flash exposure compensation: When I need to set some exposure compensation while using flash, does it matter if I make the adjustment on the flash or in the camera? Will the camera...

tmicro Loc: Walkertown,N.C.

When I need to set some exposure compensation while using flash, does it matter if I make the adjustment on the flash or in the camera? Will the camera override the flash adjustment? I'm using a D-7000 and SB-800 set for TTL-BL. thanks, Troy

amehta Loc: Boston

tmicro wrote:

When I need to set some exposure compensation while using flash, does it matter if I make the adjustment on the flash or in the camera? Will the camera override the flash adjustment? I'm using a D-7000 and SB-800 set for TTL-BL. thanks, Troy

I thought you had to do it on the flash, the camera control applies to the built-in flash only. But I tried it (D800, SB800), and changing the flash compensation on the camera absolutely changed the flash output. I do use the setting on the flash, so I already knew that worked. So I believe the answer is, "both do the same thing."

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Something I just started playing with is using manual settings on my speedlites. Be interested in comments for hoggers

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

tmicro wrote:

When I need to set some exposure compensation while using flash, does it matter if I make the adjustment on the flash or in the camera? Will the camera override the flash adjustment? I'm using a D-7000 and SB-800 set for TTL-BL. thanks, Troy

I have a D200 with an SB400 flash. My testing has shown that the "camera's" compensation adjustment button affects both the shots taken with and without the flash being turned on.

When making use of the "flash" compensation button only, it only affects shots taken with the flash.

rbrown919 Loc: Bowie MD

With the SB-700, I can use the camera or flash to adjust flash output. However, if I make adjustments on both, the flash output is changed by the cumulative total of the two adjustments. In other words, the camera adjustment "adds" to the flash adjustment. Should be the same for the SB-800.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

gemlenz wrote:

Something I just started playing with is using manual settings on my speedlites. Be interested in comments for hoggers

FYI: flash compensation only applies to TTL...where you are "overriding" the "decision" that the camera makes when it "preflashes" and decides how much to flash.

Manual flash doesn't work this way...on manual flash you choose the power setting and distance to subject yourself.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

got it...I think...lol...

rpavich wrote:

FYI: flash compensation only applies to TTL...where you are "overriding" the "decision" that the camera makes when it "preflashes" and decides how much to flash.

Manual flash doesn't work this way...on manual flash you choose the power setting and distance to subject yourself.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

gemlenz wrote:

got it...I think...lol...

That's funny.

Flash exposure compensation is like shooting in an auto mode but for flash.

You know...you point your camera at snow and it makes a bad decision and the snow looks gray so you adjust the exposure compensation to make the snow look white?

Same thing here...you point your camera at something grey...the flash is spot on....

You point it at a black cat...and now it's over exposed...or you point it at a white dog and now it's underexposed....

same idea.

TTL drives me crazy sometimes....lol.

I LOVE hand held meters and manual flash....no surprises.

amehta Loc: Boston

tmicro wrote:

When I need to set some exposure compensation while using flash, does it matter if I make the adjustment on the flash or in the camera? Will the camera override the flash adjustment? I'm using a D-7000 and SB-800 set for TTL-BL. thanks, Troy

I think there may be some confusion as people read this. There are three controls that we could be discussing:
1. exposure compensation (EC)
2. flash exposure compensation set on the camera (FEC-c)
3. flash exposure compensation set on the flash (FEC-f)

EC and FEC result in very different images, especially in TTL-BL mode on the SBx00, where the camera and flash work together to balance the ambient and flash light. Adjusting FEC changes the balancing between ambient and flash. Adjusting EC change the overall exposure of the image.

I interpreted Troy's question as whether FEC-c and FEC-f have the same effect, and when I tried it, the answer was "they're the same". That's for Nikons. It may be different with a different system.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

amehta wrote:

I think there may be some confusion as people read... (show quote)

I just watched a video on this from B&H- the Nikon D4 has a different system where exposure comp in camera and in flash work independently. All other Nikons work as previously described.