Tried P-TTL Off-Camera Flash For The First Time...

tabl10s · 10-06-2013, 01:23 PM

yesterday and was wondering what technique produces consistent results? In some instances, I had to go manual as not to over-expose. I also noticed the flash LCD readout, changing as the flash/camera-distance-to-subject varied automatically.

tuggie76 · 10-06-2013, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

yesterday and was wondering what technique produces consistent results? In some instances, I had to go manual as not to over-expose. I also noticed the flash LCD readout, changing as the flash/camera-distance-to-subject varied automatically.

What flash were you using? on my Pentax AF540 I dial in at least 1 stop under exposure, but it still seems to be trial and error.

Tuggie76

**Ash** · 10-06-2013, 02:13 PM

I use the AF540FGZ often for wirelessly triggered flash portraiture. It works very well for me in P-TTL. Sometimes I do need to dial the flash's overall output down by 0.5 or 1 stop, on top of the FEC of -1 on the camera, but usually, I just point and shoot and the portraits are beautifully balanced in lighting.

Ensure the flash to subject distance isn't too far. For best effects in portraiture, consider a diffusing tool such as a shoot-through umbrella - not always necessary, but the softened quality of lighting works well to accentuate textures and create a 3D-like effect on your portraits.

It's certainly not trial and error when I'm shooting in this way.

p38arover · 10-06-2013, 02:39 PM

Interesting. I tried theAF540FGZ hand held recently at Dad's 93rd birthday.

I'm glad I could review the images as they were all very overexposed. I gave up and went manual and I had to do a lot of adjustment.

This was the first time I'd used it. I should have practised first.

k5astro · 10-06-2013, 03:10 PM

you should be able to dial down the flash exposure from the camera flash setup. I've tried shout through umbrellas but often the control flash is not seen properly so I use manual settings.

tabl10s · 10-06-2013, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by tuggie76

What flash were you using? on my Pentax AF540 I dial in at least 1 stop under exposure, but it still seems to be trial and error.

Tuggie76

I was using on e my my Metz 58's and I didn't have a strap on the K-5.

Tanzer · 10-06-2013, 03:27 PM

There is the camera mode (P/A/S/M), and there is the flash mode (P-TTL, Wireless P-TTL, Auto, Manual). What camera mode were you using?

And when you say "I didn't have a strap on the K-5", what do you mean by "strap"?

tabl10s · 10-06-2013, 10:56 PM

Camera: Hyper

Flash: Manual w/P-TTL and built-in bounce card extended.

**Ash** · 10-07-2013, 12:56 PM

One FEC is dialled down, the flash exposure in P-TTL is quite accurate even in changing light conditions.

tabl10s · 10-07-2013, 06:29 PM

What's FEC?

tuggie76 · 10-07-2013, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

What's FEC?

I had to think about that, Flash Exposure Compensation, on the 540, it's the round button.

Tuggie76

**maxfield_photo** · 10-08-2013, 11:58 AM

If you have a Metz 58, I would use Auto mode on the flash if pTTL is letting you down, that is unless you need to do HSS.

For that scenario, I've devised my own 25 foot TTL cord using Cat 5 cables. If you need to do multiple off camera flashes, controlled independently or in flash "groups" I would switch to Nikon.

**Ash** · 10-09-2013, 01:19 PM - **1 Like**

I was referring to the FEC setting on the camera, though. The one where the flash can be dialled down and stays at that setting even when the camera is switched off. So set and forget. Then you have a working P-TTL system without any need for constant adjustment.

p38arover · 10-09-2013, 02:19 PM

I'll try that. Thanks Ash.

10-06-2013, 01:23 PM	#1
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Tried P-TTL Off-Camera Flash For The First Time... yesterday and was wondering what technique produces consistent results? In some instances, I had to go manual as not to over-expose. I also noticed the flash LCD readout, changing as the flash/camera-distance-to-subject varied automatically.

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10-06-2013, 02:01 PM	#2
tuggie76 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,215	Originally posted by tabl10s yesterday and was wondering what technique produces consistent results? In some instances, I had to go manual as not to over-expose. I also noticed the flash LCD readout, changing as the flash/camera-distance-to-subject varied automatically. What flash were you using? on my Pentax AF540 I dial in at least 1 stop under exposure, but it still seems to be trial and error. Tuggie76

10-06-2013, 02:13 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I use the AF540FGZ often for wirelessly triggered flash portraiture. It works very well for me in P-TTL. Sometimes I do need to dial the flash's overall output down by 0.5 or 1 stop, on top of the FEC of -1 on the camera, but usually, I just point and shoot and the portraits are beautifully balanced in lighting. Ensure the flash to subject distance isn't too far. For best effects in portraiture, consider a diffusing tool such as a shoot-through umbrella - not always necessary, but the softened quality of lighting works well to accentuate textures and create a 3D-like effect on your portraits. It's certainly not trial and error when I'm shooting in this way.

10-06-2013, 02:39 PM	#4
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Interesting. I tried theAF540FGZ hand held recently at Dad's 93rd birthday. I'm glad I could review the images as they were all very overexposed. I gave up and went manual and I had to do a lot of adjustment. This was the first time I'd used it. I should have practised first.

10-06-2013, 03:10 PM	#5
k5astro Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 387	you should be able to dial down the flash exposure from the camera flash setup. I've tried shout through umbrellas but often the control flash is not seen properly so I use manual settings.

10-06-2013, 03:13 PM	#6
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Originally posted by tuggie76 What flash were you using? on my Pentax AF540 I dial in at least 1 stop under exposure, but it still seems to be trial and error. Tuggie76 I was using on e my my Metz 58's and I didn't have a strap on the K-5.

10-06-2013, 03:27 PM	#7
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	There is the camera mode (P/A/S/M), and there is the flash mode (P-TTL, Wireless P-TTL, Auto, Manual). What camera mode were you using? And when you say "I didn't have a strap on the K-5", what do you mean by "strap"?

10-06-2013, 10:56 PM	#8
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	Camera: Hyper Flash: Manual w/P-TTL and built-in bounce card extended.

10-07-2013, 12:56 PM	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	One FEC is dialled down, the flash exposure in P-TTL is quite accurate even in changing light conditions.

10-07-2013, 06:29 PM	#10
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424 Original Poster	What's FEC?

10-07-2013, 06:39 PM	#11
tuggie76 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,215	Originally posted by tabl10s What's FEC? I had to think about that, Flash Exposure Compensation, on the 540, it's the round button. Tuggie76

10-08-2013, 11:58 AM	#12
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	If you have a Metz 58, I would use Auto mode on the flash if pTTL is letting you down, that is unless you need to do HSS. For that scenario, I've devised my own 25 foot TTL cord using Cat 5 cables. If you need to do multiple off camera flashes, controlled independently or in flash "groups" I would switch to Nikon.

10-09-2013, 01:19 PM - 1 Like	#13
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I was referring to the FEC setting on the camera, though. The one where the flash can be dialled down and stays at that setting even when the camera is switched off. So set and forget. Then you have a working P-TTL system without any need for constant adjustment.

10-09-2013, 02:19 PM	#14
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	I'll try that. Thanks Ash.