Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Is there anyone on UHH who knows how to set a Sony RX10m4 on camera flash for maximum distance at full power, yet cut off when properly exposed to avoid over exposure? (Suggestions will be appreciated.)
Talk about a conundrum! I am now a member of Botanica Gardens where I like to take wild bird photographs. Recently I discovered that the birds currently are very active there from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and after that they disappear like someone threw an invisible switch. The good news is that still gives me subjects to photograph. The bad news is I have to shoot at 6400 ISO and end up with images with enough noise to wear out my computer using Photoshop to remove "noise."
In the next few days, I plan to go back around noon, when the sun is high and I can make both JPEG and RAW images with my Sony RX10M4 at 200 ISO, if a solitary bird shows up. In the meantime, I will continue working on my existing images by masking the Mallards; reducing the noise in the back ground and try getting close enough to use a fill flash in the future.

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kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Low light photography will test you that's for sure.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Try an external flash set to TTL and use a Better Beamer or Magmod flash extender. For a built in flash, look at the Rogue Safari flash extender.

rmcgarry331

From your metadata it looks like you are shooting with an effective focal length of 600mm. At that distance, your built in flash even with the Rouge flash extender, will never reach. Even a high powered external flash with a Better Beamer or Magmod extender will be challenged to reach that far.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Actually, a Better Beamer will extend your flash up to two whole stops, so an f/5.6 lens will have the light of an f/2.8 lens at up to about 90 feet. However, there are so many variables involved - distance, ambient light, shutter speed, size of subject, color of subject. The only way you will know if a flash extender will help is to actually try it and discover where it will and where it won't help. Even the Rogue Safari over the pop up flash on my Canon 7D Mark II with a 100-400mm Sigma gives surprising results, as does the Better Beamer with the same camera and the Sigma Sport 150-600mm lens. I just got the Magmod extender to try. Haven't had the chance to test it yet, but it is easier and faster to set up than the BB.

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Thanks lowkick!

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Image looks highly processed for noise. Why not show us what comes out of the camera. In film days, I occasionally used large grained film. Grain isn't so bad if the image is otherwise sharp.

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

Better Beamer will provide exposure increase even at 600mm. It will provide fill and ISO reduction during blue hour. Easy to use and attach to the flash.
Birds shot at mid day sunlight could prove disappointing due to high contrast.

Shooter41 Loc: Wichita, KS

Good suggestions Properframe!