Photo tricks. Part 8.

In this part of the photo tricks again the features of working with the flash.

Photo tricks. Part 8

Photo tricks. Part 8

Manual flash power

When using the flash in manual flash control mode (also denoted by the letter “M”), the flash is set to light output in fractions of the maximum allowable flash output. You can experiment, on most CZKs there is the possibility of setting the power even of the built-in flash in manual flash mode. So, a power of 1 \ 4 indicates that the flash will work only at a quarter of the full power, and 1 \ 32, which is one thirty-second of the full power. 1 \ 1 is full power... The larger the share, the more powerful the impulse will be. I come across very often the fact that people think that a flash just works with a given power and always gives the same “flash”. But this is not the case, the flash controls its output, especially in TTL flash modes.

Flash in M ​​and TV (S) camera modes

Usually the built-in and external flash are used indoors in manual flash mode M. The camera is usually set to one of the modes P, S, M, A... In S modes (TV - priority excerpts) and M (manual mode) it is very convenient to use the flash, as you can set a short shutter speed. In poor lighting conditions, such as indoors, when using the aperture priority mode, most cameras set the flash exposure to 1 \ 60 seconds. This is not always convenient, since when shooting with a telephoto lens, for example, with an 85mm fix, you can allow blurring of the background or moving objects due to 1 \ 60 hand shake or normal movement in the frame of what we are shooting. But in S (TV) and M modes, you can set the desired shutter speed, and the automation or the photographer will adjust the flash pulse to the desired exposure. Yes, 1 \ 60 is almost always the limit for automation when working with the flash in dark conditions.

Important: Nikon cameras can only be set to longer excerpts, for example, 1 \ 30 c when working with the flash, but who needs them? For Canon Cameras You can set the flash exposure to 1 \ 200 s and forget about this inconvenience.

Important: Do not confuse manual flash control with manual camera “M”. And yet, 1 \ 60 is such an inconvenience only in really bad lighting.

In fact, if you use both the camera and the flash in manual mode, then the camera will get the same amount of light at the same flash power at any normal shutter speeds from 30s to 1 \ 200s. In fact, if we shoot for 1 \ 15s with the same flash power in dark conditions, then the light that the camera will receive will have the same amount if we shoot for 1 \ 160s with the same flash power. This effect is due to the fact that the flash itself lasts a very, very short time, about 1 \ 1000s. This is one of the main advantages of using both the camera and flash in manual mode. In S mode (TV, priority excerpts) the camera itself selects the aperture value, and often this is the maximum allowable value for the lens, which is not always suitable for a given idea. To use the flash at shutter speeds below a certain thresholdneed to use high speed sync.

Personal experience:

The problem of 1 / 60th of a second in aperture priority is really a very inconvenient thing. At the same time, the S mode is not a panacea, since the automatic opens the aperture to the maximum. Only mode M remains, in mode M at a given shutter speed and the aperture, the camera adjusts exactly the flash power so that it is normal Exposition (at the same time, the flash should work in automatic mode). I always use this when filming in nightclubs, restaurants, on weddings etc. In general, playing with exposure is a very good training for a photographer, I advise you to look at the article. Exposition.

Conclusions:

Working with flash is always a good workout for the brain. As usual, I advise you to do your own experiments, especially with manual flash output.

 Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval.

Add a comment: Michael

 

 

Comments: 97, on the topic: Photo tricks. Part 8.

  • Lera pavlov

    Good day. I’m shooting the camera in M ​​and the TTL flash. As I understand it, in this version the flash will always adjust the pulse power to the camera settings and you can change the pulse power only through + \ - the flash. Does it seem so more convenient to you say that?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Actually, I wrote about this. Flash power is changed in this way with both + \ - on the flash and + \ - normal exposure compensation.

  • Lera pavlov

    Thanks for the answer, then I'm on the right track.

  • Konstantin

    Thank you very much for the article. That’s what I did in principle, I shot in (M) I just didn’t know that the flash itself adjusts in power to (TTL)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Many do not know this, because I am writing about it.

