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11/17/2005 05:57:43 AM · #1 |
Every once in a while people ask is it necessary to invest in an external flash, and what are the differences.
In attempt to answer this one, I took some test shots tonight (in complete darkness, the flash was the only available light source).
These images are not processed in any way. They are all taken with the same parameters (entered with every photo), except for the on-camera flash where I had to open aperture and decrease shutter speed.
So here is the study:
First, took a snapshot of my dining room with an on-camera flash:
Image was not well-lit, and there are harsh shadows. (sorry, I did not have people for this study, as said people would have killed me if I woke them up at 2:30 a.m. to pose for me and there would be no study. Maybe I'll repeat this with some live objects tomorrow evening.)
Then I put on an external flash. manual setting, 1/32 power. Had to close aperture some, and bump shutter speed to max (1/250).
Much better. Still there are shadows, but not as harsh. Then I added second, slave flash. It's just a cheap AC slave that you screw into lightbulb socket anywhere. (see that black lamp in the right corner, that's where I put it). I directed it towards the ceiling, to get some light bounced off of it. Here is the result:
The, I wanted to make another test, to see what's the difference between using 1 flash and using 2.
With only external flash (direct w/o diffuser):
With external direct flash, and AC slave bounced off the ceiling:
I haven't taken a photo with on-camera one. I think that it is obvious that it is useless most of the time.
I hope this helps, I'll try to add some people shots to this thread tomorrow.
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11/17/2005 06:06:43 AM · #2 |
Nice dining room :)
I have a 580EX and usually use the Bounce option while taking photos inside.
the oncamera flash definitly gets useless when you have a external one.
I want another one so i can use a transmitter and have some fun with it :D |
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11/17/2005 06:55:27 AM · #3 |
What sort of AC slave were you using?
Please post a link, it might be a usefull temporary option till I can afford Studio lights.
I assume it means you have to guess on exposure or use a flash meter.
It definitley improves the pictures. |
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11/17/2005 07:56:01 AM · #4 |
here is a basic one at B&H
//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=50050&is=REG
they have a range of them with variable power ones and with modeling light
check the voltage as these won't work in Aus or NZ not sure about Germany
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11/17/2005 08:23:19 AM · #5 |
I use a D70 with an SB-600 and a lightsphere diffuser. I have been absolutely amazed at the results. I use it for family parites at night and such. I am no longer in fear of flash shots.
Nick |
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11/17/2005 08:40:29 AM · #6 |
Nick - do you have any samples you can show of a family party. Are you using it just with on-board flash or in addition to an external flash? I'm interested in how the tell-tale onboard flash signs are affected by the increase in ambient light.
TIA,
Dawn
Darn, just reread your post and saw that you're using a speedlight. Thanks anyway. If anyone else can post a people sample with the screw in strobe triggered by the onboard flash, I'd love to see it.
Message edited by author 2005-11-17 08:42:28.
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11/17/2005 08:50:30 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by aKiwi:
What sort of AC slave were you using?
Please post a link, it might be a usefull temporary option till I can afford Studio lights.
I assume it means you have to guess on exposure or use a flash meter.
It definitley improves the pictures. |
It is Studio Mate SM-200. Real cheap. I took one shot to see approx. how many steps it is compared to the image without (histograms rule) and went from there.
Edit to add: I've bought mine on eBay (120V of course, but there are 230V ones. I'm not sure what's your line voltage, but frequency does not matter for these units.
It came with barndoor attachment, as well as the snout and a honeycomb for directed light. It wasn't much over $40, s/h included.
Message edited by author 2005-11-17 09:05:04. |
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11/17/2005 08:52:56 AM · #8 |
Very interesting, i mean the part about the AC slave. I 've seen them advertised for years but kind of dismissed them. This one for $65 is 70ws and plugs in instead of neededing a light socket...i guess i'm buying something else now.
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11/17/2005 10:41:20 AM · #9 |
Great examples, thanks for putting forth the effort... Now I'm off to buy that speedlight I thought I could do without for a while.
Geesh... Thanks for forcing me to spend more money.
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11/17/2005 12:47:26 PM · #10 |
Dawn,
I am using the sb-600 speedlight and lightsphere diffuser. this photo was taken in a totally dark room with only the flash for light. (no post-processing)
Nick
Message edited by author 2005-11-17 12:47:55. |
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