Need to get better flash photos on D7100 (Page 3): With that setup wouldn't the flash TTL compensate (within it's power limits range) for your change in ISO? Would this confuse someone...

Grahame Loc: Fiji

billnikon wrote:

Use manual on your camera and TTL on your flash. Make sure you are shooting under 1/250 sec.
I like to aim the flash head backwards at a 45 degree and I would start with a base exposure of 1/60 sec. F5.6, iso 800. If your first exposure is under, up the iso, if it's over, down the iso. Experiment until you like the results.
I manually flash my SB-800 at least once every two months to keep the capacitors in shape. About 5-10 flashes is good.

With that setup wouldn't the flash TTL compensate (within it's power limits range) for your change in ISO? Would this confuse someone trying to learn the basics of why his results are well under or over exposed?

I have just confirmed my suspicion in an average size room by shooting the first at 1/60, f/5.6, ISO800 which gave a good subject exposure as would be expected. Adjusting ISO to both 400 and 1600 gave 'exactly' the same image exposure/brightness.

The subject brightness was of course adjustable up and down using the flash +/- FEC.

sxrich

You're welcome......good luck!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Dziadzi wrote:

Yes

Most my attempts at flash have been in the manual mode. Is that the best mode for flash shooting? I am simply looking for a baseline of "suggested settings" for this camera/flash set up. I will gladly experiment once I get a good feel for the best settings to use. I have seen suggestions for "sports settings", but have not seen any suggestions for basic flash setup. Thanks!

You can still us e i-TTL with the camera in manual. Have you tried? Read your manuals. Then if it is a little bright you can use exposure compensation. There is flash compensation also.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

Dziadzi wrote:

I have been taking photos of my 6 grandkids for over 20 years, however, the pictures I take with my Nikon SB-800 are terribly under or over exposed. In all honesty, I don't take many flash photos with this equipment. So, my question is this, what are the best overall camera settings to get good quality flash photos with my D7100 and SB-800? I would really like to take better flash photos. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks! Frank

Here's a photo I've been working on. This was taken with 1 speedlight, a 23x230cm softbox & a little PS

100ISO, f/5.6, shutter 1/160 (or sync speed), flash at 1/8 power about 2ft from bottle.

I always start with 100iso and only raise it when the output of the flash is to weak. I control the exposure using aperture and flash output. Use Shutter speed for controlling Ambient light.

Practice, Practice, Practice. When you think You have it right Practice some more.

There's a section here : The Dynamics of Photographic Lighting run by E.L Shapiro excellent articles on lighting.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-139-1.html

Hope this helps
Steve

Low key lighting
Low key lighting...

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

Dziadzi wrote:

Should I use AF-A, as opposed to AF-S? Which ISO to start, 400? Focus setting.......Matrix? Any other settings, for starters?

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Ude AF-S or AF-C and the loerst ISO you csn. Start with ISO 100 and use Single point AF or a 5 point AF group if you hsve difficulty keeping the single point on the subject.

Mustang1

Grammatical structure and proper diction is everything.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

"…are everything", but yeh. 😉😉

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You'll find this site a treasure trove of information, along with the valuable information you received here so far.
https://strobist.blogspot.com/
--Bob

Dziadzi wrote:

I have been taking photos of my 6 grandkids for over 20 years, however, the pictures I take with my Nikon SB-800 are terribly under or over exposed. In all honesty, I don't take many flash photos with this equipment. So, my question is this, what are the best overall camera settings to get good quality flash photos with my D7100 and SB-800? I would really like to take better flash photos. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks! Frank

Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Dziadzi wrote:

I have been taking photos of my 6 grandkids for over 20 years, however, the pictures I take with my Nikon SB-800 are terribly under or over exposed. In all honesty, I don't take many flash photos with this equipment. So, my question is this, what are the best overall camera settings to get good quality flash photos with my D7100 and SB-800? I would really like to take better flash photos. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks! Frank

Some great tutorials to watch and then take a crack at doing yourself! I love youtube for stuff like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=injHj63lyw8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEnAhkL0i38

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdMEa1JprwA