Flash is a device which provides additional light to a scene. It can be used to help fill in a dark area of a photo, to provide light if there isn't sufficient light to begin with, or it can help to improve the composition of a particular photo, by creating your own source of light.
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1answer
271 views
How can I use flash more effectively in club photography?
I took some shots at a club/bar of DJ's for the first time. I tried a lot of different techniques, and I can't figure out how to better my flash shots.
These were some of my worst shots, because I ...
4
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4answers
2k views
Is Flash a Must-Have For Macro Photography?
I want to start into macro photography this year so I've chose the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens to start with (I still haven't bought it since I'll do it next week, which I'll be in the ...
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2answers
1k views
Are there any compatibility issues with Canon 60D body and the Canon Speedlite 430EX?
I have an opportunity to purchase a rarely used Canon Speedlite 430EX flash. I admit I know next to nothing about flashes but want to learn the basics with this one. I understand that this is an ...
3
votes
3answers
394 views
What type of flash/diffuser was used in this picture?
What type of flash/diffuser was used
in this picture ? I am amazed of the by level of diffused light. I am sure there is a lot of post processing but i believe the lighting is the most important ...
20
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3answers
492 views
How to Avoid Red-Eye in Photos?
Although tools exist to remove red-eye in post-production, what's the best way to avoid it while creating the photograph in the field?
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1answer
92 views
Is it possible to manually controll the flash while using the BULB manual exposure setting on a Canon XSi?
To explain a little more, I want to be able manually set off the flash more than once for the purpose of having a double exposure while shooting in manual exposure mode. Is there a way to do this ...
3
votes
3answers
765 views
What kind of batteries will provide the fastest recharge/recycle time for a flash unit like the 430EX II?
I have gotten deep into bird photography this year, and have put a lot of time and effort into learning the tricks of the trade. My latest endeavors are into bird/bif flash photography. I own a Canon ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
What cheap flashes can be wirelessly triggered by a Nikon SB-900?
I have a Nikon SB-900 and I love it. I am looking to expand my off camera capabilities and would love to buy another flash.
The one important factor I'm looking for is the compatibility between my ...
5
votes
2answers
367 views
Outdoor flash lights on a budget?
What are the best options for having outdoor flash lighting? I have seen a few kits for sale on ebay that cost around $1000 which include 2 lights, a battery pack, umbrellas and soft box covers.
I ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Why is my ISO so high when shooting indoor photos with flash
I have a Nikon D5100. When shooting indoor photos using the built in flash, the auto ISO changes to 1600 or so.
Doesn't the flash produce enough light so that the ISO would stay at 100 or so?
...
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2answers
128 views
Does the back of the case for the Nikon SB-400 (SS-400) have a loop?
This is kind of a lame question, but I'm wondering if the back of the case for the Nikon SB-400 have a loop to carry it on a belt or strap. The model number for the case is SS-400 and looks like this:
...
20
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5answers
829 views
What exactly is flash sync speed, and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
What exactly is flash sync speed and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
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2answers
2k views
Why is the D7000 limited to shutter speed of 1/250th when the flash is up?
Sometimes in bright backlight and with large aperture (f2.8) I want flash at high shutter speeds. But when I pop the flash up on D7000 it caps the shutter speed to 1/250th, which overexposes the ...
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votes
1answer
193 views
Is trailing curtain sync with manual power settings possible with Metz flashes on Pentax?
I want to use manual flash power settings in combination with trailing sync with older manual non-smc (m42) lenses on a Pentax K-7.
This is for extreme macro and focus stacking. I'm using microscope ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views
What should I consider when choosing continuous lighting vs. strobes for studio photography?
If one were to want to get started with studio photography (I'm thinking things like portraits, headshots, perhaps pets, etc) what would be the considerations in choosing whether to go with continuous ...
2
votes
5answers
816 views
Why is the shutter speed so long when using Flash in Aperture Priority on a Nikon D40X?
I'm trying to get the background out of focus (bokeh) and using Aperature(A) mode and setting aperture to lowest value.
Update:
I'm shooting in dim light and the flash goes off but the shutter speed ...
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votes
2answers
201 views
Is the HF-DC1 flash light a good choice for my Canon EOS 400D?
I want to buy an external flash light for my Canon EOS 400D.
