What is TTL? (newb)
- Thread starter Jai1989
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BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Re: Noob question about flashes
The answer is "Yes". Well, OK, the answer is that the camera has a TTL mode which will adjust the flash according to the metering. Your on board flash is TTL (provided you're operating in TTL mode - a setting in the menus), but can also be operated in manual mode. It's when you go to separate flash units that you need to be sure that the unit you buy is compatible with your camera. Nikon SpeedLights will be, of course, but with 3rd party units you need to be sure you purchase one that is Nikon compatible - just like you need to make sure a 3rd party lens comes with a Nikon and not a Canon mount. Most 3d party flash units that are specified for Nikon bodies will work as a TTL unit with your D3100, but it's always good to check manufacturer specs. They will usually have a Mode selector on the back that allows it to operate in TTL, where it communicates with your camera, as well as Manual mode in increments from full power down to 1/16 power and possibly less.
The answer is "Yes". Well, OK, the answer is that the camera has a TTL mode which will adjust the flash according to the metering. Your on board flash is TTL (provided you're operating in TTL mode - a setting in the menus), but can also be operated in manual mode. It's when you go to separate flash units that you need to be sure that the unit you buy is compatible with your camera. Nikon SpeedLights will be, of course, but with 3rd party units you need to be sure you purchase one that is Nikon compatible - just like you need to make sure a 3rd party lens comes with a Nikon and not a Canon mount. Most 3d party flash units that are specified for Nikon bodies will work as a TTL unit with your D3100, but it's always good to check manufacturer specs. They will usually have a Mode selector on the back that allows it to operate in TTL, where it communicates with your camera, as well as Manual mode in increments from full power down to 1/16 power and possibly less.
rocketman122
Senior Member
Re: Noob question about flashes
bang for the buck you cant go wrong with yongnuo flashes. for $170 shipped you can get the flagship flash which is very powerful, has very quick recycle times and does HSS should you ever want to shoot flash outdoors for fill flash.
bang for the buck you cant go wrong with yongnuo flashes. for $170 shipped you can get the flagship flash which is very powerful, has very quick recycle times and does HSS should you ever want to shoot flash outdoors for fill flash.
Re: Noob question about flashes
like everyone else above, you need to make sure that the flash itself is compatible with Nikons first off, then you need to see if they are TTL compatible. Really all that it means is that it will compensate from light metering which is being seen Through The Lens (TTL).
There are plenty of TTL compatible flashes out there, aside from Nikon, although you should make sure that with Nikons it is a more recent model which is compatible with the iTTL (Digital). These are all explained in your manual.
Then there are the off brands like Nissan, Metz, Yongnuo, etc. Yongnuo being quite powerful and cheaper with decent quality.
like everyone else above, you need to make sure that the flash itself is compatible with Nikons first off, then you need to see if they are TTL compatible. Really all that it means is that it will compensate from light metering which is being seen Through The Lens (TTL).
There are plenty of TTL compatible flashes out there, aside from Nikon, although you should make sure that with Nikons it is a more recent model which is compatible with the iTTL (Digital). These are all explained in your manual.
Then there are the off brands like Nissan, Metz, Yongnuo, etc. Yongnuo being quite powerful and cheaper with decent quality.
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
Re: Noob question about flashes
I currently have two flashes, a Nikon SB-400 and a Yongnuo 468-II and they're both great to work with.
People snicker at the SB-400 but in my experience it's freaking awesome. The Yongnuo 468-II is much larger and much more powerful of course. I paid less than $100 for mine, taxed and shipped, and it does everything I need and then some. Nikon flashes, are, IMO, horribly overpriced. People who parrot the oft repeated, "You get what you pay for" have obviously not shot with a Yongnuo flash.
I currently have two flashes, a Nikon SB-400 and a Yongnuo 468-II and they're both great to work with.
People snicker at the SB-400 but in my experience it's freaking awesome. The Yongnuo 468-II is much larger and much more powerful of course. I paid less than $100 for mine, taxed and shipped, and it does everything I need and then some. Nikon flashes, are, IMO, horribly overpriced. People who parrot the oft repeated, "You get what you pay for" have obviously not shot with a Yongnuo flash.
Re: Noob question about flashes
I do not think that there is anything wrong with an SB400, it's a great flash for someone that is not too involved with photography where they want to spend hundreds of $$ on a flash. They are much better than your built in flash.
With that said, I feel that Yongnuo's definitely offer something up for the person that wants to try out flash photography without footing the bill for a Nikon flash. While I will agree somewhat to a degree of Nikon flashes being a bit over the top. You do get a lot for the money. Full compatibility and controls on all Nikon remote flashes(SB-700,800,900,910 SB-600 does not offer commander mode), the list goes on.
