tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post5389694682100001819..comments2023-05-27T02:33:34.320-07:00Comments on Nikon CLS Practical Guide: 18. Camera & Flash Cookbook for Any Lighting SituationRuss MacDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-17314227307624414802015-02-21T11:31:33.691-08:002015-02-21T11:31:33.691-08:00I am often asked how to set up your camera and hot...I am often asked how to set up your camera and hot shoe flash for a given lighting situation. This post will give you a 'cookbook' approach that ... <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Die-beliebtesten-Produkte/441522239331748" rel="nofollow">www.facebook.com/pages/Die-beliebtesten-Produkte/441522239331748</a><br />lokaslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07306194004596209934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-91416174322475523902014-02-22T05:42:43.200-08:002014-02-22T05:42:43.200-08:00So much useful information. I read through and wen...So much useful information. I read through and went ahah! in nearly every post. Thunder bolts of understanding and general relief, I had finally found some clear information I could follow. <br />Thank you so much for putting this all out there.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03326660641691689456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-74966315203077475952013-09-23T17:24:37.037-07:002013-09-23T17:24:37.037-07:00Great info! I've been working on improving my ...Great info! I've been working on improving my flash photography, even more so now that my sis got me an off-camera flash (I didn't even know there was a place to get a <a href="http://www.usedcamerasportland.com/" rel="nofollow">camera flash in Beaverton, OR</a>). I'll have to keep these notes handy!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06403697979930809001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-60133120074011505632012-05-18T08:30:44.392-07:002012-05-18T08:30:44.392-07:00Hi Russ,
Could you elaborate more on the flash ra...Hi Russ,<br /><br />Could you elaborate more on the flash range? For example, how do you know that at F8, the effective range of the flash will be within 6 feet? How did you come to this number? Is there a way to calculate this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-47433409762491652562012-05-10T00:44:13.511-07:002012-05-10T00:44:13.511-07:00Hi Russ,
I have been practising your methods since...Hi Russ,<br />I have been practising your methods since the day I discovered your website with success and joy.<br />Thx again for these great explanations about the flash photography and making such a complex topic easier and fun.<br />I have learned a lot from your blogs and continue learning...<br /><br />Some (not every) of my flash photos lack sharpness which I have just realized and I wanted to get your opinion about the possible reasons for that.<br /><br />below is the exif data of a flash photo which I found it soft although it had to be very sharp with the settings below...<br /><br />nikon d7000<br />on a tripod<br />vr off<br />35mm nikkor lens<br /><br />f9<br />1/250s<br />programmed auto<br />matrix metering<br />iso 100<br />af-s<br />wide area<br /><br />sb600<br />i-ttl-bl<br />front curtain<br />-0.3ev<br /><br />april<br />17:19 pm<br />sunny and bright weather<br />sun is behind the camera<br /><br />the only possible reason that I can think of is:<br />I set the camera to self timer mode and set it to 8 photos with a 2 second delay.<br />(But I am pretty sure that the flash triggered on each 8 photos)<br />and I can say 5 or 6 of the 8 are not sharp enough.<br /><br />can this lack of sharpness be bec of this self timer settings or not?<br />I really wonder what causes this?<br /><br />thx, take care<br />Melih Cavlimelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05932530051575162066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-25214834552033824132012-03-04T05:46:44.564-08:002012-03-04T05:46:44.564-08:00Hi ZeeKay,
I just normally use Camera Manual, bec...Hi ZeeKay,<br /><br />I just normally use Camera Manual, because I set the aperture where I want it and then adjust the shutter to zero the meter. However, you can do it in any mode.<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-82974068410551376822012-03-03T22:16:27.438-08:002012-03-03T22:16:27.438-08:00Hi Russ,
Great article and you've done an ama...Hi Russ,<br /><br />Great article and you've done an amazing job at summarizing you previous ones in a cookbook style. Very useful indeed.<br /><br />One think I still cannot wrap my head around is that why did you suggest to use Camera Manual mode initially to determine ambient light conditions. Isn't it easier to use Aperture mode, since we have fixed the ISO and Aperture and let camera meter the appropriate shutter speed. This way I can get the exposure numbers in one shot, rather than setting shutter manually in Manual mode.<br /><br />Keep up the good work!ZeeKayhttp://zoaib.khan.msnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-88563003860561575742011-12-30T10:51:02.489-08:002011-12-30T10:51:02.489-08:00Hi Russ,