  • Igor

    At times I see, then I have fallen asleep in TTL mode, because the pressure to sleep is not seen before the object, which is indicated by the diaphragms and ISO.
    And the axis in the TTL BL mode - already turn and freeze the camera's exposure meter.

    In addition, if you know the camera's aperture priority and TTL mode for sleeping (without BL), then adjusting the camera's showcase to the threshold (1/60) will be added to the camera on distant objects until sleeping.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      However, there will be a 1/60 limit

    • Vakhtang Mjavadze

      Dear, I didn't understand a word ... Spalakh ... But what if I ask a question in Georgian, and another in Yiddish or Armenian? Somehow you have to respect people - you do not plow in the field, but communicate on the Internet, - a neharosh chalavek ... a zhovtlyachok ...

      • The Hedgehog

        Use a translator, and nobody forbids you to write in Georgian, uncle

        • Vladimir

          Unfortunately, Igor does not know what a translator is. And he does not know that you need to speak the language that everyone understands at least. Apparently with the formation of a hill I’m a little taut.

      • anonym

        if I live with the goods, I will read the goods, maybe just a little boot?

        • Yarkiya

          What are you people ?! You would at least glance at the date of messages.

  • Tori

    in a cafe on the street at night, poor lighting. on the camera, M mode and flash TTL mode. and the camera sometimes refuses to take pictures, the backlight does not turn on and the AF does not see the subject, why? something with the camera, or am I doing something wrong?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Which camera?

  • Dima

    I have a Canon 30D. There is a Canon Speedlite 540EZ (no ETTL and ETTL-II, only TTL and ATTL) and the flash only works in manual mode M, and the Canon Speedlite 430EX II.

    In some situations (for example, a portrait on the porch of a building between the columns, where strong sunlight and shadows are present at the same time) 430 the flash is “wrong” - it counts, etc. When working with it in manual mode, excellent shots turned out.
    My question is, purely technically, will there be a difference between the operation of these two flashes in manual modes (flashes)? Those. Does the 430EX II go down (if not considering the guide number) to the level of 540EZ in manual mode?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      In manual mode at the same focal lengths, etc. should work equally.

  • Oleg

    Good day, Arkady. Sorry for the possibly stupid question, but would love to know how to make such a light effect: https://radojuva.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/cool-winter-for-radojuva.jpg

    • Arkady Shapoval

      A tripod, a slow shutter speed, a flashlight near the guy, he will leave light streaks, and the person in the photo will not be displayed. Shooting options are imprinted in the lower right corner of the photo.

  • Roman

    Hello Arkady! Thank you so much for your work. Everything is understandable and very useful!
    Allow the question. On my d700, when using the flash, both built-in and external, there is a slight delay in the descent. What needs to be changed in the settings? Thanks!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There may be many options:
      1. red eye function on the camera is on
      2. ordinary preflashes delay the descent a little
      3. The usual shutter lag, like 170ms in the D700

      • Roman

        Thank you Arkady! I'll take a look now.

    • Emil

      Roman, let’s solve the question. Have you dealt with the problem of self-timer delay? Because it happens to me.

      • Maksim

        Red eye protection works like that!

  • Alexey

    In the photo, are you running fast and waving a flashlight at high shutter speed? 0o

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes.

  • Sergei

    The camera is in M ​​mode.
    Does the TTL flash pick power for optimal exposure? That's right, I understand you.
    Thanks. Useful information for me.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, this only works in dark conditions and only if shutter speed \ aperture \ iso are set to minus.

  • Sergei

    I did not understand about the “minus” exposure. Why is that?
    In case of “0” exp. it won't work?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      This means that if the shutter speed / aperture will already give a sufficient amount of light, the flash can only light up the frame.

  • Sergei

    Thanks for the help from those in the "tank")))

  • serg

    Arkady I am a beginner photographer. Could you send your article shooting in a nightclub to me by email

  • anonym

    Thanks in advance Sergey

  • Lancet

    In M mode, a flash faster than 1/200 cannot be set during flash, is this typical for 5100? Is it possible to install 1/250?

