Using flash

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southwestsam

Senior Member
I'm considering an SB-700 for my next purchase to go with my D5100 and increase the versatility of my 18-55mm.

the reason being, a decent f/2.8 lens with a wide to mid tele range is about 4x more than the flash!

my only concern is that I don't know much about flash and reading about it seems quite daunting. So I wanted to ask...

1. How easy is flash to use/figure out?

2. Will an SB-700 (or similar) allow me to get natural looking scenes (I.e. without that disgusting flash glare look) whilst being mounted on camera? I know I could use it off camera with a commander but that would double the cost of the flash, right?

3. Is the in-camera flash capable of anything close to a dedicated flash unit and should I get used to using the inbuilt flash first before dipping into the pockets for a dedicated flash?
 
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Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
Many folks here use the SB700 and love it. You can use a flash bracket that moves the flash away from the normal hotshoe location (needs a cable) or with the D5100 you could also use and inexpensive wireless trigger and move the flash off the camera completely. Either way improves the performance of the flash and greatly reduces that harsh flash look.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
1. Easy to use - figure out, just takes practice time. 2. Yes the head swivels which allows you to bounce the flash, again practive time. 3. The camera flash is free, again practice. Check the internet on what you can do with in-camera flash. Get to know your equipment - have a question about your flash photos post a picture here - lots of help here.
 
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WayneF

Senior Member
southwestsam said:
1. How easy is flash to use/figure out?
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Flash is quite easy, and very worth-while, all-important. However most users won't bother to learn anything about flash, because it is not really fully point&shoot. We do have to think about it just a bit, and not everyone is used to that. :) But if you are advanced far enough to understand what aperture, shutter speed and ISO really do, and how to use them (thinking about your pictures, as opposed to point&shoot, never having camera out of Auto-Everything, and with no clue), then flash will be quite easy, and you will love all it can do, and all you can do. Otherwise, yes, flash is not quite fully automatic, so we could say it adds complexity. :)

2. Will an SB-700 (or similar) allow me to get natural looking scenes (I.e. without that disgusting flash glare look) whilst being mounted on camera? I know I could use it off camera with a commander but that would double the cost of the flash, right?
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Sure, if you control it. Proper exposure makes all the difference, and eliminates the deer in the headlight look. We control automatic TTL flash very simply with flash compensation... just watch the results and tweak it slightly to get what you want. Too bright? Simply turn it down. Some cannot do that.

But on-camera flash is very flat light, not really all that bad, but not really all that appealing. Just moving flash off camera makes a big difference. Bouncing it from ceiling is one easy way to do that, it can make a tremendous difference. We do have to think a lot though: 1. turn flash on. 2. set TTL mode. 3. aim flash head up at ceiling. 4. push shutter button. :) (but seriously, many cannot do that). Or umbrellas open up a whole new pleasant world. We can control many aspects of the lighting, if we want to. If we want the control, we will love flash. If that is over our head, then maybe not.

But someone only turns the flash on and aims it forward, and that is the extent of their flash study, results might not be the greatest. People get discouraged and quit using flash, when all they have to do is to think just a bit. Just watch the results, and do what you see you need to do.

If you are into photography, and enjoy controlling your pictures, flash adds many wonderful possibilities. OTOH, if you might say "The dang picture is a little dark, I must need a new better camera", then maybe forget any additional complications. :)

3. Is the in-camera flash capable of anything close to a dedicated flash unit and should I get used to using the inbuilt flash first before dipping into the pockets for a dedicated flash?
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Not really. It cannot bounce, it cannot be moved off camera, it cannot go into an umbrella, and it is very low powered.
It is the absolute minimum.

I'm sort of cynical today, but it all does seem accurate. Obviously, this is not really addressed to you, just my general soap box. :)
 
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southwestsam

Senior Member
Thanks for the detailed reply!

i understand the exposure triangle and the effect each element has on my pictures - I've even started being a bit creative here and there! So I think by the sound of it flash would be something else I could get the hang of. Half the battle is just understanding all the abbreviations and terminology I find!

getting into photography as a hobby has really opened my eyes as to the skill involved in getting some of the pictures professionals are able to get - I never knew there was so much to know/do!
 
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snaphappy

Senior Member
southwestsam I was slightly overwhelmed learning my new camera and the foreign photography language. I took a photography course and when the class was for learning flash I thought "well I won't need that" but when I saw the difference it makes using an external flash especially with bouncing I realized I was so wrong!! I got an sb-700 and it really makes an amazing difference. Yes another learning curve but with playing and practicing it really is great. Even if adjusting in camera flash and using it correctly it can't compare to the external flash. However, using in camera is still better than using nothing. Things to remember white ceilings are your friends so bounce that flash (use white card if needed to direct better), and brighter the main light (sun usually) the brighter your flash should be and the darker the lighting the lower the flash. Another thing to look at for low light is a 35mm or 50mm F1.8...
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
southwestsam said:
I'm considering an SB-700 for my next purchase to go with my D5100 and increase the versatility of my 18-55mm.

1. How easy is flash to use/figure out?
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Fairly easy to learn enough for it to have a positive impact on your indoor photography skills, and even some outside as well. You should allot some time to learning it in depth though. And practice... LOTS of practice to begin with!

2. Will an SB-700 (or similar) allow me to get natural looking scenes (I.e. without that disgusting flash glare look) whilst being mounted on camera? I know I could use it off camera with a commander but that would double the cost of the flash, right?
Click to expand...

Absolutely, even still on camera, once you follow through with step 1. Also, extension cables are fairly cheap, as are wireless flash triggers, but there's a bit more learning curve to using an off-camera flash.

3. Is the in-camera flash capable of anything close to a dedicated flash unit and should I get used to using the inbuilt flash first before dipping into the pockets for a dedicated flash?
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It's an under-powered beast, with a limited range, for most shots, but can be tweaked for use by adjusting the power to suit your needs. Plus, you'll have to get creative if you want to diffuse it in any way. IMO, go ahead and skip learning the built in flash and work with the SB-700 instead. MUCH more rewarding, MUCH less frustrating.

FWIW, as a rookie to the SB-700 myself, two of the easiest things to learn to be of quick benefit are when/how to bounce the flash, and how to quickly adjust the exposure compensation for more/less power as needed. I quickly became acquainted enough with the flash that I can take a shot, adjust once and nail it. Eventually, I'm hoping to skip the "adjust" part in most cases. Let me tell ya, though. It's not just a mount/shoot/glorious result type of accessory... As I said with question 1, allot yourself some time to practice!
 
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