[awscreo]

Was wondering if someone has any insights on the best ways to achieve focus in a dark-ish room when doing portraits with simple speedlight (I have the 540 Fgz and 360 fgz).

I kind of figured out how to work with the lights to achieve a result that I want, but I'm wondering what other people are using to achieve focus before firing the flash. Do you use a small lamp or smth on all the time for focusing? If yes, would color of the bulb be an issue in post processing?

I see that 540 fgz has a modeling light, but I don't think it works the same way as the big studio speedlights? From what I see online, the big lights have the ability to have a constant light, and then fire off a flash, making focusing easier. Is there a way to simulate that with small flashes?

Thanks for help

[SSGGeezer]

My Yongnuo 585EX has a modelling light also. As long as you turn on the AF assist light in the menu of your camera of course.

[awscreo]

Mm, i never found it quite enough to focus in the dark room. I have it on most of the time.

[Wasp]

For the most part, the flashes should overwhelm the room light completely. To play it safe, use a daylight type of bulb in the room light.

[SSGGeezer]

For the most part, the flashes should overwhelm the room light completely. To play it safe, use a daylight type of bulb in the room light.

The issue with inexpensive LED bulbs is that while the overall temperature of light may be at 5K or 2700 K depending on the bulb, these cheaper LEDs often have spikes at different K values that can confuse your TTL metering. I have noticed that when using a mix of Cree and Phillips LEDs that when most but not all are 2700K that I get a horrible yellow cast to my images, even with fill in flash. While several bulbs are 5K, they are overwhelmed metering-wise by the near 2700K lights and spikes from the 5K LED bulb.

[awscreo]

I will be purchasing few color correcting gels when I can, will be leaving some of the indoor lights on and adjusting the color of my flashes to make sure I have a natural and even color in photos. Hope it will work out)

---------- Post added 11-19-18 at 12:30 PM ----------

My Yongnuo 585EX has a modelling light also. As long as you turn on the AF assist light in the menu of your camera of course.

How does it work on yn flashes? On Pentax I believe it's a separate mode and its mainly aimed at making sure face is lit up as you wanted before taking a shot.

[SSGGeezer]

I will be purchasing few color correcting gels when I can, will be leaving some of the indoor lights on and adjusting the color of my flashes to make sure I have a natural and even color in photos. Hope it will work out)

---------- Post added 11-19-18 at 12:30 PM ----------



How does it work on yn flashes? On Pentax I believe it's a separate mode and its mainly aimed at making sure face is lit up as you wanted before taking a shot.

Crosses projected into the target area. On the rare occasions I have needed it, it worked fine. P-TTL when set also works well, as well as triggered by my KP when off camera.

[awscreo]

Interesting. But my flashes are usually in large softboxes triggered wirelessly, I guess won't work for me.