With Nikon how to set fill flash ?

[pchengws]

Hi All,

I tested with Matrix and found the iTTL BL on the Metz Flash.

I have taken few photos but just not able to load here. I uploaded to Gallery and it shows no Thumbnail. I try to load here and seems like it does not recognize the format. After trying half an hour I give up. I did search the database and followed the instruction but did not work. There are few others also have no thumbnail problem, so it is not only me.

I would like to confirm yes, with iTTL BL the fill in works better than spot iTTL. The same EV -1 iTTL BL give a better result. However on my equipment EV -2 is the maximum.

I did tried the EV +1 it is definitely wash out.

Thank you all for your help and guides.

 

[catchlights]

Hi All,

I tested with Matrix and found the iTTL BL on the Metz Flash.

I have taken few photos but just not able to load here. I uploaded to Gallery and it shows no Thumbnail. I try to load here and seems like it does not recognize the format. After trying half an hour I give up. I did search the database and followed the instruction but did not work. There are few others also have no thumbnail problem, so it is not only me.

I would like to confirm yes, with iTTL BL the fill in works better than spot iTTL. The same EV -1 iTTL BL give a better result. However on my equipment EV -2 is the maximum.

I did tried the EV +1 it is definitely wash out.

Thank you all for your help and guides.

Not sure you take note of this before you upload photos to ClubSNAP Gallery?

Allowable Image Types: jpg,jpeg,png
Maximum File Size: 800kb file size limit.

alternatively, you can use other images hosting site like Flickr, Photobucket, imgur or many others, to host your images and link the image URL in your post with BB code.

 

[pchengws]

Yes, I make sure it is below 800kb in fact it is only 320kb.

It shows no thumb nail after loaded, and could not further use the uploaded file. It shows not recognized format. But if I click on the no Thumbnail it will open up the picture, just cannot use it.

I will try Flickr now.

 

[pchengws]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54999321@N08/sets/72157636540156443/


The setting I have written in the remark on each photo.

I still cannot upload individual photo, which I have done it before.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Your background is over exposed.

Start with a shot that is done without flash, at sync speed, and set aperture to get proper exposure for background. Use M mode.

Turn on flash and do -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2.

One simple way is to get the guide number of your flash divide that by distance of subject, that will give you f number that you can achieve with the flash.

For example, SB910 of 34 (m). At 3m subject distance you'll have 34/3= f11. So the maximum you can get at 3m is f11 and 1/250s.

When you do fp flash you'll get shorter distances.

 

[pchengws]

Your background is over exposed.

Start with a shot that is done without flash, at sync speed, and set aperture to get proper exposure for background. Use M mode.

Turn on flash and do -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2.

One simple way is to get the guide number of your flash divide that by distance of subject, that will give you f number that you can achieve with the flash.

For example, SB910 of 34 (m). At 3m subject distance you'll have 34/3= f11. So the maximum you can get at 3m is f11 and 1/250s.

When you do fp flash you'll get shorter distances.

Very good advise. I seek help was because my background I notice is always wash out because inside dark and outside sunny.

In my test I was little happy with the iTTL BL EV -2.

However it did not occur to me that I need to reduced my /f 3.5 down to /f 8 or 11 due to the distance to the object. I though Mode A, set at /f3.5, the camera and flash will do everything for me.

I need to test again. Very good lesson to me.

Thank a lot all brothers and sisters with the kind feed back.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Very good advise. I seek help was because my background I notice is always wash out because inside dark and outside sunny.

In my test I was little happy with the iTTL BL EV -2.

However it did not occur to me that I need to reduced my /f 3.5 down to /f 8 or 11 due to the distance to the object. I though Mode A, set at /f3.5, the camera and flash will do everything for me.

I need to test again. Very good lesson to me.

Thank a lot all brothers and sisters with the kind feed back.

The f8 or so is to keep the background not burned out, not due to distance to subject. Yes the camera will do everything for you but at f3.5 your background will burn brightly. The calculation is to get the max distance your flash will cover at full power and at the set zoom head position. Set your aperture and shutter speed to get the background correctly exposed, and flash to fill in.

Of course if you want to use f3.5 or larger and not have background burnedout then auto fp flash is the only way to go.

 

[sf_kang]

Hi TS, i share a simple method that works every time in a situation where you wish to avoid burned background and also have balanced fill-flash on your main subject.
1. Set camera to matrix metering, exposure mode to M.
2. Choose the aperture n shutter speed that you need to capture the background the way you want it.
3. Now take a picture without flash n check if the background looks ok without burnout. I normal like to under expose my background by 1 stop.
4. Now turn on your SB speedlite. Adjust the flash compensation to -1 EV.
5. Focus, recompose, and shoot.

You should be able to get a pretty nice shot. This method will give consistent results.

Note: if u wish to shoot with very large apertures n high shutter speeds, be sure to go into yr camera menu and set flash sync speed to FP 1/250*

If all settings are correct, you will set TTL-BL FP on the LCD of yr speedlite.

Hope this helps. Cheers. Fred

 

[pchengws]

Hi TS, i share a simple method that works every time in a situation where you wish to avoid burned background and also have balanced fill-flash on your main subject.
1. Set camera to matrix metering, exposure mode to M.
2. Choose the aperture n shutter speed that you need to capture the background the way you want it.
3. Now take a picture without flash n check if the background looks ok without burnout. I normal like to under expose my background by 1 stop.
4. Now turn on your SB speedlite. Adjust the flash compensation to -1 EV.
5. Focus, recompose, and shoot.

You should be able to get a pretty nice shot. This method will give consistent results.

Note: if u wish to shoot with very large apertures n high shutter speeds, be sure to go into yr camera menu and set flash sync speed to FP 1/250*

If all settings are correct, you will set TTL-BL FP on the LCD of yr speedlite.

Hope this helps. Cheers. Fred

Hi Fred,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54999321@N08/sets/72157636719035925/

I managed to test with your suggestion. I hope this link works.

Thank you.

Regards,

Peter

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Very much better. Congratulations.

 

[pchengws]

Thank you for the guides.
Just in case, the flash I am pointing 180 degree away from the window. Flash light come from my back.

 

[sf_kang]

Thank you for the guides. Just in case, the flash I am pointing 180 degree away from the window. Flash light come from my back.

Your pictures look great n natural. The advantage of TTL-BL FP is that even when you use bounce flash (as you've done), the flash power is compensated n automatically adjusted according to your desired settings.

You've now mastered how to obtain a professional looking photo that balances outdoor ambient lighting and fill flash for your indoor subject. Keep practising and you'll get better.

Cheers. Fred

 

[pchengws]

Dear all,

Thank you for your help. I really learn a good lesson here and more in-depth of Flash skill.

I shall close the topic too.


Best Regards,

Peter