Do I Need To Send My Camera Out - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/08/2006 10:43:38 PM · #1

I had to use ISO 800 to shoot this picture using my lights AND a flash.

Any other ISO would require either a really long exposure or just be too dark. It seems to be that something is wrong. Last August I shot this at 200 ISO with my lights and a flash.

Is there anything I can do to reset my camera?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

12/08/2006 10:45:18 PM · #2

Metering?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

12/08/2006 10:49:55 PM · #3

What do you mean? Can I reset it, or are you suggesting that's what's messed up?

Apple iPhone 5

12/08/2006 11:09:19 PM · #4

What was the aperture and shutter speeed on that ISO800 shot?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/08/2006 11:10:33 PM · #5

What makes you think it's not your lights?

fotomann_forever

12/09/2006 12:06:35 AM · #6

I'm thinking it's the flash, based on the warm color cast of the photos, not the camera.

Also, you mentioned that you needed longer exposures to make them not dark. Shutterspeed doesn't affect flash exposure, so if you are needing longer shutterspeeds, you are just allowing ambient light to fill the scene.

I don't see any "catch lights" in the eyes which also suggest there wasn't a direct light source. Hard for me to tell if they are there at this resolution.

Likely your flash is either not firing at all or firing very dimly.

Message edited by author 2006-12-09 00:10:52.

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

12/09/2006 12:12:32 AM · #7

So, how do I correct the problem Fotoman?

It was f/6.3 and shutterspeed 1/200.

fotomann_forever

12/09/2006 12:16:05 AM · #8

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

So, how do I correct the problem Fotoman?

It was f/6.3 and shutterspeed 1/200.

What kind of flash are you using?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

12/09/2006 12:16:52 AM · #9

There is nothing wrong with your camera.

fotomann_forever

12/09/2006 12:49:59 AM · #10

I just had another thought .. scary as it may sound...

This shot has one person in it...

And this one has 5.

I'm assuming the lights you are talking about are halogen lights. With a larger group you have to move lights further out, so as to not get into the shot. Halogens fall off quite quickly. So, you are loosing stops of light. Thus you need longer exposures, higher ISOs etc.

IF you are using on-camera flash, it's not very effective at a range longer than 10-15 feet or less.

Just throwing some thougts out... and no, I don't think it's your camera either. Seems the larger group shots are just out-growing your equipment.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/09/2006 06:05:22 PM · #11

I have the 430 EX. Actually, in this particular group shot my lights were about where they always are. I actually moved my "big" light in a little closer than I would normally because the guy in the back kept coming out too dark.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

12/09/2006 06:10:38 PM · #12

agreed...

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

There is nothing wrong with your camera.

Message edited by author 2006-12-09 18:11:10.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/09/2006 08:07:18 PM · #13

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Even though the halogens (if that's what you are using) seem really, really bright, they are nothing compared to the flash, even the little 430EX. I bet your flash is either low on batteries or something else is goofed with it.