Is HF-DC1 good enough or is it designed for more compact cameras?
Any suggestion on alternatives?
4
votes
1answer
342 views
How should I set up a flash bracket for Pentax?
I have a Pentax K-r and a Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 digital flash unit, and I've been having problems with red-eye. As a result, I'm considering getting a flash bracket.
I am aware that I can simply ...
4
votes
1answer
251 views
Where does the assertion that food photography must not use flash come from?
I often hear/read in webcasts and blogs that when doing food photography, it's better to use only the indirect sun light from a window, and without flash.
Why?
I tested multiple times two setups:
...
5
votes
3answers
250 views
Are super cheap flashes worth it?
Is YN-460 Yongnuo worth it? Found it for 34 EUR http://bit.ly/GE1Tdp
Fist of all: is it so cheap I will regret I bought it and just withdraw using it?
In my understanding and for I would use ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
How do I know if it's safe to use a Nikon SB-20 on an Olympus E-520?
I have an Olympus E-520 and I borrowed a Nikon SB-20 flash which I intend to use as an optical trigger for an off-camera flash (TTL connectors on the flash connector are removed to avoid mixing ttl ...
6
votes
2answers
739 views
Why does my old Quantaray flash not work on my newer Canon DSLR?
I have an older Quantaray QTB-7500A flash with the Canon TTL module. I used this with my old Canon EOS Elan 35mm which died a few years back. I recently bought a Canon Rebel XSi, because I could use ...
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votes
3answers
715 views
What is a good off-camera flash for a Nikon D40?
I have a Nikon D40 and would like to start taking pictures with the flash off the camera. The D40 doesn't have a commander in it. So what can I do? Do I need two flashes? One with a commander in it ...
6
votes
1answer
557 views
Main differences between the Nikon SB-600 and SB-700?
I am a total newbie when it comes to flash, and I am looking to buy an off-camera flash for my Nikon D80. The main choices for an amateur like me seem to be the SB600 and SB700. What are the main ...
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2answers
1k views
Can I fire my SB600 without using my D90 on-camera flash as a trigger (with CLS/TTL)?
So as mentioned above, I have a D90 and an SB600. I can set up the SB600 to be used as a flash on-camera and off using TTL w/ the D90 as a commander. What I'm trying to understand is can I fire the ...
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vote
1answer
877 views
How well will a Canon 580EX II flash work on my Nikon D5000?
I would like more specifics on how a 580EX II would work on a Nikon D5000 and if it is even worth it.
This is the scenario, I have available a Canon XTi with a 580EX II for buying; I own a D5000 ...
5
votes
4answers
464 views
How to use a flash on the red carpet without interference?
When I have used flash at semi popular events, from time to time my flash overlaps with others and the image either turns out extremely overexposed, or an odd color(gels?). How do photographers at ...
8
votes
2answers
217 views
What do you recommend as a first step for hands-on learning about flash?
So far, I am enjoying my new Speedlight (Nikon SB-700), but any good results I have gotten have been mostly luck. I'd really like to understand how to use it so that I can make intentional technical ...
0
votes
1answer
306 views
Why does ETTL occasionally fail with my Canon Speedlite 580 EXII?
I have the Canon Speedlite 580EXII for 3-4 years now, and I have used it with a 450D and more recently with a 60D.
With both bodies, there was a very weird behavior where ETTL or even TTL will ...
7
votes
4answers
439 views
Why does my lens focus better/faster with a speedlight attached to the camera?
I have a Nikon d90 and have often found that the camera reaches focus faster, with less re-adjusting and missing the focus, when I have a speedlight (the Nikon sb-600 in my case) attached.
Why is ...
3
votes
2answers
373 views
Why is the on-camera flash trying to pop up when using a D7000 with a MK930 Speedlite?
So I decided to buy a cheap flash to experiment bouncing flash on walls or ceilings. I can't stand flash in pictures so I thought this would be a great way to try, and seeing these things are barely ...
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vote
4answers
105 views
Is it ever correct to describe a flash diffuser as opaque?
I've seen product listings online for flash diffusers where they are described as opaque. Is this an incorrect description? Should it be semi-opaque or is that assumed? How does opaque make sense in ...
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vote
3answers
349 views
How should I decide which flash to purchase for my Sony A580?
