File :-(, x, )
Flash Anonymous
Halp! This picture needs moar lens flare!

On a more serious note: I was on an awesome photo exhibition not long ago, full of award-winning press photographs, and I couldn't help but notice that on almost all of them, the photographer had used flash.

These being awesome pictures, I'm now looking to buy a good, not too expensive flash for my Nikon d80. Does /p/ have any tips? Also, tips on how to use it and NOT use it would also be helpful.

Thanks!
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D80Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsMaximum Lens Aperturef/5.5Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern834Focal Length (35mm Equiv)142 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:08:13 16:26:55Exposure Time1/100 secF-Numberf/13.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModeCenter Weighted AverageLight SourceUnknownFlashNo FlashFocal Length95.00 mmComment(c)SolutionsEtceteraColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width387Image Height259RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
     File :-(, x)
well it just prints a lot better in the newspaper. it's used to either separate the subject better from the background, when it's backlit or they need a fast shutter like 1/250

I'm posting some photos of mine for a paper, just grabbed from our site, unprocessed. they did print lovely in the paper though

first one a bit underexposed - was using my popup flash at full power. my SB600 didn't get shipped in time =/

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareACD Systems Digital ImagingMaximum Lens Aperturef/1.0Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern999Focal Length (35mm Equiv)36 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:08:04 11:54:34White Point Chromaticity0.3Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating100Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashFlash, Return Not DetectedFocal Length24.00 mmCommentJamboree Thijs DeschildreColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width896Image Height600RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessSoftSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
     File :-(, x)
well you usually want flatter skin tones and no harsh shadows when shooting on very bright days. underexposing the sky also gave me a nice deep-blue tint
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
     File :-(, x)
also to get rid of the backlight and get some detail in their faces/front

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D200Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop LightroomMaximum Lens Aperturef/1.0Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern746Focal Length (35mm Equiv)36 mmImage-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:08:12 16:16:58Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating100Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceFine WeatherFlashFlash, Return Not DetectedFocal Length24.00 mmCommentJamboree Thijs DeschildreRenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastSoftSaturationNormalSharpnessSoftSubject Distance RangeUnknown
>> Anonymous
Thank you, but please stop posting your ugly scout army. You should really work on composition.
>> Anonymous
ITT I realize that flash can be used on daytime.
Seriously.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>68643
flash when other amateurs dont flash. at daytime it's really great to fill in and make your subject stand out, if used carefully. don't flash when other people start flashing early in the evening, ramp up the ISO and use a fast lens to capture the prettiest light. if you can, don't use automatic WB but 5600K. it's like magic :)
>> Anonymous
Best flash for your D80: SB-800

Best cheap flash for your D80: SB-24, 26, 28

The 24 is actually expensive and hard to find now, due to the Strobist cachet. So get a 26 or 28 if you can. I've seen them used for 100 bucks.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>68661
get the SB-600 instead of the 800 IMO. it doesnt offer a lot of extras and is a lot more expensive. only a handful of pros really need the few extras
>> Anonymous
>>68676

I don't know about that. The 600 is by all means a capable flash (I have one myself), but the 800 basically blows it out of the water. And they aren't just "pro features."

The 600 doesn't have a PC jack, it's not nearly as powerful as the 800, it recycles slower, it can only act as a slave in CLS (the 800 can master, too), it can't slave to older flashes like the 800 can, etc. . .

I want one myself, except that they're 320 bucks, which is only a few hundred bucks from an Alien Bees or two.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>The 600 doesn't have a PC jack, it's not nearly as powerful as the 800, it recycles slower, it can only act as a slave in CLS (the 800 can master, too), it can't slave to older flashes like the 800 can, etc. . .

you have PC jack on the body usually. it's only a bit less powerful, recycles from full power more quickly (!). SB800 could only be useful if your flash can't serve as a commander (D50/70), otherwise you dont need the 600. SB800 can also do repeatable flash, but who really needs that anyway..
>> Anonymous
The PC jack on a flash is what allows it to connect to a Pocket Wizard or a non-CLS camera (a film camera or, say, a Canon). The 600 doesn't have one.

And the 600 has a GN of 98, while the 800's is 184. That's almost twice as powerful, straight up, which is also why it takes the 800 longer to recharge from a full pop. Set them to the same GN, though, and the 800 recycles faster.

But, like I said, I own one and I love it. If you're just using it as a fill light and only in your hotshoe on top of your camera, the 600 is great. It's small, light, and works like a charm.
>> Anonymous
Thank you! I will look into these models, and probably get a flash diffuser as well. They seem useful as hell.

Only problem with flash is that it makes my camera look HUGE, and already people begin to look scared when I pull it out (mostly doing spontaneous photography).
>> annoyingmouse
hi hi people!
nobody says anything about the SB-400?!
Ken Rockwell really likes it for reasons that I sympathise:
- It is TINY in size and weight
- Can be turned upwards for bouncing
- Recharges real fast

main advantage is of course the size, you won't notice it too much sitting on your D80 permanently in days that you need it, can still fit into a normal bag without being detached.
I doubt OP needs the functions offered by the SB800/ SB600 which are not present in the SB400.
Someone can find the data about the relative strength of it, I am to lazy to google it at the moment, but I am pretty sure that it would be a big improvement over the pop-up flash of the D80 - no?
Also - costs nothing, but I recommend it regardless of price - just because of size issues.
>> Anonymous
Dear OP, why do you want "moar lensflare"? Do you try to hide something in the picture? If the photography isn't perfect the first time, she won't be better with a shoop.
>> Anonymous
>>68810
I actually saw the sb-400 when looking up the other flashes in the store yesterday, and yes, it's tiny! I would like a flash that could turn sideways, though... that would be really nice, getting the light to bounce off walls and such..

>>68812
Dear poster. I will kindly advice you to look up the word 'irony' in a dictionary at your convenience.