Flash. when to use?

m7ammed · 04-15-2009, 11:41 AM

I read somewhere that you always have to use flash, or whats called fill-in flash. I've got a Nikon D70s DSLR and there are levels of intensity on the flash that is on the camera, how can I tell which level to use ?

solefald · 04-15-2009, 01:35 PM

Always use flash.

Built-in flash in D70s is there for looks. It does not serve any purpose, as it is not powerful enough and not big enough. It is absolutely useless. On top of that if you put a hood on your kit lens, you will end up with a nice thick shadow at the bottom of your shots. Rarely a desired result.

Spend $200 and buy yourself SB-600. You would not believe how much difference it makes. Seriously.

m7ammed · 04-15-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solefald

Always use flash.

Built-in flash in D70s is there for looks. It does not serve any purpose, as it is not powerful enough and not big enough. It is absolutely useless. On top of that if you put a hood on your kit lens, you will end up with a nice thick shadow at the bottom of your shots. Rarely a desired result.

Spend $200 and buy yourself SB-600. You would not believe how much difference it makes. Seriously.

Thanx I will invest in one, but one question wouldn't the flash create a bright spot or reflections of the car? Is there a guide to how to use flash?

solefald · 04-15-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adood84

Thanx I will invest in one, but one question wouldn't the flash create a bright spot or reflections of the car? Is there a guide to how to use flash?

Most of the time it is a matter of personal preference. Just play with the settings and do couple of test shots until you get a desired result.

Good thing about off-camera flash (SB-600/SB-800) is that you can point it into any direction you want. Also, invest $15 in a diffuser. Mine is a matte white plastic piece that goes on the flash dead and does a great job spreading the flash.

Here is an example shot. 3ft away with flash head pointing up. No post-processing of any kind.

scollins · 04-15-2009, 03:58 PM

I don't know if the D70s does it, but the built-in flash on my D300 will operate in "Commander" mode, which I think will be handy when I get an additional flash unit or two. Other than that, it is pretty pathetic for anything other than just average snapshots.

I wish I could find an SB-800 or two. Nikon's price gap between the SB-600 ($225) and the SB-900 ($450) is huge. I'll probably just go with SB-600's....

TWiTCHY · 04-15-2009, 04:07 PM

I only prefer the slip-on diffuser if there are no surfaces to bounce the flash off of. If I'm indoors, I take off the diffuser and bounce the flash off the ceiling, that way I don't get harsh lighting and shadows, or a dim background.

dcstep · 04-15-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adood84

I read somewhere that you always have to use flash, or whats called fill-in flash. I've got a Nikon D70s DSLR and there are levels of intensity on the flash that is on the camera, how can I tell which level to use ?

What are you taking pictures of? For people, indoors, you'll almost always need flash. For cars, outdoors, you'll seldom need it and you should seek open shade. Landscapes almost never benefit from flash and sports are usually too far away to benefit. Daylight, indoors, window light is often enough, but fill flash can be useful.

Try some with and without to see how the flash changes the shots. It's a totally different look. I really like available light, but others lean more toward flash. A good auxilary flash will almost always be superior to the built-in flash.

Dave

m7ammed · 04-15-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstep

What are you taking pictures of? For people, indoors, you'll almost always need flash. For cars, outdoors, you'll seldom need it and you should seek open shade. Landscapes almost never benefit from flash and sports are usually too far away to benefit. Daylight, indoors, window light is often enough, but fill flash can be useful.

Try some with and without to see how the flash changes the shots. It's a totally different look. I really like available light, but others lean more toward flash. A good auxilary flash will almost always be superior to the built-in flash.

Dave

Mostly cars

dcstep · 04-15-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adood84

Mostly cars

Open shade is great almost anytime. Early morning and late evening when the sun is low is also good. If you use flash, then it needs to be off camera to have enough coverage.

Dave

m7ammed · 04-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Here is some of my "Work", E46 is my old car, R32 my uncle's and the RUFs is at the RUF factory in Bahrain

So this is what I will most do, the reason I asked is because I read somewhere a couple days ago about automotive photography (can't find the link) and it said you would need fill in flash.

solefald · 04-15-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scollins

I don't know if the D70s does it, but the built-in flash on my D300 will operate in "Commander" mode

it does! GREAT feature!

.:bHd:. · 04-15-2009, 06:10 PM

Always use flash? Huh? where did you guys learn that? I try to not use flash as much as possible.