I have a Sony a580 and I'm thinking about purchasing a flash.
I'd like to use the flash for indoor photography: portraits, group photos and candid shots.
It looks like there are a number of options ...
5
votes
2answers
518 views
What batteries are best suited to Battery grips?
I have a Battery grip that will add an extra 1fps when used with AA batteries instead of the standard Nikon camera battery. This takes 8 bateries at once
I currently use AA Energizer rechargable ...
7
votes
3answers
7k views
When and how to use a push-on flash diffuser?
I've bought a cheap flash on eBay and got this fancy flash diffuser as a free gift:
So, what are the effects of a light diffuser like this one? What difference does it make to the resulting photo? ...
3
votes
2answers
330 views
How do I adjust the amount of fill-in flash from the built-in flash of my Canon Rebel?
I have a Canon 450D/Rebel XSi. How do I adjust the amount of flash from the pop-up for fill-in flash?
8
votes
1answer
918 views
Can using an old flash damage a new DSLR?
I have been using my dad's old Metz mecablitz 18 B1 flash for a while with my Canon 7D and had no trouble with it, but just received some advice from a friend that using old flashes can fry the ...
15
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7answers
1k views
What does it mean to “kill the ambient”?
I have heard of a technique called "killing the ambient" in flash photography. What does it mean and how do I do it? This similar existing post I believe is separate enough to warrant this question - ...
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vote
1answer
926 views
When to use different combinations of TTL/TTL-BL and Spot/Matrix metering?
I am trying to teach myself flash photography, and I am currently confused about metering modes. In what shooting conditions would each the following metering modes be best-suited? (And why do they ...
6
votes
1answer
580 views
Why does the camera default to ISO 400 in auto ISO mode with flash?
I've observed this behaviour on my Canon 550D, and I was wondering why it didn't use a lower or even variable ISO. I'm not sure if this is a camera/brand specific setting.
Is there any particular ...
17
votes
9answers
2k views
Prime lens or flash: which upgrade will most improve baby photos?
I current own a Nikon D5000 with kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) and am looking to take better indoor photos of my fast-moving 9-month-old, which sometimes come out blurred or not natural I use the ...
16
votes
1answer
262 views
Are flashes really subject to a “use it or lose it” problem?
I was just reading the manual that came with my new flash and stumbled over this warning:
14.3 Flash capacitor forming
The flash capacitor built into the flash unit undergoes physical change if ...
4
votes
8answers
856 views
Ways to soften an onboard flash?
What can be done to soften the direct light from an onboard flash? I know there are diffusers available for external flash units, but I'm not aware of such a solution for an onboard flash, such as on ...
4
votes
1answer
774 views
How do I compare the output of an LED panel with that of a flash?
How do I compare the output of an LED panel with that of a conventional hotshoe flash?
I haven't been paying attention to the LED panels, but they've been on the market long enough so that I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
322 views
What is the relationship between Guide Number and flash power level?
From this post, I understand that the flash guide number (GN) is given by the following formula:
Guide Number = Shooting Distance × f-number ÷ ISO factor
I'm assuming that the GN calculated via the ...
0
votes
1answer
397 views
What does “pop & drag” mean in low light photography?
I came cross this term "Pop & Drag" being used in low light setting. What does that mean?
Is it the same as term as "dragging the shutter"?
Can anyone please show some examples of "Pop & ...
2
votes
2answers
303 views
How important is it that the Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens does not return distance data?
I read at the photonotes website that the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM lens does not return distance information to the camera, to be used for E-TTL II.
How important is this, and should this be a ...
2
votes
3answers
440 views
Can any radio flash triggers be used without a sync cable?
I am looking for an inexpensive wireless flash trigger system to use with my Pentax k-x and an old flash I wouldn't trust on the camera hot shoe (Vivitar 550FD) because of its high trigger voltage. I ...
4
votes
3answers
227 views
Why isn't the on-camera flash of SLR or compact cameras tiltable?
All external flash tilt, and isn't it simple and apparent to add this to the design?
I mean, take a look at this horror...
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votes
4answers
2k views
What's a good starter flash for Nikon?
I have a Nikon D3000, use it mostly to take pictures of my kids. Going into winter, I'm thinking about getting an external flash but I don't even know where to start. I'm assuming all flashes are ...
