Fill Flash Techinique

[holidaydom]

I think I' know whay my flash didn't fire! :bsmilie: :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

With the Flash in FP TTL Auto and the Camera in fill flash mode - the flash will ALWAYS fire But...

If you're in S-AF focusing mode - you'll not be able to trigger a shot until the flash is charged and ready

If your're in C-AF focusing mode - you will be able to take a shot even if the flash is still charging, it just will not fire in that shot that you triggered whilst it was charging.

 

[Mikefellh]

If you're in S-AF focusing mode - you'll not be able to trigger a shot until the flash is charged and ready

If your're in C-AF focusing mode - you will be able to take a shot even if the flash is still charging, it just will not fire in that shot that you triggered whilst it was charging.

Depends on how YOUR camera's Shutter Release Priority is set...I have tested this in the past and I have been able to take a picture while the flash is charging in either focusing mode.

What could have been the possibility in your case is there wasn't enough light to focus, and because the flash was charging it couldn't emit the focus illuminator, your camera couldn't focus, and because you probably have your S-AF Release Priority set to OFF (the factory default), the camera wouldn't take the picture.

 

[holidaydom]

Yes, my shutter release priority is set to OFF in S-AF but my camera was able to achieve focus lock in S-AF - it's just that it will not trigger until the flash has not charged to capacity.

This is all very normal I presume, as shutter priority OFF means that the shutter will not trigger unless everything is ready (including the flash when in fill-in mode)

I can hold the shutter button down - hear the focus lock beep and then - nothing. If I keep holding the shutter button down, the shutter will trigger once the flash reaches capacity and POP it goes!

Guess this is why it works the way it does in C-AF cos in C-AF mode, shutter release priority is set to ON by default.

Good point and kudos for point it out Mike~!! :thumbsup:

 

[holidaydom]

As espion said, try to set the flash to FP TTL AUTO. I don't usually use the EV compensation on the flash, only on the camera. You have to check what the value is on the camera, because if you set the flash setting to -1 on the camera and on the flash to -1 than the sum is = -2. Remember, on camera and on flash compensations are added together. Page 17 of the FL-50 manual explains that.

My flash is always set to FP TTL Auto

And think there's some confusion between the EV compensators we're talking about so maybe I should just lay them out so someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

1) EV on Flash
Where: The right dail on the FL50
What: Adjusts the light output fron the flash in from -3.0EV to +3.0EV

2) Flash EV on Camera
Where: Excess this by holding the flash button down and press the EV button and turning the thumbwheel to adjust
What: Adjusts the light output from the flash, works in tandem with the EV on Flash

3) Exposure EV
Where: EV button behind the shutter button
What: Adjusts the exposure (if you're in A mode, applying a -1.0EV will increase the shutter speed by 1 EV stop from the value determined by the metering system)

Hence, for a given scene, I can mix Flash EV with Exposire EV to get the results I want...
> Dial down the Flash EV so that the subject doesn't get that "deer caught in the headlights look"
> Dial down the Exposure EV so that areas that are lit by sunlight don't get blown out

 

[OlyFlyer]

1) EV on Flash
Where: The right dail on the FL50
What: Adjusts the light output fron the flash in from -3.0EV to +3.0EV

2) Flash EV on Camera
Where: Excess this by holding the flash button down and press the EV button and turning the thumbwheel to adjust
What: Adjusts the light output from the flash, works in tandem with the EV on Flash

I am glad your problem is fixed now. I was talking about your 1 and 2 above. Those are added together. Flash EV on camera is +/-2 on flash is +/-3. So, setting -2 on flash and +2 on camera results EV = 0 for the flash. That is what is explained on page 17 of the FL-50 manual.

 

[holidaydom]

Right then.

So just to clarify - that photo I posted was taken with -1.0EV on the Flash and -0.3EV (Exposure) on the Camera.

Didn't want the flash to overpower the scene (just enough to bring out the subtle details in the shadow areas) and set a -0.3EV to balance the background cos it was in bright sunlight and I didn't want to wash out the details.

That's said, I think I will need more practice and experience.

It was a split moment when that bird was spreading its wings and I had to "wing it" (pun intended) and hope the shots came out nicely.

P/S: On my monitor I can still see:
1) The texture on the top surface of the rock in the background
2) Details in the shodow area under the breast of the bird
3) Details in the shadow area on the thigh area
4) Top surface of the left wing is completly washed out

Can you see 1, 2 & 3?

 

[OlyFlyer]

1) The texture on the top surface of the rock in the background

No, not much texture. Not completely gone but definitely overexposed.

2) Details in the shodow area under the breast of the bird

Just some details. IMO underexposed.

3) Details in the shadow area on the thigh area

No details at all.