With Yongnuo flashes, you they will work as great slave flashes and some do work with iTTL (YN-568ex II, YN-560III, YN-565ex, etc). The new YN-560exIII does offer up built in wireless control when using their flash triggers as well.
Choice really ends up being up to you.
I do not think that there is anything wrong with an SB400, it's a great flash for someone that is not too involved with photography where they want to spend hundreds of $$ on a flash. They are much better than your built in flash.
With that said, I feel that Yongnuo's definitely offer something up for the person that wants to try out flash photography without footing the bill for a Nikon flash. While I will agree somewhat to a degree of Nikon flashes being a bit over the top. You do get a lot for the money. Full compatibility and controls on all Nikon remote flashes(SB-700,800,900,910 SB-600 does not offer commander mode), the list goes on.
With Yongnuo flashes, you they will work as great slave flashes and some do work with iTTL (YN-568ex II, YN-560III, YN-565ex, etc). The new YN-560exIII does offer up built in wireless control when using their flash triggers as well.
Choice really ends up being up to you.
Re: Noob question about flashes
I'll tell you what I got for my money when I bought two SB900s; a pair of flash units that overheat and shutdown if you take too many shots close together. Pretty much the only difference with the 900 and 910 is that they fixed this issue. Aside from that that are very good units, but I'm thinking of picking up a couple of YNs for manual work, albeit I can probably use TTL as well if I get the right unit.
I'll tell you what I got for my money when I bought two SB900s; a pair of flash units that overheat and shutdown if you take too many shots close together. Pretty much the only difference with the 900 and 910 is that they fixed this issue. Aside from that that are very good units, but I'm thinking of picking up a couple of YNs for manual work, albeit I can probably use TTL as well if I get the right unit.
Scott Murray
Senior Member
rocketman122
Senior Member
Re: Noob question about flashes
bravo! I personally know many weddings photographers who use the 560III for manual fill flash. and many pros who use the 568 and 565's as their main flash. I myself have a 568 and its a great flash. just the fact that the head can be swiveled without the lock button. under stress to get a shot the lock release button is a huge hinder.
Im waiting for the 568II for nikon to be released and ill sell my SB800 cause it doesnt work well with their 622n slaves. there is a huge delay between pressing and it firing.
all in all, fantastic flash for the money. even the phottix mitros is a great pro alternative. $300, 2 years warranty vs nikon's 1. it has almost everything the SB910 has. but it does underexpose 1 stop and needs to be adjusted. if they could fix that via a firmware update, I will get that. no need to pay $550 for a pro flash today. theres a lot of options.
bravo! I personally know many weddings photographers who use the 560III for manual fill flash. and many pros who use the 568 and 565's as their main flash. I myself have a 568 and its a great flash. just the fact that the head can be swiveled without the lock button. under stress to get a shot the lock release button is a huge hinder.
Im waiting for the 568II for nikon to be released and ill sell my SB800 cause it doesnt work well with their 622n slaves. there is a huge delay between pressing and it firing.
all in all, fantastic flash for the money. even the phottix mitros is a great pro alternative. $300, 2 years warranty vs nikon's 1. it has almost everything the SB910 has. but it does underexpose 1 stop and needs to be adjusted. if they could fix that via a firmware update, I will get that. no need to pay $550 for a pro flash today. theres a lot of options.
rocketman122
Senior Member
not nice- hahahahaTime To Learn
Scott Murray
Senior Member
I thought it quite appropriate
rocketman122
Senior Member
rocketman122
Senior Member
YongNuo YN-568EX – TTL & FP HSS Flash Review | FLASH HAVOC
I suggest buying one good flash you can grow with should you feel you want to take your skills further. I went through this by upgrading over time and its not smart. the fact that you have more features also makes you want to try them. for $170 shipped its not an issue. compare that to nikons SB700 $350 for a very features limited flash. build quality on the yongnuo is very solid. recycle time is VERY quick. overheat protection and guide number just about as strong as the $550 SB910. only thing I wished it had was a battery pack port.
you can also use it as a slave for fill in flash using nikons cls. meaning, if youre in a restaurant with freidns for instance, you can use the supplied base foot they include and place that somewhere off to the side and bounce it up and use the built in flash in the camera (not sure what u use) to be your main flash and fire straight at them and the yongnuo to bounce light off the ceiling to make the picture nice and soft and nicely lit. just go into the camera menu and set it up. really simple to do. MUCH simpler than canons menus.
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Re: Noob question about flashes
Thank you for that! All of these years I thought it stood for Transistor Transistor Logic. Such is life with acronyms ....
Thank you for that! All of these years I thought it stood for Transistor Transistor Logic.
Such is life with acronyms ....