Flash advice

Coleman Photography · January 12, 2010

I want to start using flash (off camera). and I have been reading strobist. think im ready for a flash. haha. whats guys thoughts on the LumoPro LP120. I know im going to end up getting multiple flashes so thought i would start with on of these.

Art Scott · January 12, 2010

Here are my thoughts: I know nothing of the lumipro flashes....so I would not consider them.....I do know workhorse flashes.......Vivatar 285HV........now you shoot Nikon....I would suggest that if you can afford a SB900...go with that one....it is Nikons best.....my avatar was shot wit ha single SB900 and a Paul C Buff White Lightning 5000....the WL5000 was my back light.........
I really like what I have been able to do with the SB900 except that you cannot turn off the damn preflash or turn it low enuff to not fire studio falshes that have built in optical slaves.....my other Nikon gripe is that when you are using the pop up flash as commander or a SB900 as commander the pc sync port is disabled....so I cannot fire Sb900's with commander and other flashes with radio trigger......
Other than that I am really liking the SB900 and -plan on getting more but I also plan on having several Vivatar 285HV's a portable back ups.......they are powerful and very time tested as reliable and rugged.....my last one died about 6 months ago and it was already 25yrs old.....they run best off of Quantum Battery 1 or 1+....that i buy off ebay even if the battery will not hold a charge as I can have them rebuilt fairly inexpensively....as long as they come with a working charger..................

time2smile · January 13, 2010

If you want cheap but descent, I found these, they are ittl, need to Fv before when using a non Nikon lens (tamron). They also have a built in slave, like mentioned in strobist.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390086379063&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Art, You cant Fv lock, to prevent the preflash. I use it on my D90 so the peanuts dont go off early.

angevin1 · January 13, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

I want to start using flash (off camera). and I have been reading strobist. think im ready for a flash. haha. whats guys thoughts on the LumoPro LP120. I know im going to end up getting multiple flashes so thought i would start with on of these.

Congrats on the step up!

All I can say is, I couldn't imagine ever starting out with off cam flash without using one of the Nikon SB models.

My cheap and tested suggestion would be to buy a SB-600 and use it off cam and use your camera as the commander and try that, then step yo game up when ready!

As an aside to the preflash [on Cam when in commander] overtly contributing to the exposure..I had that problem when I shot ttl..but now I shoot manual and no longer have that issue. In manual mode the flash does what you say, in ttl, it always try's to get the proper exposure.

summarizing: SB series 600,800,900 any of them are a smart choice for your camera.

Cheers,

Coleman Photography · January 13, 2010

Thanks guys ideally i would love to get the sb 600 and eventually I will. funds are a tad tight right now. Im not 100% sure the difference in flashes what would be the difference in the Vivatar 285HV and the sb-600. for off camera flash

angevin1 · January 13, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Thanks guys ideally i would love to get the sb 600 and eventually I will. funds are a tad tight right now. Im not 100% sure the difference in flashes what would be the difference in the Vivatar 285HV and the sb-600. for off camera flash

Can't say for certain about differences not having used the Vivitar.

But, the Sb is made by the Nikon guru's and it is without a doubt a substantial piece...I have dropped mine into the bottom of a water fall seeing it flash as it sank, and now I have another one I gutted and removed the internal battery and added an external one...they just defy my attempts at killing them~and yes, they both still work~

Saw one on CL two days ago local for $150..don't know quite why I didn't snag it...I only have 3~

Good Luck~

angevin1 · January 13, 2010

Also meant to add...the Vivitar will not slave to your camera without a trigger.

SO you will end up spending I think...one way or another~

Coleman Photography · January 13, 2010

Thank you so that being said so with the Vivatar 285HV I would have to use a pc cord or pocket wizard correct.

angevin1 · January 13, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Thank you so that being said so with the Vivatar 285HV I would have to use a pc cord or pocket wizard correct.

Yes. Somehow you'll have to tell it to fire. The hat trick with the Sb6,8,9 is, they can aid you in TTL on/off cam ...TTL can be hugely useful if you need the light to be correct, bright and if it is changing fast~ ah..and the rub..no trigger needed!

ps: some folks have trouble with the SB's going far, but mine, outside I've measured to 98 feet slaving line of sight. inside a room, IR signals bounce so much, you can fire them from around a corner~

pathfinder · January 13, 2010

You can use a Wein peanut optical slave to trigger your 285HV. The slave will plug right in to the Vivitar PC connection on the 285HV. Mine works quite well that way, as long as you are not shooting in a crowd of folks shooting with flash.

Jwar · January 13, 2010

I say go for the sb600. The sb600 is a great compliment for your nikon. I think it was a good starting point for me. I think the SB600 is easy to use and i've had no problems. It has enough power to light my subject. Here's an example after just a few weeks of playing around, I impressed myself.

Off camera is easy, you can even put the flash next to you or behind you and it still works!

It will be good in the future if you continue to grow your system, SB900 can be your next step then use the SB600 as a second flash.

