Umbrellas

[superduperwesman]

So I took the plunge and bought two umbrellas w light stands and flash mounts... now what?

I was playing around a little tonight and it seems like TTL is out the window and you have to set the flashes manually?

Anyone got some tips for umbrella usage?

How far to I put the umbrella from the flash (slide it close or further away)?

[superduperwesman]

Here's the kit I bought:

Brand New Stobist Photo Studio Umbrella Flash Mount Kit on eBay.ca (item 370375823589 end time 14-May-10 15:33:06 EDT)

[OsmosisStudios]

Well this depends greatly on what kind of camera and flashes you're using.

[superduperwesman]

Sorry, D90 w/ SB 600 think I might get another for the other umbrella and a Yongnuo YN460-II which I'm currently thinking to use as the background light.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

Sorry, D90 w/ SB 600 think I might get another for the other umbrella and a Yongnuo YN460-II which I'm currently thinking to use as the background light.

If you are using the CLS, you can shoot in TTL no problem. If you continue with Nikon cls speedlights, then you are ok for off camera flash as is. If you buy the Yongnuo, it will not work with with the Nikon system and you will have to buy triggers for the SB600

Here is a video for you

Nikon Inc. | Fast Track to Wireless Speedlights

[GadgetRick]

It depends on how you're connecting to your flashes and whether they support TTL or not. But, honestly, I've yet to get consistent results using TTL off-camera. Not saying you can't get good results but I've been unable to.

Besides, when shooting with umbrella, softbox, etc. your subject isn't (typically) moving too much. Doesn't take much to set the flash properly--especially if you have a light meter--and you really only set it once until you change the subject in some way. Ditto for a custom WB. So TTL doesn't really help you as much as it might shooting on-camera at different subjects at different distances.

[OsmosisStudios]

I used to use CLS in TTL mode for my lights, but I always found that it was underexposing, even with flash exp comp set up. I've since started using the flashes in manual mode. Takes some time to get everything right, but it's immensely more consistent and the standard for most tutorials you'll find online.

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

If you are using the CLS, you can shoot in TTL no problem. If you continue with Nikon cls speedlights, then you are ok for off camera flash as is. If you buy the Yongnuo, it will not work with with the Nikon system and you will have to buy triggers for the SB600

Here is a video for you

Nikon Inc. | Fast Track to Wireless Speedlights

Thanks for the link.

I was playing with things a little last night and the Yongnuo seems to work fine so far as an optical slave in the 3rd mode (have to confirm which mode it was?) with my SB 600 working wirelessly?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

It depends on how you're connecting to your flashes and whether they support TTL or not. But, honestly, I've yet to get consistent results using TTL off-camera. Not saying you can't get good results but I've been unable to.

Besides, when shooting with umbrella, softbox, etc. your subject isn't (typically) moving too much. Doesn't take much to set the flash properly--especially if you have a light meter--and you really only set it once until you change the subject in some way. Ditto for a custom WB. So TTL doesn't really help you as much as it might shooting on-camera at different subjects at different distances.

Yeah the sb600 does support TTL but it seemed to be way under firing which is why I switched over to manual cranked it up a bit but this is probably b/c I was using the YN for the back ground so the TTL was not taking this extra light into consideration?... if I was also using a sb600 the ttl would work better?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I used to use CLS in TTL mode for my lights, but I always found that it was underexposing, even with flash exp comp set up. I've since started using the flashes in manual mode. Takes some time to get everything right, but it's immensely more consistent and the standard for most tutorials you'll find online.

Yeah so I think I might stick w/ manual? But if one flash is not part of the ttl system is that why they sb600 seemed to be firing too low.