To buy a flash or not?
Jul 15, 2012 23:34:07 #
I have money saved and was wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good investment to buy a flash for my camera i was thinking of the sb-700 nikon. Does it make a great difference in your pics?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
Jul 16, 2012 00:07:04 #
I own a Nikon SB-600 speedlight, recently replaced by the SB-700. I use my speedlight every week (see my avatar). It does everything I expect from a high-end speedlight. The larger SB-800 & SB-900 are really designed for professional use. Most amateurs are quite happy with either the SB-600 or SB-700. I purchased mine on eBay.
Speedlight (flash) exposure is just another controllable part of photography. Instant digital results make the learning curve much shorter than learning speedlight photography with film.
Speedlight (flash) exposure is just another controllable part of photography. Instant digital results make the learning curve much shorter than learning speedlight photography with film.
Jul 16, 2012 00:14:13 #
kurme wrote:
I have money saved and was wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good investment to buy a flash for my camera i was thinking of the sb-700 nikon. Does it make a great difference in your pics?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
It's harder if you don't get one. The SB700 is a great flash. You probably don't need more power than what it puts out.
Get an umbrella and learn to use the flash remotely if your camera is capable. Some of the Nikons are equipped to control Nikon flashes automatically from the pop-up flash using the CLS system. You didn't say which camera you have.
Lighting is one of the most important things in photography, especially true for portraits.
If the lighting isn't to your liking, you can do something about it. Learn how to use diffusers, reflectors and other lighting, like flash.
Check out the Strobist website:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/
They have a section called Strobist 101:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html
As far as lenses go, at 70mm, the 24-70 is a good one for portraits, but I like to use even longer focal lengths than that. I use an 85mm, 70-200 or for cropped sensor cameras, the discontinued Sigma 50-150 was a great one.
You could get a macro lens in the 90-105mm range and use it for portraits too. Good macros do tend to be rather expensive though.
Jul 16, 2012 00:44:12 #
Arki
Loc: Vancouver, B.C.
kurme wrote:
I have money saved and was wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good investment to buy a flash for my camera i was thinking of the sb-700 nikon. Does it make a great difference in your pics?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
If money is enough, suggest to consider SB-900 or 910. They are very good in playing remote.
Jul 16, 2012 00:45:19 #
Jul 16, 2012 00:48:14 #
Reply outside the other posters comments... otherwise your post gets hidden.
I did see that you are using a D3100.
It is not capable of doing remote ttl exposure.
You can use inexpensive radio triggers with it, but it will be manual only.
I did see that you are using a D3100.
It is not capable of doing remote ttl exposure.
You can use inexpensive radio triggers with it, but it will be manual only.
Jul 16, 2012 01:04:59 #
I bought my SB-910 at Tri-State Camera for only $429.00, smoking deal as it was $549 at B&H, Adorama and Best Buy at the time. Came complete with all accesories and USA Warranty, hard to buy a lesser model for about the same price in my opinion, this 910 is one powerful flash. Its is almost exactly the same unit as the SB-900 was, but is a revision of that discontinued flash which had a bad overheating problem. The 900 is still available until inventory is depleted. The SB-600 and SB-800 have also been discontinued and not available from Nikon anymore, but there are still dealers around the country that have some in their local inventories. The SB-700 is a good choice at $329, and the SB-400 is also an excellent choice for an accessory flash at a bargain price of only $119, but you will give up some power and versatility with that model.
Whatever you get, a flash is a VERY useful attachment and will give you another dimension of photography to explore. Good luck.
Whatever you get, a flash is a VERY useful attachment and will give you another dimension of photography to explore. Good luck.
Jul 16, 2012 01:30:51 #
ok thanks for all the advice i think i will get the flash i am just having a hard time learning all this stuff and it feels overwhelming! Is it just me or did you guys catch on quick like seriously i feel like i have a block in my brain when iam trying to learn this patience i guess
Jul 16, 2012 01:31:58 #
Jul 16, 2012 01:32:45 #
Math? There is math in photography???
Oh crap! Now I will never be any good at it!!!
Oh crap! Now I will never be any good at it!!!
Jul 16, 2012 01:34:52 #
Jul 16, 2012 05:28:49 #
Buy a flash unit. Learn flash lighting.
You will thank yourself because the use of flash lighting opens more photographic opportunities. Flash lighting also allows more control over lighting conditions.
Web sites that may help you learn flash lighting:
http://www.planetneil.com/
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907
In closing, let me note flash lighting does have its own learning curve. So let me clarify a fundamental of flash lighting: It involves a two-part exposure. The first part takes place when the flash lighting illuminates the main subject. The second part takes place when the ambient lighting illuminates the scene.
For example, if you've set your camera to a Shutter Speed of 1/100 second, then the flash lighting will happen right after the shutter opens. Then it stops.
The shutter stays open for the rest of the 1/100 second to capture the ambient lighting.
Good luck.
You will thank yourself because the use of flash lighting opens more photographic opportunities. Flash lighting also allows more control over lighting conditions.
Web sites that may help you learn flash lighting:
http://www.planetneil.com/
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907
In closing, let me note flash lighting does have its own learning curve. So let me clarify a fundamental of flash lighting: It involves a two-part exposure. The first part takes place when the flash lighting illuminates the main subject. The second part takes place when the ambient lighting illuminates the scene.
For example, if you've set your camera to a Shutter Speed of 1/100 second, then the flash lighting will happen right after the shutter opens. Then it stops.
The shutter stays open for the rest of the 1/100 second to capture the ambient lighting.
Good luck.
kurme wrote:
I have money saved and was wondering if anyone thinks it would be a good investment to buy a flash for my camera i was thinking of the sb-700 nikon. Does it make a great difference in your pics?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
I have a 24-70 2.8
50 1.4
18-55
Or should i invest in something else? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: i am into portrait photography:)
I am quite intimidated by flash for some reason is it hard to learn?
Scene Near Bryce Canyon NP
Jul 16, 2012 06:29:22 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
Yes, get a flash! And, like others have suggested, learn to use it off camera. I have a D3100 with yong nuo (brand name) remote triggers and I can do wireless remote photography. There is a learning curve involved, but if I can do it, then you'll be able to do it too! You can learn a lot on Youtube in addition to some of the other sources mentioned in this thread.
Jul 16, 2012 06:38:55 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
If you do get a flash, a compelling reason to get the SB900 or SB910 model rather than the cheaper models mentioned is that the 900's have a much more intuitive menu system AND they can swivel 180 degrees both left and right which gives you more control in where to aim your flash when bouncing it off walls, something you will want to do.
Jul 16, 2012 06:51:02 #
kurme wrote:
ok thanks for all the advice i think i will get the flash i am just having a hard time learning all this stuff and it feels overwhelming! Is it just me or did you guys catch on quick like seriously i feel like i have a block in my brain when iam trying to learn this patience i guess
My advice is to get a flash and start practicing. You will be glad you did.
As far as others learning faster, don't worry about that. Most of us have been practicing for 30 years or more .... and still have plenty to learn ! I know I do.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.