Thanks so much for this information. I ha...Hi Russ,<br />Thanks so much for this information. I had a very basic question and am not sure if you are still answering questions on this blog. <br /><br />Regarding the basic settings that you mentioned for Low, medium and high ambient. Are these settings based on direct flash or diffused flash straight onto the subject? How would these settings vary if I bounce the flash all the time? typically in weddings, bouncing the flash is preferable and want to know what would be the setting.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Rahulreikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14419088641483299197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-70716550240053761822011-08-19T08:43:52.037-07:002011-08-19T08:43:52.037-07:00Thanks Russ, I will try. One more question. Maybe ...Thanks Russ, I will try. One more question. Maybe I'm not familiar with my new SB-600, but I can see the TTL, TTL BL and FP signs on the back of the flushgun only when it is placed on the camera. When I use it wirelessly I can't see all these options, even though I set it on TTL in my camera menu. Could you please explain that?<br />Thank youPaulo78https://www.blogger.com/profile/01053741028182108717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-49779306179332813232011-08-19T05:20:33.590-07:002011-08-19T05:20:33.590-07:00Hi Paulo,
The way you stop action with a flash is...Hi Paulo,<br /><br />The way you stop action with a flash is to shoot in low ambient conditions and block the ambient with the shutter. For instance, the flash will stop action indoors in a basketball game if you increase the shutter speed to block the ambient and use the flash in regular sync mode.<br /><br />Outdoors in bright daylight the flash will stop action, but on top of that will be a blurred image from the ambient, because the highest shutter speed you can select is flash sync speed (around 1/250th).<br /><br />So, outdoors in bright light, you have to use a high shutter speed <br />(1/2000 or higher) to stop the action. You can use the flash in FP mode with this high shutter speed to add a small amount of fill, but the flash will not be stopping the action.Russ MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-3577446793612889622011-08-19T04:37:22.562-07:002011-08-19T04:37:22.562-07:00Thanks for your help. so if you say that FP is use...Thanks for your help. so if you say that FP is useless to stop motion, how do you do that? how do you freeze a sport action using the flash? there must be a way to do that.<br />thank youPaulo78https://www.blogger.com/profile/01053741028182108717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-26470602760631113422011-08-04T07:11:31.682-07:002011-08-04T07:11:31.682-07:00thanks Russ,
i just made the upgrade from a D100 ...thanks Russ,<br /><br />i just made the upgrade from a D100 where i would either fire the sb800 with a sync cord or optically, and fire the sb26 as a optical slave and i got used to doing it this way.<br />i will enjoy CLS when using the sb800 by itself tho! <br />i guess i can continue this way until i locate the moola for another sb800 or 900!<br /><br />thanks!<br /><br />billAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-24744244825400244482011-08-04T05:50:28.188-07:002011-08-04T05:50:28.188-07:00Hi Bill,
I have not directly covered your questio...Hi Bill,<br /><br />I have not directly covered your questions in my blog, but I have discussed one of the ways to eliminate the preflash; use Flash A mode.<br /><br />It is very difficult and usually impractical to use CLS together with non-CLS flashes. The CLS system always fires a preflash prior to the shutter opening that will fire your optical slave. Since the slave fires before the shutter opens, it does not contribute to the exposure.<br /><br />If you want to use the CLS flash in iTTL mode, there is only one way that I know of to fire a strobe at the proper time. You have to attach an external flash (or SU-800) into the hot shoe and a PC Sync cord from the camera body to the strobe. Then the strobe will fire after all the preflashes go out. I have used this technique to add a background light in my studio. <br /><br />This will not work, however, when using the pop-up flash, because the pop-up flash disables the PC Sync output as soon as you pop it up.<br /><br />Your question was not clear about Manual mode.<br /><br />There are two different kinds of Flash Manual modes: 1) Full Manual, and 2) Commander Manual.<br /><br />In Flash Full Manual mode your external flash must be in the hot shoe and set to Manual mode as displayed on the back of the flash. In this mode, there are no preflashes, so it can be used to fire optical strobes.<br /><br />The pop-up flash can also be used in Full Manual mode as set in the camera menu, and it will not make any preflashes, so it can be used to fire strobes.<br /><br />In Commander Manual mode, there must be a Commander on the camera and a flash in Remote mode. Then, you tell the flash to fire in 'Manual' mode via the Commander Menu. In this mode, there are still preflashes sent to tell the Remote flash to fire in Manual mode. These preflashes will fire any optical strobe early.<br /><br />There are also two non-CLS modes on the SB-800 that do not fire preflashes: 1) SU-4 mode and 2) A mode. Both require the flash to be in the hot shoe.<br /><br />Place the flash in the hot shoe and select SU-4 mode, and then set the power of the flash on the back of the flash. No preflashes will be fired.<br /><br />To select 'A' mode have to go into the flash menu. Then, place the flash in the hot shoe and set the aperture you are using into the flash. Note: the SB-800 AA mode still fires a preflash. (See my blog #13 on this subject).<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-67435122463480446082011-08-03T11:51:23.340-07:002011-08-03T11:51:23.340-07:00Hi Russ,
