Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]InfinityDT@aol.com wrote: >>In a message dated 9/10/99 11:40:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time, >>peterk@lucent.com writes: >> >><< Sets it to -1.7 from ambient, and Nikon's flash system >> is still magical compared to >> anything else out there. >> >> Peter K >> > >Some photographers (John Shaw for example) set their Nikon flash to >underexpose 2/3 stop from whatever fill ratio the computer picks (usually a >range between 1 and -1). This is different from Rowell's technique. The way >Galen uses fill flash (constant -1.7-stop ratio) can be done with any camera >and flash setup including non-TTL with thyristor flash like a Vivitar 283. >The key is to be able to "trick" the flash into thinking you're using a >faster ISO film. With some TTL cameras this means forsaking auto-exposure >and going on manual. That's where the Nikon-type system is more >user-friendly than some. A friend told me he can set his Metz 40 MZ-whatever >to underexpose (fill) with his R7, so I imagine the R8 would do this as well. >I haven't tried them myself. > - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------ Yes, you can set some fill flash using MOST flashes, but not all and not to the same degree. The Metz has a very good way of handling exposure which you can set but in full stops, Vivitar 283/5 only has 4 auto settings. This may pose a problem with these external non-TTL flash units which only allow you these specific settings. Example: You read F11 ambient light and want a 1.5 underexposure from the flash for fill. If you use a Metz you can only select F8 or F5.6, with the Vivitar F8 or F4. The only Flash I am aware of that can handle specific 1/2 or 1/3 auto setings is the Q-Flash. Cameras such as the Nikon F and N series provide flash compensation that very easily handles something like the -1.7EV (-1 2/3 stops rounded) fill flash that Galen uses. I believe the Leica R7 and R8 also provide for this but earlier models may not. I am sure a LUGgite R-type (or is that type R?) will be able verify this. Peter K