New User....question about Optimal settings....

[ryanp]

Also - shoot in RAW mode so that if any images aren't great, there's a chance they can be saved in post.

Agreed with the above regarding chance of unflattering shots using on camera flash BUT if it's the choice of that or underexposed/blurry photos then my choice would be to risk the flash.
Again, in post, there's always the option of black and white.

Also agreed, this is a tough one to get right because ultimately, everyone here can give advice but with no true idea of shooting conditions then it's all hypothetical. Also, not forgetting, you won't even be shooting so there's a heavy reliance on someone else who may not be the best with a camera.

 

[skene]

Really I would have to say that you may not end up getting the shot you are expecting. Your best bet to try and capture what you want properly may be to hire a local photog that has done some work there, and knows what is involved.
It would be unfortunate that even if you take your camera and an inexperienced photographer that you end up losing the shot.

 

[NewNikon]

Hey guys!
thanks for all the input!

So here's what I've come up with so far, after reading up on articles all day, and doing quite a few test shots on local Christmas lighting as was advised. I actually found two tall trees lit up similarly to the ones at Callaway Gardens, and asked a nearby couple if they would pose for me, and they did. Worked out great! After about 30 pictures with adjustments, I came to these settings, while using a monopod as suggested (already had one of those)

My dad actually had a SB-400, so I was using that. I believe its stock format when using matrix or center point metering is TTL-BL
P-mode
(I'm torn between matrix metering and center-weighted, as we will be the center of the scene??)
ISO: 1250
Exposure Correction: -0.3
Flash: Slow-sync
AF-A Focus Mode
White Balance: Auto
Auto-Area AF
Vivid Picture Control

I'm basically leaving a lot of the guesswork up to the camera, with a few small adjustments.
This would essentially be the same as the Night Portrait selection from the SCENE mode, but it will allow me to use the TTL-BL mode from the SB400, which I think will help give me the fill flash I need.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't use Night Portrait mode, and the TTL-BL mode on the SB-400. Won't it choose TTL mode instead? I figure that might cause some over exposure issues....


Maybe I'm talking about this all the wrong way, but I think I got my settings figured out. Let me know what you think!

 

[WayneF]

So here's what I've come up with so far, after reading up on articles all day, and doing quite a few test shots on local Christmas lighting as was advised. I actually found two tall trees lit up similarly to the ones at Callaway Gardens, and asked a nearby couple if they would pose for me, and they did. Worked out great! After about 30 pictures with adjustments, I came to these settings, while using a monopod as suggested (already had one of those)

My dad actually had a SB-400, so I was using that. I believe its stock format when using matrix or center point metering is TTL-BL
P-mode
(I'm torn between matrix metering and center-weighted, as we will be the center of the scene??)

Fantastic, the experience can only be helpful.

Yes, SB-400 and SB-700 are TTL BL by default. Selecting Spot Metering mode is what switches them to TTL mode (flash systems dont ever do actual Spot metering on the flash).

I'd choose Center metering. With all those lights everywhere, Matrix can only try to take them into account, and do something dumb. Center is probably where your important subject is.

ISO: 1250
Exposure Correction: -0.3
Flash: Slow-sync
AF-A Focus Mode
White Balance: Auto
Auto-Area AF
Vivid Picture Control

You did not actually say what the shutter speed and aperture was? That is what is important. It is rhetoric to me, but you ought to always know.

Slow Sync seems debatable. It allows the shutter speed that the dim ambient actually meters, and bypasses the 1/60 second Minimum Shutter Speed With Flash that would otherwise kick in. However, 1) like Christmas tree lights, you probably need slow shutter to capture the lights well enough, and 2) any Scene mode probably ignores much of that and does its own thing.

I'm basically leaving a lot of the guesswork up to the camera, with a few small adjustments.
This would essentially be the same as the Night Portrait selection from the SCENE mode, but it will allow me to use the TTL-BL mode from the SB400, which I think will help give me the fill flash I need.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't use Night Portrait mode, and the TTL-BL mode on the SB-400. Won't it choose TTL mode instead? I figure that might cause some over exposure issues....

SB-400 will always be TTL-BL unless set to Spot metering.

 

[NewNikon]

Fantastic, the experience can only be helpful.

Yes, SB-400 and SB-700 are TTL BL by default. Selecting Spot Metering mode is what switches them to TTL mode (flash systems dont ever do actual Spot metering on the flash).

I'd choose Center metering. With all those lights everywhere, Matrix can only try to take them into account, and do something dumb. Center is probably where your important subject is.

Good to know I was on the right track with center metering....and I was right about TTL-BL being default on the SB-400. I did a LOT of reading yesterday. lol

You did not actually say what the shutter speed and aperture was? That is what is important. It is rhetoric to me, but you ought to always know.

Slow Sync seems debatable. It allows the shutter speed that the dim ambient actually meters, and bypasses the 1/60 second Minimum Shutter Speed With Flash that would otherwise kick in. However, 1) like Christmas tree lights, you probably need slow shutter to capture the lights well enough, and 2) any Scene mode probably ignores much of that and does its own thing.

Since I was going to be in P mode, I didn't mention shutter speed and aperture as these aren't adjustable in P mode to my knowledge...
I would put it in A mode, but I'm not sure I trust the person who will be operating the camera (as I obviously won't be) to adjust the aperture on the fly if need be. The Night Portrait actual does slow sync flash by default, and I was worried about the exposure according to the massive amount of lights on those trees. lol

I've also decided to turn the ISO level to the 2500-3200 range. I'm taking more photos tonight. Ill post a couple photos tonight, showing each of the different settings, from Auto, to Night Scene, to my personal settings, and to the different ISO levels, as that's my main adjustment. Just two more days!! Starting to get nervous!!

 

[WayneF]

Since I was going to be in P mode, I didn't mention shutter speed and aperture as these aren't adjustable in P mode to my knowledge...

I was just teasing you, but whoever however sets shutters speed and aperture, it is important, about the least the photographer ought to know about his picture. It is in the viewfinder, and we ought to always keep our eye on it, and know what is happening. Sometimes we have to say "No, that's not right here" and do something else. There's nothing wrong with P mode, it has its purposes, and FWIW, I agree with you.

Sounds like it is going real well, and the preparation likely will insure final success.

 

[NewNikon]

Thanks man! It really does feel like its coming together, so hopefully well get some good photos, or at least some I can do some post work with in photoshop...