Nikon SB-600 : Learn How To Use It
When I first posted about my attempts to learn how to use my Nikon SB-600 I sought out answers on Flickr and on the Strobist Blog. I got some great feedback and tips on how to use it but the bottom line is that these tips and settings do not work in every situation. I, like many others was looking for the simple answer on how to conquer the use of the flash in all situations.
As time has passed, the best tip that I was given was to simply use the thing. Try it out. See what works. Over the past few months (and lots of AA batteries) I have used the SB-600 in various settings with wonderful results. I have abandoned using the Automatic function on the flash and I only use it in Manual Mode. Here are the steps that I take when using my SB-600:
- Set your aperture to your desired setting to get the DOF that you are looking for in the photograph
- Set the power of your flash as a starting point. This will vary based on how far away you are from your subject
- Review the photograph and the histogram on the rear LCD screen of the camera
- Adjust the power up or down depending on what you see
- Keep photographing, checking the LCD, and re-adjusting the power of the flash
This may seem like common sense to some, but for those of us who have bought the SB-600 and have felt totally lost, it is the best place to start. You will find that the flash will be on your camera a lot more and that you will be more comfortable using it.
Back to Basics : Using the SB-600 on Camera
It has recently occurred to me that while I have messed around a little with my Nikon SB-600 and I never leave home without it, I really don’t feel that comfortable putting it to use on camera. Lately, I have been noticing a lot of people using their speed lights in situations that I tend to bump up the ISO or open the aperture a little wider in order to compensate for not really knowing how to use the paperweight that I carry with me.
So, what I am going to do about it? Well, I am going to force myself to use it so that I can get a better grip on the ‘right’ way to use it. I know, I have started into Strobist techniques a bit with the Cactus Triggers that I picked up a few months back but I feel like I should learn how to crawl a bit before I run.
I am hoping to pass on whatever I learn as I make my way through this with some tips and some fun shots along the way.
Stay tuned !!
Day 12 of Project 50
Earlier in the day @joshbobbitt on Twitter seemed perplexed as to what to shoot for his daily image. I suggested that he do some self portrait work, possibly working from different points of view.
I partially took my own advice. However, instead of working from different points of view, I got out my Nikon SB-600 and umbrella stand so that I could practice more with the Strobist lighting technique.
In doing take self portraits I have learned that you have to have a sense of humor about yourself. Clearly, I do. I may take a few barbs for this but I really like how it came out. Your feedback is always welcome.
Be sure to view other photographers’ progress in Project 50 over in the Flickr Group.
Wireless Radio Flash Triggers
With all of the playing that I have done using the Strobist technique of off camera lighting, I was interested in using wireless radio triggers to fire my SB-600 off camera. I had been using Nikon CLS up to now where I had the pop-up flash set to 1/128 to trigger the SB-600 without affecting the exposure. My hope was to abandon this method in favor of a completely wireless way of getting the SB-600 to fire.
Through searching the Strobist Group on Flickr, I learned about Pocket Wizards, Cybersyncs, and Cactus Triggers. Here is a quick breakdown of the three:
- Pocket Wizards – Work on a radio signal that is sent from the transmitter when the shutter is released to a receiver that is mounted on the flash unit. The receiver can be up to 1600 feet away. They are TTL capable, 16 channel selectable, highly reliable, and the preference of most professional photographers. The downside is that one transmitter/receiver set will run close to $400.
- Cybersyncs This system is also 16 channel selectable and has a maximum range of 400 feet between the transmitter and the receiver. One transmitter/receiver set will run close to $150 which is attractive, but with the loss of range, you also loose TTL capability.
- Cactus Triggers This is the least expensive route to go down when exploring wireless radio triggers. A transmitter/receiver set runs for less than $50. With the decrease in price, you also lose performance. The Cactus Triggers have a very limited range (~20 feet), are only 4 channel selectable, and (are reportedly) highly unreliable.
Being a complete beginner in this area I opted to try the Cactus Triggers first. I figured that using them would be a great way to play around with the technology with minimum investment seeing as how I will mostly be using them around the house where my need for range and channel selectivity will be at a minimum. I am sure that once I really start playing with them I will learn if they are right for me or if I need something more. Seeing as I only have one SB-600, I only got one transmitter/receiver set. Additional receivers are under $20 but I believe that I can pick up a second strobe with an optical slave so that I can fire it that way.
I should also mention Radio Poppers. They are another option to consider that are priced a closer to the Pocket Wizards.
More With Off Camera Lighting (Strobist)
You may have read my previous post about how I started to get into off camera lighting (Strobist). I took it all a step further last week and picked up a 45″ umbrella, an umbrella clamp, and a stand to further my efforts into the technique.
At first I took some amazing shots of my wife with the setup but last night I went with some smaller subjects. I wanted to see the effects using the umbrella vs. using the flash directly on the subject or by bouncing it off local surfaces (ceiling and walls).
“Lucky Leilani” served as my model for the little project. She proved to be a very patient participant in the work.
In this first image, the SB-600 was aimed over and down on the model 45 degrees to camera right while being fired through the umbrella. What you can see is that the light is very evenly distributed all over the model providing a nice exposure.
As a comparison, the same setup was used except this time, the umbrella was removed. In this second image, the SB-600 was aimed directly on the model 45 degrees to camera left without the umbrella. What can be seen is that the shadows on the model are much harsher producing a more dramatic effect but I struggled with getting a proper exposure. While I like the shadows here, I do not like how the image is under exposed.
In talking with other Stobists on Twitter and Flickr, it was recommended to me to move the SB-600 to an angle of 60 degrees or more in future experiments in order to maintain the dramatic effect of the shadows while getting the exposure right.
I plan on playing around more with this in order to get the results that I am looking for. If you have any questions about the equipment that I am using or what the set-up looks like, Email and I will be glad to answer you.
Strobist Tests
I am starting to explore the practice of using my SB-600 off camera. After poking around over on the Strobist Blog, I have decided that I am going to give this a bit of a go. I am planning on ordering the a light stand, clamp, and umbrella in order to get more use out of the SB-600 off camera. Check out the Lighting 101 section of the blog for a great overview of what you need in order to do this.
The more I have read through the blog, the more questions I have. I figured the best way to learn is to simply mess around with what I already have. So, earlier tonight, I collected my D90, SB-600, ML-L3 remote, and my two tripods and moved into the living room. I set the SB-600 on a small tripod and the D90 on the larger one.
I moved and tilted the flash all over the room having the light directly on me and reflecting the light off of the walls and ceiling. I also toyed around with the power settings of the flash that is in the camera as well as the SB-600 which was set up as a remote.
Yes, that is right. The light fell on me as I was the subject. I figured that I would be as good of a guinea pig as anyone. Here are two of the shots that I liked the most. I have to say, it is not so much fun seeing so many photographs of yourself in such horrible light. Oh well, If you can’t laugh at yourself …
I am interested in any feedback that anyone has to offer.
