Blurry photos with flash attachment

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LABorn

New member
Hi all,

I am trying to work through using my new D5100, and am running tests. I need to shoot some close-ups of objects, and want the background blurred out, so have it set on ISO 100, Aperture preferred, with a flash attachment. It is acting as though it doesn't have a flash attached, meaning, the shutter speed is very slow (because the aperture is closed done to 5.6), hence all the photos have camera shake.

I'm finding it hard to believe that I need to use a tripod with a flash. What am I missing here?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
L

LABorn

New member
Flash mode is set to the first option, lightning bolt. Additional info: When I have it set on M or A, the auto flash does not pop up (it does when it's set on "auto" tho). But the flash attachment does work, just the shutter is super slow.
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
Typically when using your flash, your shutter speed will be 1/60 or slower, a speed that would be too slow for handheld photos. But due to the extreme brightness of the flash should overwhelm what blur is created by the slow speed and leave only a sharp image behind (if that makes any sense). But if your flash is not bright enough or you're using it on a subject that is too far away to benefit from the flash, then your image will come out blurry just like any other shot taken at such a slow shutter speed.

Upload an example of a blurry image along with your EXIF data, that would be very helpful in diagnosing the problem
 
L

LABorn

New member
So even with a flash, I need a tripod? Is that correct? Here is an example. I'm zoomed in tight, and about 3 ft away from the object.
 

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L

LABorn

New member
Another question I have. With all the different options for settings, is it possible to use manual settings, with "scene" settings? Or do you have to pick one or the other? Thanks again for your help. I am not savvy in the digital realm, so many options, it's almost overwhelming.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Hold on a second here... I'm confused. Are you are using the built-in pop-up flash or a flash that connects to your cameras hot-shoe?

.....
 
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LABorn

New member
Sorry, that was confusing. I was trouble-shooting. The question is about the flash that connects to the hot shoe, but was mentioning that the auto flash doesn't pop up when the camera is set to M or A (is that normal?) The camera is fairly new so I am only know fiddling with it, to see what's normal or what is a possible defect. But, yes, the main question is about the flash attachment on the hot shoe, and why the shutter speed is so slow even with the flash.
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
LABorn said:
So even with a flash, I need a tripod? Is that correct? Here is an example. I'm zoomed in tight, and about 3 ft away from the object.
Click to expand...

No, you shouldn't need a tripod. That said, blurry photos can be caused by a variety of issues. Camera shake is one of them, so too is understanding AF and insuring you've achieved a proper focus. There are also lens issues that can result in blurry photos. Can you say positively that your non-flash photographs are tact sharp with this lens and the blur only shows up when attempting flash? Have you tried the other flash modes and see the same result? Are you using TTL setting on your flash? How confident are you in your camera holding skills? And by that I mean are you gently squeezing the release button and not jerking it ever so slightly?

D5100 can and will take sharp photos, with and without a flash so we have to presume something is happening within your set up to cause this blur. To find what that is you'll have to deconstruct everything about how you're shooting your photos until you narrow down the problem.
 
L

LABorn

New member
Yes, photos are crisp normally. I think the setting for the flash must be wrong. What should it be set on for a flash attachment? And dumb question, what is "TTL"? Thank you!
 
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Dave_W

The Dude
Btw, slow shutter speeds when using a flash is not a problem because the flash of light is very quick. As a result, the camera will record the photons given off by the large flash and those will drowned out the fewer photons captured before and after the flash so a slow shutter speed is irrelevant since only the "flashed" scene is what appears in your final image. Does that make sense?
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
No problem... Just need to clear while we troubleshoot.

1. It *is* normal that the pop-up flash does *not* pop-up/fire when using Manual and/or Aperture Priority mode. You can press the button on the camera body to get the flash to pop-up when in these modes, and the flash will fire, but if you don't pop the flash up yourself nothing happens with it.

2. Your D5100 is set synch with a flash at 1/60 second. This is normal. Bear in mind the flash is much, much faster than your shutter so while your shutter speed is slow, the "flash" of your flash will freeze motion much like a fast shutter speed. Does that make sense? I'm not sure how else to explain this...

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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
What you MIGHT want to do is this...

Put your camera in Shutter Priority mode.
Pop up your pop-up flash.
Set your shutter speed at 1/125 and keep your ISO at 100.
This will "force" a wide aperture (so you have the desired blurry background).
You'll have both your flash firing and a decent shutter speed.

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L

LABorn

New member
Thanks for that. I just looked in the manual, is it possible the flash I have isn't right for this camera, meaning, not in synch?
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
LABorn said:
Thanks for that. I just looked in the manual, is it possible the flash I have isn't right for this camera, meaning, not in synch?
Click to expand...
Yes, it's entirely possible your external flash is not configured to work with Nikon's.

What make and model of external flash do you have?
 
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