Art Scott · January 13, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Thanks guys ideally i would love to get the sb 600 and eventually I will. funds are a tad tight right now. Im not 100% sure the difference in flashes what would be the difference in the Vivatar 285HV and the sb-600. for off camera flash

The Vivitar is a totally manual flash......so you'd have to shoot your camera in manual mode ........The Sb600 is an ittl flash and will communicate with the camera to a degree.....With any manual flash it is best to also won and use a flash meter, preferably an incident flash meter.....I see all sorts of really good ones on ebay for very little most of the time.

I have never owned a SB600 and really stretched my budget to get the SB900 but i am really glad I went to the top. It will be my main flash for weddings and location portraits or any location shooting for that matter.

This flash has dropped in price dramatically over the years.....it used to list around 225 now can be purchased from 99.9% of all retailers for $89.00 brand new.....there are some trying to sell it for full list but I am certain they will see the light whem they still have their same inventory a year from now..........................

Qarik · January 13, 2010

if you don't get a nikon flash then you simply "waste" all the great CLS capabilities by getting some off brand. my advice..save up for an SB600 at the least. You'll just end up spending the same for triggers and an off brand flash and still not get a setup as good as the sb600.

do it once and do it right.

Art Scott · January 13, 2010

Qarik wrote:

if you don't get a nikon flash then you simply "waste" all the great CLS capabilities by getting some off brand. my advice..save up for an SB600 at the least. You'll just end up spending the same for triggers and an off brand flash and still not get a setup as good as the sb600.

do it once and do it right.

Are Alien Bees or White Lightning flashes off brands......no just different brands......Vivtars are not off brand....they were industry standards for several decades.....they are still very viable for use by any serious amateur or PRO photog......they do not communicate with camera or anything else........They are very reliable and rugged as they are not stuffed with chips and electronics.....in a sense they are simple flashes.....but only in the since that they have no microprocessors built into them........Vivitar, Metz, Sunpak, Norman, Promaster, Achiever, Nissin and some others have been around for a very long time.....they have earned the right to be main stream flashes from their longevity in the market share if for no other reason...........if one is comfortable with using a manual flash then when one moves in to the realm of dedicated intelligent flashes he/she will be much more ready to handle that situation that will inevitably come up when the brain of the iTTL flash dies and it will only work in total manual mode......

Yes you can operate an iTTL flash in total manual mode but if you start with a less expensive manual flash then you have no choice but to learn how to properly expose a photograph, without the ability to cheat...............

The bottom line is that all flashes do one thing in the end.....expose the scene......and I can expose the scene just as well with a Vivitar 285HV as I can with my $500 SB900........I can do multi flash, I can vary the output from full to almost nothing........yes you have to make the changes yourself but that is how one learns........

Another reason not to invest in expensive iTTL flashes to start with is if one decides that flash is not for them....they do not have as much invested to try and recoup............and the Vivitar 285HV is still a very hot seller........................

Coleman Photography · January 19, 2010

Ok, so i finally got a flash. I ended up getting the sb-600. I ended up getting it for an amazing deal. brandnew for 120.00. Now can some of you guys help me out. haha. Im not really for sure like how to shoot. it like of course i can use it but should i shoot in manual or ttl or what. and how does it work with my camera. just basic help would be great.

time2smile · January 19, 2010

The best way to learn is to use it and try different things, heres some good reading on what it does
http://nikonclspracticalguide.blogspot.com/

Check the CLS, and BL sections

Good Luck, you got a great deal on a flash you won't regret...

angevin1 · January 19, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Ok, so i finally got a flash. I ended up getting the sb-600. I ended up getting it for an amazing deal. brandnew for 120.00. Now can some of you guys help me out. haha. Im not really for sure like how to shoot. it like of course i can use it but should i shoot in manual or ttl or what. and how does it work with my camera. just basic help would be great.

Hey Congrats on that flash!

First...I gotta know where you got one new for 120...that is a deal!

Go to your menu, it is #e brackting/flash and the choose e3 flash, the 3rd one down and go in there and set the flash to TTL, hit ok.

2. Set the menu selections of the SB600 by hitting the zoom and - buttons at the same time.
You scroll thru the different options by using the - button once inside the settings menu.
you turn a setting on/off by using the mode button.
When you are done inside the menu, hit those two buttons again at the same time and you're outta there .

3.Mount it on your camera

4. Meter for the scene like you normally would in Manual mode and let fly with flash and all.

5. Hint use the cameras flash adjustment button to power up/down on your flash power a bit.

6. Using this thing off camera is just as easy. All you have to do is adjust the camera in e3 AND adjust the SB600 to ~ slave on in the menu settings.

Have fun! Tell us here how it works out. or even better, post some photos~

Art Scott · January 19, 2010

angevin1 wrote:

Hey Congrats on that flash!

First...I gotta know where you got one new for 120...that is a deal!

