Intro to manual flash

**mattt** · 12-03-2012, 07:59 PM

I've been playing around with my 540 with old manual glass, and often fart around trial and error, but I have had to send my body in for some maintenance, and have considered using the big flash on my ME Super - so I started digging for info. I've read Bryan Petersons Understanding Flash Photography. It was OK, but a little soft on the calculations. I came across this video on Youtube that I thought some otner neophyte could benefit from so I'm posting here.

Youtu.be

Aegon · 12-03-2012, 09:28 PM

The 540 also has a useful A mode that should work with any camera. Set the ISO, set the aperture, fire away.

**southlander** · 12-03-2012, 09:58 PM

The A mode seems to work ok with my K-x, M glass and 540 combo, provided the distance to image is reasonable (eg I don't think the A mode can control the flash well enough at macro type distances).

The on-camera flash can be quite reasonable as well as a fully manual flash and with a GN of 13, maths is simple. One metre equals F13, 2 metres equals F6.5 at ISO 100. In practice, I take a test shot and view the histogram and fine tune aperture as needed.

This was a couple of metres distance and worked well, using the 540 on A mode and as a bounce off the ceiling. Lens was a M85 2.0

This was using the on-board flash outdoors, again with the M85:

**maxfield_photo** · 12-03-2012, 10:18 PM

With manual flash, if you don't have a light meter, just use a gray card. When the spike is in the center, you have proper exposure. Of course a light meter takes all the guesswork out, and a good one will even tell you your ratio of flash to ambient.

elliott · 12-04-2012, 02:07 AM

Originally posted by maxfield_photo

With manual flash, if you don't have a light meter, just use a gray card. When the spike is in the center, you have proper exposure. Of course a light meter takes all the guesswork out, and a good one will even tell you your ratio of flash to ambient.

I've been looking for a decent older flash meter for a reasonable price. I can't afford a new Sekonic, but I don't want to go with the cheap Chinese ones on the market. Does anyone know about the old Minolta meters?

bdery · 12-04-2012, 06:06 AM

A great introduction (longer than this) is the Strobist blog. check it out!

**maxfield_photo** · 12-04-2012, 10:06 AM

Sekonic, Gossen, Polaris and Minolta all make good meters. Be sure though to get an incident meter capable of metering flash. Some of the old analog meters will only measure continuous light sources.

Though they are pricy, the Sekonic meters have a function the shows you the ratio of flash to ambient expressed as a percentage, which is a huge time saver when doing environmental portraits. You just take one test shot, and just roll the jog wheel until you get the ratio you want, like say 30% flash to ambient, and then set that aperture and shutter speed on your camera and every shot comes out perfect.

I own the granddaddy, the 758 DR, which I use on digital, but also on film for executing the Zone system; I can't praise it highly enough, it cuts my post production time dramatically. But if you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the Sekonic 358 has most of the features of it's big brother but at a fraction of the price (mainly just the spot meter functions are missing). You also see a lot of these for sale on the used market which makes them an insanely good deal.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Intro to Eric	ericxgbxericx2008	Welcomes and Introductions	3	10-19-2012 07:43 PM
I cant get my external flash to fire in manual mode	dmbaile2	Pentax K-r	6	05-20-2012 02:29 AM
pop up flash to manual with newest lenses	slip	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	02-28-2011 03:53 PM
Intro to board	belthazar48	Welcomes and Introductions	6	04-18-2010 05:31 PM
Any way to reduce on-board flash output with manual aperture lenses?	Eruditass	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	04-08-2010 10:00 AM

12-03-2012, 09:28 PM	#2
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	The 540 also has a useful A mode that should work with any camera. Set the ISO, set the aperture, fire away.

12-03-2012, 09:58 PM	#3
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	The A mode seems to work ok with my K-x, M glass and 540 combo, provided the distance to image is reasonable (eg I don't think the A mode can control the flash well enough at macro type distances). The on-camera flash can be quite reasonable as well as a fully manual flash and with a GN of 13, maths is simple. One metre equals F13, 2 metres equals F6.5 at ISO 100. In practice, I take a test shot and view the histogram and fine tune aperture as needed. This was a couple of metres distance and worked well, using the 540 on A mode and as a bounce off the ceiling. Lens was a M85 2.0 This was using the on-board flash outdoors, again with the M85:

12-03-2012, 10:18 PM	#4
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	With manual flash, if you don't have a light meter, just use a gray card. When the spike is in the center, you have proper exposure. Of course a light meter takes all the guesswork out, and a good one will even tell you your ratio of flash to ambient.

12-04-2012, 02:07 AM	#5
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by maxfield_photo With manual flash, if you don't have a light meter, just use a gray card. When the spike is in the center, you have proper exposure. Of course a light meter takes all the guesswork out, and a good one will even tell you your ratio of flash to ambient. I've been looking for a decent older flash meter for a reasonable price. I can't afford a new Sekonic, but I don't want to go with the cheap Chinese ones on the market. Does anyone know about the old Minolta meters?

12-04-2012, 06:06 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	A great introduction (longer than this) is the Strobist blog. check it out!

12-04-2012, 10:06 AM	#7
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	Sekonic, Gossen, Polaris and Minolta all make good meters. Be sure though to get an incident meter capable of metering flash. Some of the old analog meters will only measure continuous light sources. Though they are pricy, the Sekonic meters have a function the shows you the ratio of flash to ambient expressed as a percentage, which is a huge time saver when doing environmental portraits. You just take one test shot, and just roll the jog wheel until you get the ratio you want, like say 30% flash to ambient, and then set that aperture and shutter speed on your camera and every shot comes out perfect. I own the granddaddy, the 758 DR, which I use on digital, but also on film for executing the Zone system; I can't praise it highly enough, it cuts my post production time dramatically. But if you're looking for something that won't break the bank, the Sekonic 358 has most of the features of it's big brother but at a fraction of the price (mainly just the spot meter functions are missing). You also see a lot of these for sale on the used market which makes them an insanely good deal.