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Path: utzoo!utcs!nishri
From: nishri@utcs.UUCP (Alex Nishri)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Nikon TTL flash and flash related problems
Message-ID: <308@utcs.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Dec-84 03:09:11 EST
Article-I.D.: utcs.308
Posted: Wed Dec 26 03:09:11 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Dec-84 03:41:41 EST
References: <226@ttidcb.UUCP>
Reply-To: nishri@utcs.UUCP (Alex Nishri)
Organization: University of Toronto - General Purpose UNIX
Lines: 42
Summary: 

In article <226@ttidcb.UUCP> josephs@ttidcb.UUCP (Bill Josephs) writes:
>Question:  does anyone know of an easy way to meter synchro flash
>(using the flash as fill to an already sunlit scene) using the TTL
>setting and not the auto setting of the Nikons (or any TTL flash for
>that matter)?  As soon as the flash is turned on, the normal meter is
>disabled.  The scene brightness, then, controls the duration of the
>flash and not the aperture/shutter combination, i. e., you are stuck
>at 1/250th and the aperture you set.  If this would lead to an
>underexposure, then the flash is forced to a maximum fill destroying
>any subtle effects that you're after.  If the setting would result in
>an overexposure, there is nothing you can do (unless you can arrange
>to have the flash "suck" up some of the excess light and and use it to
>recharge the battery!?!) The only success I've had is to meter the
>scene manually, note the aperture used for 1/250th, turn the flash on
>and set that aperture (and hope that things don't change too rapidly
>while the flash is charging).   Not a satisfactory procedure.

You did not specify which Nikon you had, but I assume you are talking
about the Nikon FE2.  The Nikon FE2 will set your speed to 1/250 when
it detects the flash ready signal and you have set a speed faster equal
to or higher than 1/250 or you have set the auto speed.  If you set a
slower speed, than it is honoured.

This makes it easy obtain a 1:1 ratio flash fill at any aperture for
which the required speed is less than 1/250.  Simply set your prefered
aperature.  Then match needle (manually) the speed.  Then take your
picture with the flash and TTL setting.

Of course 1:1 is not the optimal ratio in most situations.  Other ratios
should be possible by setting the speed carefully, but that is difficult
to do quickly.  It would be nice if the compensation dail would work in
this situation -- does anyone know if it does?

In practical situations I have not worried about the precise ratio.  I 
have some nice pictures taken during a wedding service where there was
light coming in from overhead church windows.  By using 1/30 and 1/15
I was able to provide a meaningful background to the wedding party as
they came in.

Alex Nishri
University of Toronto
 ... utcs!nishri