flash advice

[suselko]

Hi,
I'm looking for a flash for my rangefinder (Bessa R). I'm going to use it mostly hand-held, so tilt/swivel are not that important. What is more important for me however is the ability to shoot with aperture 5.6 at ASA 400. I've had a look at Nikon SB22, but it doesn't have this option. Size also matters - I'd rather avoid bulky stuff like Vivitar 283. Could you help me choosing? Cheers! Filip

 

[FPjohn]

Metz

Metz

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...106&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Are you sure the Nikon SB-22 does not have the option to shoot at f5.6 with 400 ISO? I have the Nikon SB-20 and it has the option.

Wayne

 

[ywenz]

Are you sure the Nikon SB-22 does not have the option to shoot at f5.6 with 400 ISO? I have the Nikon SB-20 and it has the option.

Wayne

What does that mean exactly? Does it mean that the flash will adjust the intensity to get an even exposure at f5.6 with 400ISO film?

For SB-20, what does it mean when it's full power? Just how bright is full power?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Don't do flash on an RF

Please

 

[ywenz]

Why not?

Whats so special about RF that we can't do flash on it?

 

[Ralf]

Why not?

Whats so special about RF that we can't do flash on it?

Notjing usually, I think Jon may have been refering to a style of shooting that prefers to use existinf light, in keeping with the style of the camera. It's a Zen thing maybe. In fact RF are sometimes more suitable that SLR cameras as they sometimes sync at a higher speed. eg Konica Hexar - 1/250, Pentax Super A SLR - 1/125. This can often make a difference in bright light.

I have a 20 year old Pentax flash AF 200S which is small and conpact. It will work in autoflash operation f5.6 @400 ASA from 24 feet down to 4 feet.

I've never even held a Nikon flash, but I'm guessing that the numbers are about the same for the Nikon.

You probably need to let us know what application you are thinking of, as the distance from the camera to the subject is crucial.

 

[ywenz]

Im thinking indoor, in a bar setting...
But my question was not about what flash to get.. but rather in the context of a manual flash, what does full power mean?(ie: is that brightness measured in some way?) Also, hat does the AUTO mode on the SB20 do? Does it meter the scene, and based on the ISO and aperature, it'll spit out enough light for a neutral exposure?

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

What does that mean exactly? Does it mean that the flash will adjust the intensity to get an even exposure at f5.6 with 400ISO film?

For SB-20, what does it mean when it's full power? Just how bright is full power?

The SB-20 can be manually adjusted from full power to 1/2 power to 1/4 power etc.

On full power the flash is fully discharged and takes longer to re-cycle. How bright is full power? This depends on the ISO of the film, the distance to your subject, and the environment in which the photo is taken. If you are in a huge cathederal with 40 foot black ceilings you will not get any help from secondary light bouncing off of the ceiling to light your subject. If you are in a small room with white walls and an 8 foot white ceiling, the walls and the ceiling act as reflectors and bounce light back onto your subject this can easily make a difference of 1 f stop in your exposure.

I strongly recommend a flash meter for use with a flash. No suprises when you get your film back.

If you want to use a flash with your rangefinder go ahead. It is your call.

I suggest you do some home work on the inverse square law as it regards light.

Here is a site on simple flash techniques:

http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/flash/techniques.html

Here is another very helpful site:

http://lightingmagic.com/

Wayne

 

[bmicklea]

Check the very bottom of this page - she's got some good advice on flashes:

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?LeicaM7.html~mainFrame

Brad

 

[ywenz]

So I'm figuring.. if I'm taking the pic inside a bar that's too dark, I should adjust the aperature wide open and shutter to a point where I can barely hold still for a sharp image. Then I fire up the flash in manual mode and adjust power from 1/16-full depending on distance to the subject and how many stops underexposed I am etc... Will that strategy give me a decently exposed image?

 

[djon]

Most on-camera flashes since the Sixties (Honeywell first, I think) have been the "thyrister" type that automatically adjust output to distance. They can all be used dumb, too, but thyristers are VERY accurate...though you need to stay sober to use them with slide film, so stick with negatives until you're confident.

Typically you set your shutter at 1/60th or whatever maximum synch speed, set your aperture at whatever you pre-select based on what you know of the max output of your strobe, set the flash to that aperture...it's like an optical version of radar or sonar that measures/times distance and adjusts its own output.

That 283's a classic, if anything electronic can be called classic.

Flash music:

http://av.steppenwolf.com/mp3s/all_time_greatest_hits_hi/brntbwldh.mp3

 

[Ralf]

Im thinking indoor, in a bar setting...
But my question was not about what flash to get.. but rather in the context of a manual flash, what does full power mean?(ie: is that brightness measured in some way?) Also, hat does the AUTO mode on the SB20 do? Does it meter the scene, and based on the ISO and aperature, it'll spit out enough light for a neutral exposure?

Full power means the flash completely discharges to it's fullest capacity. In that case the brightness is not measured, the flash get gives it's maximum amount of power regardless if this is required or not. AUTO flash refers to the flash head having a small sensor on the front, which measures reflected light (bouncing off the subject). It automatically switches off when enough light is provided. This depends on the ASA setting you dial in to the flash.

The numbers in the model name is an indication of it's power, and is referred to as GN (Guide Number) In the instance I provided earlier, my Pentax AF200 has a GN of 20. Nikon SB22 probably has a GN of 22.

There is a formula which deals with variables of flash, e.g. power of flash, ASA, distance to subject, apeture. But I don't recall it off hand.

As you sure using a flash in a bar is a good idea? Unexpected flash + unsolicited photograph + alcohol = trouble. Just thinking about your equipment 🙂