Beginner with flash unit - help please!

[Pseudomatic]

Hi,

I have a nikon d3000 and have just bought a Nissin Di622 to use on it, and I'm having problems with my shots coming out too dark.

I'm using Aperture priority mode, and finding that with the aperture as wide as possible shots come out ok but as soon as I stop the aperture down a little the shots get darker and darker. I thought TTL metering was supposed to take aperture into account?

This is my first dslr, so I've probably misunderstood or just missed something really basic, but I'm struggling to see what that is. Any tips anyone can provide would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

The shots get darker because the camera goes beyond the synchro speed of your camera which should be around 1/125 or 1/200.

Give us complete data about the shutter speeds at which you took the shots which came out dark.

[Pseudomatic]

I've just read another post about someone having a problem with a canon flash Newbie at 430 ex II flash - Not sure and I think the answer to that question probably answers mine. I was assuming the flash would just give me enough light to take the picture, but apparently in AP mode it assumes I want fill flash, not a picture where flash is the major source of light. I've just tested that theory by taking some pics outside of people with the sun behind them and the fill flash appears to be working nicely.

My question then becomes, "How do I tell the camera I just want enough light to take the picture?" It seems that either P or M modes might be the answer, and that I have a lot of reading to do to understand flash unit photography!

Thanks so much for trying to help me, and so quickly. I wish I'd found that thread before I posted a new one and saved you some trouble. Sorry.

[abarickman]

Switch to manual with the flash off. Adjust your settings so that the background is exposed as you would like. Turn on the flash and if in ETTL it will provide enough flash to properly expose the subject.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Gaurav Prabhu

The shots get darker because the camera goes beyond the synchro speed of your camera which should be around 1/125 or 1/200.

Give us complete data about the shutter speeds at which you took the shots which came out dark.

No. When dealing with exposure with a flash, the shutterspeed controls the ambient light and the aperture controls the light from the flash. If the image is okay with a larger aperture and gets darker when the aperture is stopped down, then that's the issue. If need be, raise the ISO to get more out of the flash, or adjust the flash if you can.

Originally Posted by abarickman

Switch to manual with the flash off. Adjust your settings so that the background is exposed as you would like. Turn on the flash and if in ETTL it will provide enough flash to properly expose the subject.

The Nissin doesnt have TTL, so it's all manual. It should however, have controls for output.

[Pseudomatic]

Thanks for your help guys. I've been reading and experimenting all evening and while my results still aren't great they are at least improving...

Abarickman - have had a play with what you suggest, thanks. I assume that goes the same day or night - I.e. I can use the same approach for fill-flash during the day.

OsmosisStudios - I think the di622 does have ttl - or at least I hope so. The specs I read before buying it listed compatibility with Nikon I-ttl on my camera.