Flash. when to use?

[m7ammed]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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:.]

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

[Septro]

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]

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]

I just came.. twice

[m7ammed]

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]

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