Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I tried placing a mini-softbox on the flash head, and remetering the flash, and I fould the softbox cuts the light by 1 to 1.5 stops. Is this a good method? It sounds good to me because not only would I be getting as close to the desired level of fill as possible, but I would also be diffusing the light with the softbox. Is stopping down the lens a stop going to do the same thing as cutting the flash by a stop (with softbox)? The flash I am using does not allow for altering the flash output. I think I would need a $400 Metz flash to do that..... I am trying to find out if using a small softbox on the flash will effectively simulate a Metz flash set for fill...?? At 01:24 PM 5/13/98 -0400, you wrote: >Francesco, >If you want 1-2/3 stop fill ratio, you can decrease the power output from your >flash unit. Or purchase some ND gels (ROSCO) that go over theatrical or movie >lights. Gradations of 0.3 equal one stop, refered to as N3s or ND3s or any >combination. You can also purchase ND with warming characteristics, see your >local movie grip supplier for complete assortment (they have sample books). >Most times the sample size gels are perfect for smaller flash units. >Different effects such as overpowering the subject and darkening the >background (Annie Liebowitz circa 1980) needs large flash units and or high >sync speeds. For brighttening the background you need to extend the shutter >speed. For fill flash, regulate the output of the flash. If the ambient >exposure is 1/50 @f 11, fill flash output should be f 6.3. For equal >brightness the flash output should be at f 11. To overpower the scene and >darken the background, flash should be f 16 or greater and lense set >accordingly. Hope this helps >Al > Francesco Sanfilippo, Five Senses Productions webmaster@5senses.com http://www.5senses.com/