FLASH: Hi Folks! Holiday Greetings... I am shooting with Nikon D-500 and SB910 flash. I'm looking for some help in identifying an issue I have with my "flash" results. It seems I am...

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Hi Folks!
Holiday Greetings... I am shooting with Nikon D-500 and SB910 flash.
I'm looking for some help in identifying an issue I have with my "flash" results.
It seems I am getting "consistently" under exposed results with TTL, while shooting in manual mode on the flash results in excellent exposure; all be it needing adjustment with settings +/- with power output. Ambient lighting doesn't seem to have any affect on the TTL images. I just can't wrap my head around what I'm doing wrong.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
From past experience I know this is the place to get the best help.
Thanks!!

Hip Coyote

perhaps post some pics so we can all try to help...

Best regards

CO

Nikon has TTL and TTL-BL flash modes. Try both modes. BL was backlit but now they call it balanced fill. It should be BF now instead of BL.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Mondolinni wrote:

Hi Folks! br Holiday Greetings... I am shooting wi... (show quote)

The first thing to check if you haven't already, is that you don't have exposure compensation dialed in on your D500. Then make sure that you are using a metering mode that matches your subject. Then check the Flash section on the first screen of your D500 shooting menu to make sure nothing weird is entered there...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Your D500 has both Exposure Compensation and Flash Compensation

Here is how to use Exposure Compensation on your D500
https://imaging.nikon.com/support/digitutor/d500/functions/exposurecomp.html

Here is how to use Flash Compensation on your D500 (Page 229)
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1101827/Nikon-D500.html?page=229

Please realize that iTTL only works in Matrix Metering...
TTL works in Spot and Center-Weighted Metering

"...Ambient lighting doesn't seem to have any affect on the TTL images..." This is indicative of iTTL (NOT TTL)
Change to Spot Metering and ambient will be disregarded i.e. only the subject area will be metered for Flash Output.

Please read/study Nikon's explanation of the aforementioned. It has a huge impact on how your SB910 works
https://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/basics/18/01.htm

Mount your SB910 on your D500... Turn both on...
Now press the (Mode Button) on the far Left until it reads TTL BL
You are now in "Balanced" Thru The Lens Metering on your SB910.
(Like CO said)

Hope this helps Mondolinni...
All the best on your photographic journey...

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

CO wrote:

Nikon has TTL and TTL-BL flash modes. Try both modes. BL was backlit but now they call it balanced fill. It should be BF now instead of BL.

Copy That; In mode selection I get TTL/FP and TTL BL FP, i don't get just TTL. ? Hmm.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Mondolinni wrote:

Copy That; In mode selection I get TTL/FP and TTL BL FP, i don't get just TTL. ? Hmm.

thanks for the help CO

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thomas902 wrote:

Your D500 has both Exposure Compensation and Flas... (show quote)

Thank You for Your Reply Thomas902, You always offer concise and helpful suggestions...with the settings I had, I never saw iTTL or TTL. All I get is TTL FP and TTL BL FP.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

larryepage wrote:

The first thing to check if you haven't already, is that you don't have exposure compensation dialed in on your D500. Then make sure that you are using a metering mode that matches your subject. Then check the Flash section on the first screen of your D500 shooting menu to make sure nothing weird is entered there...

Thanks for your reply. The "Flash Control" line item in my photo shooting menu doesn't light up to make any changes.
????

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"I never saw iTTL or TTL. All I get is TTL FP and TTL BL FP."
Mondolini my mistake... Just tried it on my D3x... And remembered that you have to set this in the Flash Unit

I corrected my statement above...
Simply use the Mode Button on the SB910 to change to TTL BL FP
(that should balance Ambient with the Subject's illumination)

I've been using a SB700 on my D7200 most of the time because of the weight factor.
That said the SB910 is by far the superior unit.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Mondolinni wrote:

Thanks for your reply. The "Flash Control" line item in my photo shooting menu doesn't light up to make any changes.
????

That function works only with specific flashes. I don't have a SB910, so didn't know if it was on the list. If the function is grayed out, it is one potential cause that you can rule out.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thank You for your input guys...I can't believe I made such a basic mistake. As Thomas902 suggested, my exposure comp on the the camera was set at -3. Duh!!
I guess i was thrown off by the fact that I was getting good results when shooting in manual on the flash.
Honestly I don't understand that, but at least I'm where I need to be now. I apologize, and Thank You at the same time. Happy 2022!

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

larryepage wrote:

The first thing to check if you haven't already, is that you don't have exposure compensation dialed in on your D500. Then make sure that you are using a metering mode that matches your subject. Then check the Flash section on the first screen of your D500 shooting menu to make sure nothing weird is entered there...

Thanks larryepage...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"I guess i was thrown off by the fact that I was getting good results when shooting in manual on the flash..."
Mondolinni when you are in Manual Mode the D500 totally ignores Exposure Compensation...

"Honestly I don't understand that..." Mondolinni the only Exposure "Tool" available while in Manual Mode is Auto ISO which your D500 will always honor even in Manual Mode.

Case in point: I shoot lots of League Soccer in Manual Mode with Auto ISO. Why? I have to assure at least 1/2500 exposure to "Freeze" the action... Even up to 1/4000 if play is very close by. I also need to "Lock" the Aperture at a delicate balance between enough light and ample DOF... However taming Motion Blur is always controlling and actually the anathema of Sports Photography... Keep in mind that Flash is virtually always verboten! So it's pricey fast glass and Auto ISO to meet and/or exceed client expectations...

btw, Commercial Sports has a very costly barrier to entry...
Your Nikon D500 is an epic Sports Camera... One of the best available...

Cheers! Thomas

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

A Lesson Learned!! I wasn't aware of that Thomas! Thank You for that information. Cheers!