Comments on: 71 — Portable flash

By: admin

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:52:01 +0000

The flash and the camera are two separate beasts that work together.
The fact that the flash can fire fast has nothing to do with the flash sync speed. The sync speed has to do with the camera and the mechanical limitations of keeping the CAMERA’s shutter open long enough for the flash to fire and register. You can defeat or cheat this max sync speed by using dedicated higher end flashes that have a “hi sync speed” feature.

By: Tom Restis

Tom Restis — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:56:45 +0000

In your podcast on Portable Flashes you had mentioned in the begining that the reason that the shutter speed does not control exposure is that the flash is sooooo fast ~ 1/5000 to 1/10000. My confusion is then with flash sync max of ~ 1/200. If the flash is 1/5000 why the max flash sync of 1/200???

By: admin

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:42:38 +0000

You are correct jabber. In manual mode, ignore the camera's underexposed reading. In the other modes (Aperture/shutter)the meter should work fine. "BTW, is there any general rule-of-thumb about how low you can go with shutter speed when using flash (handheld)?" It's a good question that requires some play and will depend on what the subject matter is AND how far it is from the flash. I usually will shoot people with on camera flash at no slower than 1/15 and I still prefer 1/60 or faster when possible. It all depends on the level of ambient light that I'm also trying to capture. But again that 1/15 is for the background so it's unlikely to be tack sharp at 1/15. My flash lighting the person is much faster than that so it still freezes the subject. But do your own tests - it's the BEST way to learn. Hope that helps - Marko

By: jabber

jabber — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:45:56 +0000

Thanks, Marko. FYI, one thing that took me a little while to get my head around–and that I only noticed because I was shooting in Manual mode in the camera–is that with the flash I can get nice handheld shots even when the on-camera exposure level indicator suggests the exposure is going to be way under. It seems with flash I really have to look at that indicator differently, right? BTW, is there any general rule-of-thumb about how low you can go with shutter speed when using flash (handheld)?

By: admin

admin — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:44:59 +0000

Two questions: 1) Can I assume from your references to changing the shutter speed that I want to be shooting in Manual mode anytime I need to blend flash and ambient light creatively? 2) How do you feel about the various diffusers on the market‚¦Sto-fen, Lightsphere, Lumiquest 80–20‚“do you typically use one? Do you have a favorite? Cheers, j

Hey jabber! My pleasure and thanks so much for that compliment!
Here goes the answers:
1– Depends Just kidding. I HATE that answer. The answer is no, you’ll use different modes. For me it’s more about time though. If I’m setting anything up (products/studio portrait/ off-camera flash lighting etc), yes for sure I’m on manual mode in the camera. Also for learning, this is the best mode to start with. But If I’m shooting an event with people and it’s daytime, I’m likely on Aperture Priority. To balance the light this way again is easy. Use the plus minus feature on the back on the flash in “TTL Mode (ETTL, ITTL etc.)on the flash”. Plus should add more light than the ambient light reading your camera gives. Minus should add less light than the ambient light reading your camera gives. This offers some good fast control.

2 — I have to do some testing on these, I don’t have much experience with them. I mostly bounce the flash and use the white-card method, though I’ve seen nice results from others. Likely make a fun review podcast at some point

Thanks again for suggesting the topic Jabber!

By: jabber

jabber — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:47:24 +0000

Thanks for helping to unravel the mysteries of the external flash, Marko. I just listened to the podcast for a second time. You’re an excellent teacher (and I should know–that’s my profession). Two questions: 1) Can I assume from your references to changing the shutter speed that I want to be shooting in Manual mode anytime I need to blend flash and ambient light creatively? 2) How do you feel about the various diffusers on the market…Sto-fen, Lightsphere, Lumiquest 80–20–do you typically use one? Do you have a favorite? Cheers, j

By: admin

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:40:43 +0000

Great tip Jacklabel!!
I specifically stayed away from talking much about using the FLASH on manual mode as I thought it might be too much for 1 podcast. But I do know that there are many advanced amateurs that listen so thanks! I expect to do a podcast only on using flash in manual mode at some point in the future. Thx again!

By: jacklabel

jacklabel — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:37:14 +0000

Great podcast Marko, just want to add since people will be trying to take pictures of water and flash (=splash), when you use flash there is something called flash duration, flash duration may vary depending on the power used, if you use full power you will notice that you cant get tack sharp frozen in time water, and you will get some blurry small drops, now if you lower the flash power, the flash duration may speed up to 1/2000s whish can perfectly freeze water drops.

By: admin

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:47:01 +0000

Hey Nijip — Thanks for joining!
This is personal stuff. I like the pocket wizard because it is 100% reliable and it works with various different brands of camera. The canon transmitter will likely only work with canons…so if you ever buy a new brand of camera.…you may also have to buy a new transmitter. There are other 3rd party transmitters but the PW is the only one i have experience with.

By: Nijip

Nijip — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:44:35 +0000

Hi. Finaly stopped lurking and signed up to the web site. Have been progressively listening to old pod casts and this one is very well timed as i just got a 430EX flash yesterday.

My question is if the Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter is worth getting or if a pocket wizard is the only way to go for off camera flash?