SB-700 Diffuser???

DaveW

Senior Member
Hi Guys,
Last weekend I took some pics at a 40th wedding anniversary - not proffesionally of course, but just doing my bit because I am friends with the couple.

Anyways, not having used a flash before (all my stuff is outdoors) I was surprised just how powerful the flash is. Indoors at a low level ceiling say 10 feet high the flash lit up everything in the pics. Not that I'm complaining, but it would have been better if the flash had calmed down a bit.

Used on regular TTL it turned indoors into outdoors and I was wondering if anyone had some ideas into diffusing it down so as to give me a tad softer light.
I aimed the flash high with the regular diffuser attachment that came with it but it still could of used lowering a bit more.
I wouldn't say the pics were over exposed, just that everything as well as who I was taking the pics of, were as if it was daylight.

Gentler is the word I'm looking for but I guess you know what I mean...

Any advice guys?
 

Ranie

Senior Member
what was your camera setting when you used the flash?

for a flash diffuser, i would suggest the Gary Fong Lightsphere Collapsible LSU
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Turn down the power of your flash. It's in the manual. Shoot 1.4, 1/2, 3/4 and full power. And it all depends on the situation you're shooting and the available natural light you're working with. Try this web site for more insight to using a flash: Strobist: Welcome to Strobist.
 

DaveW

Senior Member
I just used it on normal TTL not manual. Actually Gary Fong mentions in one of his lessons on the Lightsphere to leave the camera in TTL and not bother with any manual settings.

I was just impressed with the flash power and being green have not tinkered with the flash in manual mode.
 

DaveW

Senior Member
Ok Guys I must be doing something wrong here.
I put the flash off camera on a light stand and through a 2 foot by 2 foot softbox. I set the camera to commander mode -- to use the pop up flash to trigger the off camera flash.
I then set the power of the flash to 1/128 in that same menu.

I'm using matrix and on manual mode M on camera.

It still seems to bright to me. I didn't upload the photo to computer, just looked at it on the camera's lcd.

Do I need to diffuse it even more? Like putting a sheet over the softbox? This flash is one powerful beast.
You have to remember that I am a non flash user, so I'm easily impressed. But I am looking for a softer light.

By the way, the room was lit by a small table lamp, a fairly large room, but it does have white walls if that has something to do with it.
 

Ranie

Senior Member
what is your F stop? Shutter speed?
when you trigger the off cam flash via CLS, did you cut off the output of the pop-up flash?
If not, then it is the pop up flash that is lighting your subject, not the off cam flash
 

DaveW

Senior Member
Sorry how do you mean?
In commander mode when you set the pop up to -- its supposed to not affect the picture, just command the off camera flash to trigger.
 

DaveW

Senior Member
No EV is fine.
I am actualy sure that everything is fine, I just didn't expect the power the flash can do as compared to the pop up.
I reckon it may be just trial and error here and I'm making beginner mistakes. I suppose that's half the fun of it.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
There are settings on the back side of your flash, on the right hand side. You have the option of selecting full open flash, spot flash and low flash. I'm going to assume you have it set on DX and not FX. Also, I'm going to assume you have the flash set on Remote, not just On. The SB-700 comes with a flash diffuser and 2 coloured inserts for effect flash, so that's not a problem.

You said the room had a table lamp on at the time. Turn the lamp off and see what effect that gives you. I think you'll like the effect. :)

Also, placement of your SB-700 must be in range of your camera to work. I hope this all helps you out.
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
I was asked to shoot a "Gala" it is a fundraiser for a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Theater Group and will be honoring major contributors to the organization. It is this Saturday from about 6-10pm. Some celebrities will be there and I will be the "official photographer". It is hosted at a home in Santa Monica so will be outdoors. There is typically a group of paparazzi's at this event due to the celebrities that attend.

So my question should I pick up a SB-700 and a diffuser? Go natural light? It's near the beach so will probably be nice soft hazy light most of the time. It get's dark here about 8pm now,,,,
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Rick, I would definitely pick up the SB-700. I absolutely love this flash. It comes with a diffuser and 2 colored insert diffusers, so you don't have to buy anything extra. My SB-700 works flawlessly, and I like to call it "idiot proof". :)
 

RickSawThat

Senior Member
Thanks Jack! I think I'll do it. Was checking out that Gary Fong collapsible dome diffuser that was recommended but if I can get good results with the included diffuser then all good :) If the dome will provide visibly better results it's worth it to me though....
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Seriously, Rick, that Gary Fong dome won't give you any better shots than the diffuser that comes with the flash. Not only that, the SB-700 has a flip out diffuser that you can use, too. You've seen pictures of the SB-700 and all that comes with it, right? If not, I can post some here for you. It is really quite the unit for the money. You'll never be sorry you got one. :)

I can suggest this site for you. Awesome prices and a great selection of flash "soft boxes" : http://www.strobepro.com/Camera-Flash_c_22.html

Here's what I'm talking about.
thumbnail.asp.jpg
 
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DaveW

Senior Member
I have compared shots that Gary Fong took of groups with his diffuser (indoors) to the one's I took with the included diffuser of the SB-700, and the results are the same.
Not tried individual shots though, but having used the SB-700 a number of times now, I'm confident that the included diffuser will give good results.
 
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