  • OKSANA

    Hello!!! Please tell me how to turn off the flash pulses. I would like to try to take a picture with a single pulse. (In general, so that the flash fires only once, and there are no pre-flashes)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Not knowing what kind of flash and camera you have, I can't help it.

    • Maksim

      1. Disable red-eye protection!
      2. Use “manual flash output mode” or “flash output lock mode”.

  • OKSANA

    Sorry, SB 700, and Nikon 5100

  • OKSANA

    Another question for you, Arkady, why, when I look through the photos, they are good in quality, but if you put them on the Internet, they are somehow vague, indistinct…. What am I doing wrong?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      When adding photos to certain resources, sites automatically pinch them, that is, reduce the quality and size.

  • OKSANA

    Thanks!!! But to the question about flash pulses, please answer :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Manual flash control mode and auto mode without TTL will help with this, for more details here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/08/flesh-ttl-how-it-works/

      • OKSANA

        Arkady, I will disturb YOU again…. I still have 3 pre-flashes in manual mode, I can't remove them in any way….

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Turn off the red-eye function on the camera.

          • OKSANA

            Thanks, I will try)))

  • OKSANA

    THANKS A LOT!!!!

  • Sanya

    “Flash in TTL mode adjusts the power for optimal exposure.” and if it is completely driven into minus and the flash power is not enough for a normal exposure, then the frame will be dark? but we cannot predict this for sure. we don't know beforehand with what power the flash will fire and how much of this power is still in stock?

  • Eugene

    Now I read your article, picking the settings and suddenly found how to set a different value instead of 1/60. Nikon D5000.
    If you turn on Auto ISO and the minimum shutter speed is set there, shorter than 1/60, then the camera sets it.

    • Razor

      So he will then lift the ISO high.

      • Alexander

        On the D200 this does not work, just checked

    • ioanych

      On the D7000, it worked!
      Thank you!

      • ioanych

        It is limited to 1/320 regardless of aISO and other things, which is logical.

      • Sergei

        Moreover, the ISO limit is also configured there. Yesterday I caught a dog in motion in the backlight, there was a hut, and today I set aISO400 and shutter speed 1 \ 125, it worked.

    • Maksim

      It really is! (D7000).
      And this is exactly the way in mode A to make the shutter speed shorter than 1/60!
      At the same time, automatic iso change can also be used!
      Arkady does not write about this, but this is very necessary information!

  • Nick

    Thank you very much Arkady for your work, I constantly read your articles and want to ask what is the best built-in diffuser on the flash or to purchase a separate diffuser cap from me fluff Nissin Mark 2

  • Nick

    Rather puff thanks in advance for the answer

  • Sergiy

    Privit! Your resource is even better - miracles, simple and intelligent statistics! I pohatkіvets in the photo that in vipadku if I don’t know why until the end I’m not going to go to my site to see your site and how much you know for that! At a glance, I can also use the camera D600 + s700 in M ​​camera mode with configured aperture parameters (3,2) and display windows (500) with 1000 frame projections, good, and when the windows change, the display is bright, and the light comes off. It’s impossible to see it! Judging from that, it’s not enough to wake up the showcase and the diaphragm of the і іso it’s not enough to wake up ???

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If the SB-700 operates in TTL mode, then all components of the exposure are taken into account - ISO, shutter speed, aperture. In low light conditions, I do not recommend shooting with flash in FP mode (below 1/200 sec on Nikon D600).

      • Sergiy

        Dyakuyu for bridal vidpovid! I’m even in danger of whom I have mercy! You don’t recommend FP mode if there are not enough reasons for living more with energy for the burden of bagraticheskie spratsovuvani for any other reasons?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          For many reasons, the main one is that it is not designed to work in low light conditions, while the flash guide number drops dramatically.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2012/08/fotoxitrosti-chast-8/comment-page-1/?replytocom=68512

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2012/08/fotoxitrosti-chast-8/comment-page-1/?replytocom=68512