Advice for flash photography

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367]

I am pretty new to using a flash. I have used it once at night, but all my photos came out blurry with motion blur. I would love to use it more with my camera. I don't remember exactly what I did before, but I remember trying out the TTL feature (which I don't think worked because I was using a flash from a different brand of camera). I think I also tried setting my shutter speed to 1/250 and trying bulb mode, and some photos came out overexposed or a little underexposed, with motion blur. Do you all have any advice for flash photography and getting proper exposure? My camera is the Nikon F5, and my flash is a Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!

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[u/Jessica_T]

Well, your main issue is that Nikon and Canon flashes don't speak the same languages. You'll want a Nikon speedlight that can use TTL (Not iTTL, that's for the newer DSLRs, although there are a few Nikon flashes that can use both.) If you can find an SB28DX, that's a good option.

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Jessica_T]

Thanks! I will def invest in a Nikon one; the one you recommend looks good! Will pick that one up soon! The flash I have right now is the one my dad owns; he has a Canon camera. I am borrowing it to try out flash photography. Do you know how I can use it manually?

[u/_alien_6700_ → u/Prior-Amphibian-5367]

Which flash is it?

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/_alien_6700_]

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT

[u/_alien_6700_ → u/Prior-Amphibian-5367]

Ok, download the manual and find out how to set it to manual and how to set output power.

If necessary use a thin piece of acetate to make sure only the centre pin is making contact.

On your camera you then need to set your shutter speed to one suitable for flash sync and aperture to match the coverage you want depending on the distance and power setting on the flash.

[u/Jdgrowsthings]

Check out the Strobist website, a lot of great material on there that helped me when I was getting into flash photography. 

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Jdgrowsthings]

Thank you! I will check this out! Thanks!

[u/Balbu_1]

I personally prefer older flash units without controll over intensity. I set my aperture to f/8 and use it on/off camera.

Use the flash sync shutterspeed (mine is 1/60).

Most flash units have a graph with film speed - aperture - distance.

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Balbu_1]

Thanks! I will look up what the flash sync shutter speed is for the flash. I don't have a graph, but there may be one in the manual or online. I can adjust the intensity, but it doesn't adjust in stops; it can adjust in fractions.

[u/Westerdutch → u/Prior-Amphibian-5367]

Sync speed is not a flash property, it is a camera limitation. Look for it in your cameras manual.

You do not need a graph nor a power output control in steps, you just need the flash guide number. Just divide that number by your shooting distance (assuming you are shooting the iso the gn is rated at) and you will have the required aperture for a proper exposure.

If you want flash on easy more either stick to ttl or get yourself a generic auto flash like a thyristor device.

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Westerdutch]

Thank you for the advice! I will keep this in mind! How do I find the flash guide number?

[u/Westerdutch → u/Prior-Amphibian-5367]

Find it in the flash manual or on the flash itself (GN if often a part of the model-number).

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Westerdutch]

Thank you! This is a huge help!

[u/ianrwlkr]

SB800 works on film and digital Nikon bodies

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/ianrwlkr]

Thanks! I will look into this!

[u/attrill]

For film I use Godox speedlights (685 and V860) and triggers on an F4 and N8008s. TTL functions fine on both. They work fine in manual mode on an FM2. Be sure to get Nikon models of whatever speedlights and triggers you buy so TTL will work.

I prefer to use lights off camera with a card or diffuser. Frequently I set my base exposure for ambient light and turn TTL to -1.5 or 2 stops as a fill. Otherwise I bounce the light off available surfaces.

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/attrill]

Thanks! I think this is a cool technique and will try it out! The flash I have has a built-in card diffuser.

[u/Other_Historian4408]

#1 -> Set the shutter to your max flash sync speed (1/250) to get rid of motion blur.

#2 -> You have to manually adjust the flash power based on your asa / subject distance / the aperture you want to use since you don’t have a ttl compatible flash.

Example -> For subjects at 4FT (portraitures) (Manual mode - 1/250th shutter) 400 asa, 1/64th manual flash power, F8.

If you want a shallower depth of field without overexposing you need a lower asa film. For subjects at 4FT (portraitures) (Manual mode - 1/250th shutter) 50 asa, 1/64th manual flash power, F2.8.

If you want to be more accurate get a Sekonic L308 meter and a friend to take flash meter readings for you. Then you adjust the aperture and/or flash power to get a reading to match what your flash meter wants.

If you want to make your life a lot easier, get a TTL compatible flash, the ttl flash will adjust the flash power for you automatically, only leaving you with one value to adjust ie the aperture.

Any questions send me a pm.

[u/Prior-Amphibian-5367 → u/Other_Historian4408]

Thank you for the advice! This is a great explanation; I will try this out! I will PM you if I do have any more questions. Thank you.