Yeah...I'd like to know also........Great find!!

thumb

Coleman Photography · January 20, 2010

Thanks guys. Yes the price was amazing i could not pass it up. I found it through a friend of a friend. His parents got him 2 for christmas and this one he opend up and used one time and then decided to sell them because he already had pocket wizerds and is just buying some off brand ones so he can get a few more. he as another one forsale for 150. never opened. And i messed with it all night and figured it out on camera and off camera. luckily the stand for my reflectors works for it and i just need to get the umbrealla adapter for the top, found them on amazon for 15.00.

A few questions I have is, when i use it off camera and use the pop up flash to triger it the pop up flash is still contributing to the exposure I think becasue i did a few SP and I had that pin needle catch light in the center of my eye and yes i set the built in flash under bracket/flash to "=" where its just commanding. and how should i set my camera settings for shooting indoor. like shutter 1/60th iso 200 f5.6. and say i take the picture with those setting without the flash on and its still really dark barrely visable then turn the flash on and fire away and it looks good. is that just making the flash work harder more output. and i should jump up the iso and aparture so it just barely underexposed. Sorry for such a long post. and thanks guys for all the help.

Art Scott · January 20, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Thanks guys. Yes the price was amazing i could not pass it up. I found it through a friend of a friend. His parents got him 2 for christmas and this one he opend up and used one time and then decided to sell them because he already had pocket wizerds and is just buying some off brand ones so he can get a few more. he as another one forsale for 150. never opened. And i messed with it all night and figured it out on camera and off camera. luckily the stand for my reflectors works for it and i just need to get the umbrealla adapter for the top, found them on amazon for 15.00.

A few questions I have is, when i use it off camera and use the pop up flash to triger it the pop up flash is still contributing to the exposure I think becasue i did a few SP and I had that pin needle catch light in the center of my eye and yes i set the built in flash under bracket/flash to "=" where its just commanding. and how should i set my camera settings for shooting indoor. like shutter 1/60th iso 200 f5.6. and say i take the picture with those setting without the flash on and its still really dark barrely visable then turn the flash on and fire away and it looks good. is that just making the flash work harder more output. and i should jump up the iso and aparture so it just barely underexposed. Sorry for such a long post. and thanks guys for all the help.

Can you give us a shot of your set up?? or at least a diagram......how close is the flash to you when shooting....need all oertinent info to give
good answers....

angevin1 · January 20, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

A few questions I have is, when i use it off camera and use the pop up flash to triger it the pop up flash is still contributing to the exposure I think becasue i did a few SP and I had that pin needle catch light in the center of my eye and yes i set the built in flash under bracket/flash to "=" where its just commanding. and how should i set my camera settings for shooting indoor. like shutter 1/60th iso 200 f5.6. and say i take the picture with those setting without the flash on and its still really dark barrely visable then turn the flash on and fire away and it looks good. is that just making the flash work harder more output. and i should jump up the iso and aparture so it just barely underexposed. Sorry for such a long post. and thanks guys for all the help.

Try this.

Sit for your SP...a basic bust crop.

1. Set the Sb600 about 3 feet off to the right or left as desired at a 45' angle to your face.

2. Pull down the built in diffuser if you don't have anything else to diffuse it.

3. Set the Camera to ISO 400, Shutter 160, f 5.6 Manual mode.

4. Set the Commander mode e3 to Manual
and set the on cam flash to --
and the Sb to M 1/4
in that menu.

5. Take a shot and then adjust shutter speed or flash output to suit.
too dark, lower shutter speed, or increase flash out
too light raise shutter speed all the way to sync, then go lower on flash out.

6. I think if you try this you'll find the camera's signal not as contributory.

7. tell us how it goes.

cheers,

Coleman Photography · January 20, 2010

angevin1 wrote:

Try this.

Sit for your SP...a basic bust crop.

1. Set the Sb600 about 3 feet off to the right or left as desired at a 45' angle to your face.

2. Pull down the built in diffuser if you don't have anything else to diffuse it.

3. Set the Camera to ISO 400, Shutter 160, f 5.6 Manual mode.

4. Set the Commander mode e3 to Manual
and set the on cam flash to --
and the Sb to M 1/4
in that menu.

5. Take a shot and then adjust shutter speed or flash output to suit.
too dark, lower shutter speed, or increase flash out
too light raise shutter speed all the way to sync, then go lower on flash out.

6. I think if you try this you'll find the camera's signal not as contributory.

7. tell us how it goes.

cheers,

Thanks I have been messing with it a lot and think I have figured it out I will try and post a few shots up soon. I shot close the thougha settings just a tad different. And have flash on camera left mounted with an umbrella. Wow do I like using off camera flash. And thanks for all the help guys

angevin1 · January 21, 2010

Coleman Photography wrote:

Wow do I like using off camera flash. And thanks for all the help guys

And thats why I like the Sb600 and up series..they make it easy to achieve decent results right away when starting out off cam.

Jwar · January 21, 2010

congrats on the SB600, can't wait to see some examples.

Flash advice

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