Flash speeds? Vivitar 283

[jusxusfanatic]

Flash speeds? Vivitar 283

Finally got the hang of using it manually! Its actually very easy. What about the flash speeds tho? I just followed the table on the flash, 400asa f22 and 1/10

 

[Ranchu]

The flash is like 1/2000th or something, so you can use any speed up to the 'sync speed' of your camera. Focal plane shutters have to fire the flash while the shutter is fully open (the sync speed or slower), and not a slot that travels across. Leaf shutters sync at any speed, since they will cover the whole film with only a tiny hole.

 

[jusxusfanatic]

The flash is like 1/2000th or something, so you can use any speed up to the 'sync speed' of your camera. Focal plane shutters have to fire the flash while the shutter is fully open (the sync speed or slower), and not a slot that travels across. Leaf shutters sync at any speed, since they will cover the whole film with only a tiny hole.

Got it. Thanks 🙂

 

[Ronald M]

Try using it at 1/4 to 1/60. Flash can illuminate making subject, and slow shutter picks up background.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Try using it at 1/4 to 1/60. Flash can illuminate making subject, and slow shutter picks up background.

To add to what Ronald said, the use of long shutter times with flash also allows some of the color of the ambient light to show in the photo, so if you shoot in a place lit by incandescent light, and use a high shutter speed with flash, like 1/125 of a second, then you'll really only see the light from the flash. The ambient light wouldn't be bright enough (I'm talking indoor photography) to influence the photo.

Shoot at 1/4 of a second, for example, and you'll get a warmer light in the photo as the ambient light will also add to the exposure.

Higher end flash meters like the Sekonic L-758DR and L-358, and the old Minolta Flash Meter IV, Flash Meter V, and Flash Meter VI actually read out to you the percentage of the light provided by the flash when you meter flash. You set the shutter time you'll be using, and the meter takes that into account.

 

[charjohncarter]

Try using it at 1/4 to 1/60. Flash can illuminate making subject, and slow shutter picks up background.

This is a nice technique to try and master, I haven't yet but have been doing it for over 50 years.

This is one time it worked (almost)(1966); Leica IIIf, AG-1 bulb:

Kodachrome 1960s-1970s by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[charjohncarter]

Another technique is to set your f stop to a preset auto setting (example 5.6 for the camera and the auto setting). Then set your shutter to a speed where you might pick up some ambient light. While you are at a function you then just have to walk around and focus and shoot.

The above was Ektachrome X or 64 and is not a forgiving film, but with modern C-41 it is pretty hard to completely mess up.

 

[Solinar]

........ I just followed the table on the flash, 400asa f22 and 1/10

The Vivitar 283 has more than one auto mode. Adjust the Auto-Thyristor module on the front of the flash its yellow setting and you'll be able to shoot f/2 or f/2.8 @ ISO 400.

The idea here is lower the amount light provided by the flash - then in combination with a shutter speed of 1/15th or 1/30th of second, along with the wide f-stop - you'll capture more of the indoor ambient light.