhat more concerned this year as any sting/bite at our ages in the middle of nowhere could be a significant issue.

If you are looking through the viewfinder, you will only see your companion's flash, not your own, surely? If that's the case, a word of warning just before shooting will allow the other person to close his eyes, or look away!