Flash with ISO 100

[antonandreas]

This is something that frustrates me to no end: I can not get flash and 100 speed film (in black and white and slide) to gel.

Granted, I have used x-sync whenever I have tried, but that should not really make a difference, right?

I have followed the guide numbers on the flash units, but never came up with a viewable photo.

Can someone recommend a 100 speed film that works with flash or tell me what I am doing wrong?

 

[degruyl]

Film (not that important), camera, flash?

I suspect your shutter speed is too high for the flash, but I am not positive.

On a Metz potato masher, connected by PC cable to a compur shutter, so long as the speed is slower than 1/125 there is no issue. I set the flash to automatic, set the film speed, set the aperture that is indicated, and make sure that I am not more than 30 ft from the target. Seriously. That flash puts out a ton of light.

I have had issues with hot-shoe mounted flashes not firing. You have to make sure that the camera will trigger the hot shoe by using the appropriate speed. (on a leica m6 that is between 1/30 and 1/60 and marked with a lightning bolt).

With a little more information, I think we can troubleshoot better.

 

[aad]

Really need to see what's happening. Or at least a description. Is the flash firing? Shutter at sync speed (assuming focal plane shutter)? Aperture set properly?

If it's all set as above, it's pretty hard to imagine an unviewable result, or at least a result that isn't properly exposed.

 

[charjohncarter]

Right, camera, flash???

If it is a focal plane shutter the slower the film the better. Be sure as above says that you are using a shutter speed at the synch speed or below. Usually when your flash is on 'Auto' you will have an f-stop given on the back of the flash. One problem is if you are NOT in the range (distant) that the maker of the flash describes. Flash is tricky, that's why they have come up with the compromise TTL flashes on the newest cameras. But if you take your time you will get it. Start with the 'Auto' setting and read so you can eventually get to the point where you will use the manual setting which gives the most control.

Everyone says that experience is important in photography and they are right, but photography with flash it is triple important.

Scan some of you negatives and post here; I'm sure the previous poster and I will watch for them and possibly be able to give you a critique.

One of the most rewarding flash uses is 'fill flash.' Here is an essay written by one of the RFF members on 'fill flash.' I found this very helpful.

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/fill.html

 

[antonandreas]

Each time the X-Sync was used with leaf shutters, so shutter speed should not make a difference.

I can not produce results as I threw away all of the failed shots in frustration.

Flash does fire. Aperture set (manually) with guide number in mind. Distance is within exposure range.

There is no logical reason I can come up with as to why it would not work unless there is something off with my old cameras.

I was just wondering if this happened to anyone else.

charjohncarter: That is a good article. Thank you for letting me know about it.

 

[aad]

So, flash is firing. Are the shots overexposed? Are you confident of your calculations?

Flash is my "safe haven" for exposure. Can you tell us what is happening?

 

[charjohncarter]

I think he lost interest.

 

[degruyl]

I have to wonder: is it over or under exposing?

I use FP4+ almost exclusively, now, for flash work. And I shoot a lot of 4x5 flash. Sometimes I give it half a stop of aperture, but mostly it is right on. That depends on distance, of course.

 

[antonandreas]

Completely underexposing. That is why I am wondering if the actual sync is the problem.

 

[RichL]

What would the results be if the flash contact was stuck in M sync (even though it is showing X)

 

[Mcary]

Completely underexposing. That is why I am wondering if the actual sync is the problem.

The way I see it you're having one of two problems; first either your camera and flash aren't syncing or your flash isn't putting out enough power to give the correct exposure at the aperture you've selected.

To see if its a problem with the Sync: take your camera into a room that you came make as close to pitch dark as possible. Put your camera on a tripod and set it to "B" and the aperture provided in the guide number Focus on what you want to take the picture of. Then turn off the lights, open the shutter using cable release and fire the flash using the test button.
Then try the same thing but with the flash connected to the camara X sync

If the guide numbers are correct but the sync is completely off the frames shot using the flash test button should be correctly exposed but the one with the flash connected via the X sync will likely be underexposed.

 

[charjohncarter]

The way I see it you're having one of two problems; first either your camera and flash aren't syncing or your flash isn't putting out enough power to give the correct exposure at the aperture you've selected.

To see if its a problem with the Sync: take your camera into a room that you came make as close to pitch dark as possible. Put your camera on a tripod and set it to "B" and the aperture provided in the guide number Focus on what you want to take the picture of. Then turn off the lights, open the shutter using cable release and fire the flash using the test button.
Then try the same thing but with the flash connected to the camara X sync

If the guide numbers are correct but the sync is completely off the frames shot using the flash test button should be correctly exposed but the one with the flash connected via the X sync will likely be underexposed.

Also a quick check is to set the camera up with your flash pointing at the lens open the back and fire (be sure you are on X). If you see a blinding light your camera is probably OK. Again be sure you are using the synch speed or below.

 

[35mmdelux]

I've never gotten the photos I've wanted with flash. Most of my shooting career I've used flash very little. When travelling I carry a Leica SF20; its small and syncs with my M7. Last ditch sort of thing.

 

[chris00nj]

It's not the film, but it could be your camera. My M3 wasn't synching properly, even at slow speeds (1/8)

Try taking a photo at a slower shutter speed, say 1/8. Also Do MCary's test - this will help prove it is not the film.

 

[oftheherd]

I don't think the OP ever said what kind of camera he was using, even though he said leaf shutters. Which sort of implies more than one lens was used. If so, that clearly leaves it with a problem in the camera of with the flash. The suggestions above for checking the flash and camera should be followed. Takes some time, but it will isolate the problem. Once it is known where the problem is, trouble shooting will be easier.

 

[Mcary]

I've never gotten the photos I've wanted with flash. Most of my shooting career I've used flash very little. When travelling I carry a Leica SF20; its small and syncs with my M7. Last ditch sort of thing.

To me flash works best when its used to supplement rather then replace/over power ambient lighting, regretfully the low sync speeds available on Leica film bodies often requires the use of rather small f-stops and/or the use of ND filters.

 

[N.delaRua]

Early people suggested two problems 1) Flash output is off 2) Camera flash sync is off...

Here is a solution to check problem one.

Check to see if the flash it outputting properly by using a handheld meter with the capability of flash incident metering. Simply set up the scene and trigger the flash with the TEST button and take a incident reading at the spot where you intend to shoot. If it matches your predetermined exposures setting you can rule out the flash not producing enough light.

Checking the sync might be tougher, but whenever my a flash/camera sync combo did not work for me, I always had negatives with strange results that were a clear indication of a sync problem. In other words, it was not just a completely underexposed negative.

 

[antonandreas]

Thank you, everyone for the information. I know the flash output is correct, so I will have to do some testing on the cameras themselves.

The reason why I mentioned ISO 100 is that I have gotten results using ISO 400, which had made me think the film choice was the issue.

 

[uhligfd]

Dear antonandreas,

Please describe your camera and flash in some detail. Why so secretive?

Is it a pinhole camera? Maybe, or what brand, number etc, a 1930s Leica, a digital one with a non-digital flash, ???? Infinite number of possibilties

Giving us information would help find the answer, if you care to have one, that is. Speak up, please or forget it.

 

[antonandreas]

Dear uhligfd:

I am not trying to be secretive about the camera or flash. I did not think it really mattered since I mentioned x-sync and leaf shutters.

Here is the info:

Agfa Karat 36
and
Rollei Automat

Flash:
Nikon SB-25

Connected by a pc sync cord.