Septro · 04-15-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

I only prefer the slip-on diffuser if there are no surfaces to bounce the flash off of. If I'm indoors, I take off the diffuser and bounce the flash off the ceiling, that way I don't get harsh lighting and shadows, or a dim background.

+1 I only put on the diffuser when there is nothing to bounce the SB-600 off of. It has good flexibility to rotate the flash wherever you need it - I hardly use it outdoors tho.

TWiTCHY · 04-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adood84

So this is what I will most do, the reason I asked is because I read somewhere a couple days ago about automotive photography (can't find the link) and it said you would need fill in flash.

http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...phy_Tips.shtml ?

I think I posted that link up somewhere before. The bit about flash is at the bottom.

asdflkijd · 04-15-2009, 07:00 PM

I just came.. twice

m7ammed · 04-15-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...phy_Tips.shtml ?

I think I posted that link up somewhere before. The bit about flash is at the bottom.

Its not the one, but it had very similar info about flash and how to have to use it to fill-in even if there is light

Carrera RSR · 04-16-2009, 04:06 AM

Here's a reason to to use fill flash when outdoors. Midday sun in Spain but we were just in the shade. Photo taken by my mate with Nikon D40 and built in flash. Not perfect pictures as we were 300m up a vertical rock face and holding on was more important than picture quality.

PS yes that's me trying to look cool but deep down crapping myself

04-15-2009, 11:41 AM	#1
m7ammed Captain 210 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Saudi Arabia iTrader: (0)	Flash. when to use? I read somewhere that you always have to use flash, or whats called fill-in flash. I've got a Nikon D70s DSLR and there are levels of intensity on the flash that is on the camera, how can I tell which level to use ? __________________ Instgram: @m7m_photo
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04-15-2009, 01:35 PM	#2
solefald Nigerian Prince 385 Rep 2,180 Posts Drives: '11 F25 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List '11 BMW F25 [0.00]	Always use flash. Built-in flash in D70s is there for looks. It does not serve any purpose, as it is not powerful enough and not big enough. It is absolutely useless. On top of that if you put a hood on your kit lens, you will end up with a nice thick shadow at the bottom of your shots. Rarely a desired result. Spend $200 and buy yourself SB-600. You would not believe how much difference it makes. Seriously. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/djtchort
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04-15-2009, 03:58 PM	#5
scollins Bootleggin' 'n Gunrunnin' 137 Rep 2,372 Posts Drives: 2024 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (3)	I don't know if the D70s does it, but the built-in flash on my D300 will operate in "Commander" mode, which I think will be handy when I get an additional flash unit or two. Other than that, it is pretty pathetic for anything other than just average snapshots. I wish I could find an SB-800 or two. Nikon's price gap between the SB-600 ($225) and the SB-900 ($450) is huge. I'll probably just go with SB-600's.... __________________ Scott 2024 G01 X3 M40i, Brooklyn Grey Metallic /// 2015 F15 X5 35i, Space Gray Metallic, 99K miles /// 2013 F30 320xi, Mojave Metallic, 112k miles 2019 Ford F450 STX, Oxford White 2013 Ducati Multistrada Touring S, Red
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04-15-2009, 04:07 PM	#6
TWiTCHY Colonel 376 Rep 2,526 Posts Drives: '13 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: WA iTrader: (6)	I only prefer the slip-on diffuser if there are no surfaces to bounce the flash off of. If I'm indoors, I take off the diffuser and bounce the flash off the ceiling, that way I don't get harsh lighting and shadows, or a dim background.
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04-15-2009, 05:20 PM	#10
m7ammed Captain 210 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Saudi Arabia iTrader: (0)	Here is some of my "Work", E46 is my old car, R32 my uncle's and the RUFs is at the RUF factory in Bahrain So this is what I will most do, the reason I asked is because I read somewhere a couple days ago about automotive photography (can't find the link) and it said you would need fill in flash. __________________ Instgram: @m7m_photo
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04-15-2009, 06:10 PM	#12
.:bHd:. Major 331 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: E92 335i MT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Always use flash? Huh? where did you guys learn that? I try to not use flash as much as possible. __________________
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04-15-2009, 07:00 PM	#15
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 558 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	I just came.. twice
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04-16-2009, 04:06 AM	#17
Carrera RSR Colonel 75 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	Here's a reason to to use fill flash when outdoors. Midday sun in Spain but we were just in the shade. Photo taken by my mate with Nikon D40 and built in flash. Not perfect pictures as we were 300m up a vertical rock face and holding on was more important than picture quality. PS yes that's me trying to look cool but deep down crapping myself Attached Images
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