Flash, SB-600

[rebel]

Hey guys, i'm picking up a SB-600 here in a day or two, and I won't have much time to get to know the flash before having to use it I'm going to be taking wedding pictures, for a friend (at no charge). I need some tips on what settings to use, and any other tips!

Thanks!

[xorl]

You will probably find http://johnlind.tripod.com/wedding/ very helpful.
Personally when friends ask me to photograph their wedding I strongly lean them towards finding an experienced wedding photographer (get references!). It is such an important time that they probably want to have the memories recorded well, you don't get a second chance (usually ). Of course I'll take photo's myself - as long as I'm not getting in anyone's way. I would highly recommend spending as much time as you can getting familiar with your equipment, you don't want to be learning on the day.

[gecko]

I have not done much wedding photography, but I bought a SB600 earlier this year. I think it is a great unit - even better with a lightsphere II attached to it as a diffuser.

I'm a bit of a lazy photographer - I shoot in RAW, 'A' program setting to get the depth of field I want and just let the flash and lightsphere do its thing. I set the flash to iTTL with Balanced Fill in (I think that's the right termiology).

There has been lots of great advice on the forum about techniques of metering etc (off the bride's dress for example). Have a cruise around on the forum.

There is also a lot of info/discussion about the SB800 on the forum as this seems to be more popular than the 600. Everyone raves about the 800. I have not used one, but the 600 does a great job for the simple photography that I do.

Ken Rockwell has a review of the SB600 on his website and gives it the thumbs up.

Good luck
Gecko

[mchampio]

Here is a link to a method of using the Flash off camera, without the cord
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/ittlslave.htm

I have to agree with XORL, it would be better to be a back up photographer at first to learn the ropes

[gecko]

By the way, the battery life on my SB600 is AMAZING
It uses 4xAA and I can literally take hundreds of shots on one set of batteries without killing them - my old no name brand thing which now lives in the bottom draw only had to see a battery to drain it flat!

I am using standard Everyready Akaline throwaways....

It is an amazing bit of gear.

Gecko

[pippin88]

I'd buy a set of rechargeables (buy 10, then you have 2x 5) and a charger. It pays for itself quickly.

[rebel]

The couple didn't actually ask me to take thier photos, the church did. They will either have me take photos, or no one, so the more experienced photographer is out of the question. (and better for me, it will give a tiny bit of experience! hell maybe one day I'll be charging big bucks for this stuff )

Thank you for the links, interesting reads, especially the wireless flash one! that's not entirly related to weddings, but an interesting read. The wedding read helped a ton! It talked about some things i was not so sure about.

Any more tips on the SB600 and weddings?
(or is there no need for tips for the SB600, is it straight forward?)

Thanks!

[birddog114]

I'd buy a set of rechargeables (buy 10, then you have 2x 5) and a charger. It pays for itself quickly.

pippin88,
The SB600 is only uses 4 batteries not 5 as the SB800.

[rebel]

thanks for the clarification Birdy! So i will only buy 8 batteries.