SB800 - how are you using it?

[Hlop]

Hi All!

Finally, I've got this precious toy. Thanks Birddog! And now I'm wondering - how are other people using it? I am familiar enough with the camera and sometimes getting good results but I'm absolute beginner with the flash.

Could you briefly describe situations when you're using it as a fill flash and what settings you're using then? Are you setting it as remote while setting built-in D70 flash as a master?

[Hlop]

Wow. Looks like I'm asking something seriously stupid

OK. Let me re-phrase it. Could anyone give me an exmple or two of pictures taken with D70 and SB800 with brief description of camera and flash settings if it's possible?

Probably, I have to attend to the next mini-meet and annoy people there with my stupid questions

[sirhc55]

Wow. Looks like I'm asking something seriously stupid

OK. Let me re-phrase it. Could anyone give me an exmple or two of pictures taken with D70 and SB800 with brief description of camera and flash settings if it's possible?

Probably, I have to attend to the next mini-meet and annoy people there with my stupid questions

I think the reason no one is answering is because it is a fairly complex thing to put into words. Each photo would demand different ways of approaching the matter. Your best bet is to do what most of us did and that is to experiment.

I have had my SB800 for over 6 months and I am still coming to grips with all that it can do.

[Hlop]

I think the reason no one is answering is because it is a fairly complex thing to put into words. Each photo would demand different ways of approaching the matter. Your best bet is to do what most of us did and that is to experiment.

That's what I'm doing myself too But always good to have someone to learn from, good example to avoid well-known mistakes and errors

[sirhc55]

The following link will take you to a download on a SB800 shooting guide:

http://nikonasia-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikonasia_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=YJn3b7xh&p_lva=507&p_faqid=3143&p_created=1102167406&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTIxJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9NyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT05NyZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMj05OSZwX2NhdF9sdmwxPX5hbnl_JnBfc29ydF9ieT1kZmx0JnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=

[Hlop]

Thanks Chris,
This is something to start with

[Onyx]

Charge up batteries, stick em in the flash. Stick the flash on the camera and fire away. Experiment with +/- as necessary.

My settings, not necessarily optimum or correct:

Fill flash: TTL mode, -1.3FV
Indoors (or when flash is main source of light): AA mode
Bounced: AA or TTL mode, whichever give a better histogram at the time
Landscapes: TTL-BL -2FV
When a crowd pisses me off mode: RPT, 1/64 power, 10x20Hz. (IIRC, the human eyeball's resonant frequency is 17Hz, so 20Hz being close enough can be not only irritating but potentially harmful)

NB: flash exposure compensation values vary greatly dep on subject, desired output and camera's tone curve.

[birddog114]

Onyx,
Take it easy!!!!!
Slowly with Hilop! One day he'll give you a ride on his flashy bike

[sirhc55]

Don’t get too pissed off Onyx - there might be someone in the crowd that has epilepsy - death by SB800

[Hlop]

Charge up batteries, stick em in the flash. Stick the flash on the camera and fire away. Experiment with +/- as necessary.

My settings, not necessarily optimum or correct:

Fill flash: TTL mode, -1.3FV
....

Thanks a lot Onyx. I'll give it a try (except last one piss-off method )

[MattC]

I think the reason no one is answering is because it is a fairly complex thing to put into words

I have tried in the past and always come out sounding like a jibbering idiot.

Onyx, you are bad.

Hlop, give it a go as Onyx described. With a little reading and experimentation it will start to fall into place. I suggest forgetting about remote etc, and stick with on camera ttl and ittl until you get the hang of it.
Fill flash is a little tricky in heavily backlit situations. I do not trust the camera to get it right on its own. I use manual mode and spot, meter from background to set aperature and shutter, meter of foreground subject to set FV and lock, focus, compose, shoot. Flash EV is set according to what I a metering off. -0.3 for most skin tones without direct sunlight (shade) on the subject.

Well that does it, the dog was licking himself then got up and licked me fair on the mouth, Yuck!!! No emoticon for that!


Cheers

Matt