i just found your blog today while search...Hi Russ,<br />i just found your blog today while searching for CLS answers.<br />my question is the best way to use CLS with a non CLS flash?<br />i am using a d300s (just bought it and still learning it all) with a sb800 and all is fine. but when i bring out the sb26 set up as a optical slave, the preflashes are screwing things up.<br />i thought by setting the sb800 to manual would halt the preflashes? and i also thought using the FV lock would halt them after the first fire?<br />i am now thinking i should use the pop up in manual set to -3 and trigger both strobes in remote?<br />any suggestions? and if you have already covered this, please send me to it!<br /><br />great blog, thanks!<br /><br />billAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-52878530956520370812011-07-08T04:54:40.094-07:002011-07-08T04:54:40.094-07:00Hi Jacques,
Excellent idea! I think that once you...Hi Jacques,<br /><br />Excellent idea! I think that once you understand the general concept, you will no longer need to refer to your notes.<br /><br />I'm glad you find my blog useful.<br /><br />Thanks for the nice feedback!<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-1481518320664107352011-07-08T04:32:02.491-07:002011-07-08T04:32:02.491-07:00Hi Russ
Many thanks for your cookbook. I have pri...Hi Russ<br /><br />Many thanks for your cookbook. I have printed them out into smaller "crib notes" that I keep in my bag, when I need them - they have helped alotJacques.Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369464708439132277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-58740161021559962852011-04-07T17:00:38.417-07:002011-04-07T17:00:38.417-07:00Hi Aimee,
I'm glad my articles are helpful! T...Hi Aimee,<br /><br />I'm glad my articles are helpful! Thanks for the great feedback!<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-29453041244814539372011-04-07T16:52:36.219-07:002011-04-07T16:52:36.219-07:00All your info has been so helpful. I bought the S...All your info has been so helpful. I bought the SB900 last May and have been confused on how to use it effectively...actually afraid to use it at all. I think I'm "getting it!" Thanks for all the blog posts...I will be back lots.Aimeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-39447343650058972342011-03-18T06:40:01.509-07:002011-03-18T06:40:01.509-07:00Hi Mel,
Thanks for the nice feedback!
RussHi Mel,<br /><br />Thanks for the nice feedback!<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-5575260756734679722011-03-18T01:21:25.002-07:002011-03-18T01:21:25.002-07:00Thanks so much for this, such a great overview!Thanks so much for this, such a great overview!Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17891448989496182942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-66173899649196540462011-02-15T09:40:53.382-08:002011-02-15T09:40:53.382-08:00Aha! Your blog has created several lightbulb mome...Aha! Your blog has created several lightbulb moments for me!<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this information. For the first time, I am beginning to understand how to use my flash effectively.<br /><br />Your work is very much appreciated.Gailnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-2708741722540435612011-02-15T07:16:10.466-08:002011-02-15T07:16:10.466-08:00Hi LillieG,
Thanks you for the very nice feedback...Hi LillieG,<br /><br />Thanks you for the very nice feedback!!<br /><br />I hope all goes well with you flash pictures.<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-24118029879201597812011-02-14T19:08:59.253-08:002011-02-14T19:08:59.253-08:00Thank you, Russ, for explaining the CLS system and...Thank you, Russ, for explaining the CLS system and it usage in wonderfully simple and beautifully clear terms. For the first time since opening the box containing my SB-600 back in 2005, I have hopes of actually being able to use it effectively.LilleGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-21991724947739057892011-02-09T14:05:49.672-08:002011-02-09T14:05:49.672-08:00Hi Russ!
I think I understand what you mean.
A boo...Hi Russ!<br />I think I understand what you mean.<br />A book seems to be a further step.<br />I would be very interested (And I'm sure I am not the only one) in new pictures from you.<br />May you have time und make a new blog entry just with a few examples (in the best way certainly shot) and a short story how you did it.<br /><br />And as I said before. Yes, a rewrite of some articles (including the great support from the comments) would be fantastic.<br />Thanks again Greedings from AustriaUlfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113726419970930271.post-19442830073562362482011-02-04T07:47:23.206-08:002011-02-04T07:47:23.206-08:00Hi Ulf,
Thanks for the nice feedback!
No, I don&...Hi Ulf,<br /><br />Thanks for the nice feedback!<br /><br />No, I don't think I will ever make this info into a book. This is my hobby, and a book would be way too much like work!<br /><br />However, I do plan to rewrite each blog to incorporate the most significant comments. The only problem is in finding the time to do that. My photography business is growing quickly right now, so my time is very limited.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />RussRuss MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288785902650834143noreply@blogger.com