Adjusting exposure compensation when using speedlight
This may be a stupid question but here goes......I have a Nikon D300 and am familiar with adjusting exposure compensation when needed. When I put on my SB800 I know how to adjust the flash output/EV on that flash itself, but how do you adjust exposure compensation on the camera itself with the flash on??? Or should I even be trying to??? This confuses me....adjusting exposure compensation vs flash output?? Help explain this to me please someone!!!!:confused:
Shellie,
It is all about lighting ratios.
The ratio of flash vs ambient.
The SB-800's exposure compensation is done on the flash.
The D300's exposure compensation is done on the body with the thumb wheel.
Something to remember. On a Nikon body, when you dial in exposure compensation while using an automatic exposure mode, the flash receives the same amount of compensation as the body.
If you dial in an exposure compensation of -1 stop via the thumb wheel on the body, 1 stop of light comes off the flash as well.
So if you have the SB-800 set to -1 stop and the body is set to -1 stop, the net value on the flash will be -2 stops.
This is why I use manual mode when using flash. I can control the lighting ratio without doing so much math!
James
Note- any exposure compensation set in a Nikon camera will effect the ambient portion of exposure w/ flash regardless of the Priority Mode in use. This includes Manual Mode.
Make sure no exposure comp is in use in Av, when swithing to Manual.
Best,
Chas
Sorry I did not explain that point.
In manual I never use "exposure compensation".
I just make an adjustment to the exposure, up or down with my aperture or shutter speed.
James
Originally Posted by James Shadle
James, my statement was not in reference to your explanation. It was simply to state, that if you have any comp set in a Nikon camera in any Mode, the comp will also be applied in Manual Mode when using flash. You will not see it reflected in the exposure settings, but rest assured the ambient portion of the flash exposure will reflect the +/- comp. IMO this is rediculous. I have seen quite a few Nikon users pull there hair out trying to figure why the exposure varies from what they have set. Manual exposure should be adjusted as you mention, by varying either the aperture or shutter speed.
Best,
Chas
Last edited by Charles Glatzer; 08-13-2008 at 08:07 PM.
ok........let me have a minute/day to take all of that in...LOL.....I usually shoot in aperture mode. This past weekend I helped shoot a friends wedding and I used my flash a lot and what I did was adjust the flash output according to my histogram and LCD. But when I tried to adjust exposure comp. with the thumb wheel (or in my case the index wheel since I have chosen to reverse them) dont ask why....maybe I make things too difficult :-) but anyway when I tried to adjust on the camera I didnt always see the meter move???? It stayed to the - most of the time?????? Am I making this too difficult??? If shooting in aperture, where should I adjust for the easiest and quickest shooting???? Thanks ahead of time!!
Chas is right that if exposure comp is dialed in, say, aperture priority mode and you switch it into manual mode, the exposure composition is still applied . It's been that way with almost every Nikon camera I've owned. At least the Nikon digital cameras show a +/- symbol just above the right end of the viewfinder analog scale to remind you that exposure comp is dialed in. With my Nikon F4, there never was any indication in the viewfinder, in any mode, to show that exp compensation was applied.
flash and exposure comp.
May I chime in for clarification?
Example: The camera is set to aperture priority and I dial in -1 on the SB800 to underexpose the foreground.
If I now decide to expose the background +2 (drag the shutter) by changing the exp comp dial, does the foreground exp now change to +1 instead the-1 that I originally desired; e.g., (+2-1=+1)? :confused:
If so, I see where it would be easier to use manual exposure, dial in +2 via shutter speed, leave the exposure compensation setting at 0, and dial in -1 on the SB800.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote