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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> SB800 Flash Question
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07/14/2005 01:48:08 PM · #1
I have to shoot an important event on Saturday and I just got my brand spankin' new SB800 flash. I haven't had a chance to read the manual all the way through. I feel like I know my D70 well, but have never used an external flash in my life.

Can anyone give me a brief tutorial on what I need to know about the basics of using a flash? Are there any settings in particular I should set the flash on just to be safe during the wedding on Saturday? TTL? AA? If I have it in TTL mode, and shoot on the manual setting of my camera, will it automatically adjust? Also, if it is sensing how much light to put out, does bouncing it up at the ceiling throw off its auto sensing?

The wedding is outdoors in the morning...I don't want to mess up! I'm willing to throw away a bit of creative control, to assure proper exposure suring such an important event. I'll have time to really break it down and mess with ALL the settings after this weekend!

Perhaps a good webstite tutorial would be helpful if anyone has one they know of.

Thanks ahead of time for your help,

Chris Anderson
07/14/2005 08:14:21 PM · #2
Anyone?
07/14/2005 09:01:14 PM · #3
Originally posted by Montereykiddo:

I have to shoot an important event on Saturday and I just got my brand spankin' new SB800 flash. I haven't had a chance to read the manual all the way through. I feel like I know my D70 well, but have never used an external flash in my life.


An important event and using a brand new external speedlight. In addition you have NEVER used an external speedlight before.

1st question is; are you the primary photographer for this wedding or are you shooting candids as a possible gift to the bride and groom?

If you are the primary photographer, put everything on auto (including TTL) and pray. If you are taking pics for your own gift to the bride and groom, put everything on auto and pray.

At least on auto you can edit later. That is my thoughts on this particular circumstance. Best of luck.


07/14/2005 11:20:36 PM · #4
Online SB-800 guide

I find this easier to read than the book. You may want to experiment with the Built-in wide flash adapter and the diffusion dome for close ups. I just bought one and played with it this past weekend...got a lot to learn. It looks like it compensates when you are in Manual mode just fine. It sounds like it is pretty automatic when coupled with the D70.

good luck
07/15/2005 12:57:21 AM · #5
Practice, experiment, we are digital and "film" is cheap! I have had the SB-800 for 4 or 5 months now and still seem to learn more stuff during my practice sessions...

Learn about the commander mode if you would like to get a little creative...but probably wouldn't use it in an uncontrolled environment as anyones flash will set it off.
07/15/2005 01:09:30 AM · #6
put the flash on your hot shoe with the diffuser on, put the the flash in TTL mode, put your camera on P mode, and shoot.

It's that easy. The TTL is amazing and will make up for a multitude of mistakes - I have an SB800 and SB600 and use them wireless like this all the time and am just amazed at how well they do.

The only thing I tweak when I shoot with the SB800 on the hot shoe is the flash EV setting in accordance with how far your subject is away, and how dark it is. Once you shoot a few you'll get the feel for what EV setting will work for what distance, and you'll be golden - but a practice session will help. I shot the kids watching TV for my practice session.

Sorry if that sounds so simple, but it's what sold me on Nikon over the Canon - when the pressure's on it's nice to have a camera that can do some of the thinking for you.

Please don't mention this to my clients :)

oh, one more thing for the future - I got one of these and really really like it. It seems I learn one set of info from the manual, and one set from the cheat sheets. I got one for each of my flashes, never leave home without them.

Good luck!

Message edited by author 2005-07-15 01:14:56.
07/15/2005 04:21:03 AM · #7
Thanks for all the advice! I'm dedicating most of tomorrow to experimentation and research. Thanks for the links and a suggestions.

Chris
07/15/2005 12:03:05 PM · #8
Originally posted by Montereykiddo:

Thanks for all the advice! I'm dedicating most of tomorrow to experimentation and research. Thanks for the links and a suggestions.

Chris


I am going to buyThis DVD from Nikon from my local shop today
07/17/2005 10:46:38 PM · #9
i know this is quite late already but i thought this would be a great help on your next wedding event... tried out my SB800 on outdoors and its awesome at TTL-BL! keep on shooting!!!

-----------

Wedding Shooting Settings for Success/ D70 and SB-800 (ver 6/05)

Note:

1. I shoot in JPEG
2. I use only D70 body and SB-800, setting may be different with built in flash

Try these settings. I find them very accurate, easy to use, and give repeatable excellent quality exposures and white balance.

A. Outdoors with fill flash:

1. Matrix metering on camera
2. Program mode. Try to get about a 1/125 at about f 5.6 or f 8 .
3. ISO beginning at 250, 320 or 400 if darker day
4. SB-800 on TTL BL. Exposure comp at 0 to begin with (see note below)
5. White balance : Flash , 0 comp ( No, I’m not crazy)

B. Indoors with flash

1. Change metering to spot on D70.
This also changes the SB-800 to regular TTL automatically. VERY NICE
2. Manual metering on camera. I use 1/80 or 1/125 second at f5.6 or f 8. Don’t get
too large an aperture. You want to nail focus during dancing and such.
an aperture. You want to nail the focus during dancing and such.
3. SB-800 Exposure comp at 0 to begin with (see note below).
4. White balance: Flash, +1 comp ( very accurate white balance, try it)

The SB-800 is adjusting its flash output by light reflecting back at the camera.
1. With neutral subjects (clothing) leave flash exposure comp at 0.
2. Brighter subject (bride) adjust up + 1/3 or + 2/3.
3. Darker subject (couple wearing black for example) adjust down - 1/3 or - 2/3

You don’t want to overexpose with a flash shot. Learn to evaluate what the subjects are wearing and adjust up or down. If you learn this “zone” system of flash comp you can always get a very well exposed shot, very good consistency from picture to picture.
Examples: Picture of just wedding cake + 2/3
Picture of just bride + 2/3
Picture if bride and brides maids wearing light color dresses, + 1/3
Picture of groom alone, - 1/3
Picture groom and his guys in black tuxes, - 2/3
Picture of bride and mom (wearing dark dress) “0”
Picture of bride and mom (wearing light dress) + 2/3
Picture of bride and groom cutting white cake + 2/3
07/17/2005 11:51:28 PM · #10
I'd use TTL-BL -- it will use fill-flash then -- and expose your subject according to the background. On TTL only, it will operate much like your on-camera flash -- and could possibly lead to underexposed, super dark backgrounds.
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