Speedlight Flash duration? Ideally, I'd like to be able to shot at ISO 100, at f/16, with a speedlight output duration of 1/3400-second or less. With my Nikon SB-600, I am at ISO...

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

Ideally, I'd like to be able to shot at ISO 100, at f/16, with a speedlight output duration of 1/3400-second or less. With my Nikon SB-600, I am at ISO 120/160, at f/11, and a duration of 1/3400-sec (25% power). Any flashes that would do that?

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If I'm reading right you want to have a smaller aperture F/16 at 1/4 flash power at ISO100, Correct. Maybe Douglass can help with the flash power readings. Is your flash still mounted on top of your camera, or have you moved it down to just above your lens?? I currently still have mine mounted on top, but now use the YN568EX speedite I'm always at ISO200 1/200 shutter speed at F/14 or F/16 around 1/4 power, depending on the subject. Lighter colored subjects, down to 1/8 power. Any specific reason your are set on the mentioned settings??? Your specific flash has a low profile, I use to have one. You could easily build a softbox to extend out to the end of your lens which in turn would allow you to lower your power if that's what your looking to do.

twowindsbear

The easiest way to accomplish this is to move the flash closer to the subject. 50% closer should get you from f/11 to f/16, and moving about another 25% or so should get you from ISO 120/160 to closer to ISO 100.
I'm really curious what you're shooting that requires these settings.

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

martinfisherphoto wrote:

If I'm reading right you want to have a smaller ap... (show quote)

I made some changes and the end of the softbox is a little past the end of the lens, but not in the field of view. I want to use ISO 100 so that I can get more detail with the camera I have. While I'm making a wish list, going from f/11 to f/16 would also be nice. Just wondering if there was a flash that would help me get to those setting.

twowindsbear wrote:

I'm really curious what you're shooting that requires these settings.

I'd like to have less grain and more DOF so that is where the setting come from.

(Download)

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I previously used a Nikon SB-600 with a 6x8-inch softbox diffuser for my macro illumination, and camera settings of ISO 400 & f/16. 2-years back, I acquired a used Nissin Di866 speedlight, which is a more powerful unit. Now I shoot at ISO 200 at f/16 (which allows sunlight background illumination), with a speedlight output setting of 1/8-power to 1/4-power.
Here is the thread that compares speedlight output: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-208134-1.html

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Deb has my SB-600 now and shoots at 1/200 ISO200 and F/16 in the 1/4 flash power range now.. Slow your shutter speed down to at least 1/200 or 1/160, allows more light in. Make sure that the Flash Diffuser, that clear plastic thing that slides in and out of the flash head is not Over the flash, I never use it, as it kills about half of the flash illumination.. Also make sure the flash is at the Widest setting I believe 24mm is the widest. Don't be afraid of ISO200. Even at ISO100 I still use my Nik software to remove any noise before I process the photos. If you have done the above mentioned you should have enough power from this little flash.. If not, I guess you will have to up grade..
Just a side note, I would be interested in your little flash if you decide to change out.

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

Nikonian72 wrote:

I previously used a Nikon SB-600 with a 6x8-inch softbox diffuser for my macro illumination, and camera settings of ISO 400 & f/16. 2-years back, I acquired a used Nissin Di866 speedlight, which is a more powerful unit. Now I shoot at ISO 200 at f/16 (which allows sunlight background illumination), with a speedlight output setting of 1/8-power to 1/4-power. Here is the thread that compares speedlight output: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-208134-1.html

Thanks for the input and thread editing. I'll see if I can borrow a more powerful flash and check the results.

martinfisherphoto wrote:

Deb has my SB-600 now and shoots at 1/200 ISO200 a... (show quote)

I know that any one change is only going to make a small difference. I do like my images better at 160 than 200 iso. I tried not using the built in flash diffuser this morning, but I didn't see any improvement and on the downside, I think the zoom motor runs each time the flash wakes without it.
I'm going to keep the flashes I have (2 SB600, 1 SB28). I don't see much power difference in the field between the two models, but I like the metal foot on the SB600. Plus it reports the power setting and the SB28 does not.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Check the specs on the SB-910.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

BobHartung wrote:

Check the specs on the SB-910.

It is on the chart.

Speedlight GN Comparison Chart

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Just making an observation, when looking at your set-up it looks like your over shooting your subject with the speedlite. The end of the flash is shoved up to the top of the diffuser. I really can't think of any reason why your speedlite will not produce enough power at lower settings when you can bend the flash and set it at the end of your lens. I hate to keep rehashing my point, but just trying to help. I'll be quiet now..

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

martinfisherphoto wrote:

Just making an observation, when looking at your set-up it looks like your over shooting your subject with the speedlite. The end of the flash is shoved up to the top of the diffuser. I really can't think of any reason why your speedlite will not produce enough power at lower settings when you can bend the flash and set it at the end of your lens. I hate to keep rehashing my point, but just trying to help. I'll be quiet now..

The picture is how I generally have it setup. I'll give it a try having the flash head pointed at the focal point and then I'll put on the diffuser. I appreciate any ideas from my macro buddies. :)

A-PeeR Loc: Houston, Texas

martinfisherphoto wrote:

The end of the flash is shoved up to the top of the diffuser. I really can't think of any reason why your speedlite will not produce enough power at lower settings when you can bend the flash and set it at the end of your lens.

Agreed, that is why I make my own diffusers. Face of the flashhead is never more than 1.5 to 2 inches away from the diffuser face. Not super critical for 1:1 but when you start pushing high magnifications it really helps. Setup like this does have the disadvantage of blocking overhead ambient light for focusing. Conversely, it has the advantage of blocking ambient overhead light so you don't get nasty sun glare.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

martinfisherphoto wrote:

. . . your set-up looks like (speedlight) is over shooting your subject . . . The end of the flash is shoved up to the top of the diffuser.

I agree! It is imperative that the 6x8-inch white diffuser face is perpendicular to light path from speedlight flash tube. When you deploy the SB-600 drop-down plastic diffuser, the light pattern automatically shifts to widest pattern, which provides the most even illumination.