I used to use a Sunpack 622, great flash if it wasn't so darn big, I use
Vivitars now, anyway this is how I use a flash with a thyristor, I decide
what f stop I prefer to use then set to flash to that f stop setting and the
camera also, then do test shoots, that will tell me how much difference
there is from the flash out put and what the camera sees, this has to be at
a specific distance, even with a thyristor set at say 5.6 a flash will give
different exposures at 10 feet then it will at lets say 6 or 5 feet, once
you have determined how the flash works at a particular distance your all
set, then you just adjust the f stop on your camera for different distances
and leave the flash alone, example I am shooting a wedding I have the flash
set at 5.6 and the camera set at 6.3 at about 8 to 10 feet from the couple
for full lengths, I have to move in to photograph their hands with rings, I
move in and change the f stop to 8.0 and shoot, then I have to shoot a small
group like the family I have to move back farther than the starting point of
8 feet I set them f stop to say 5.0 and shoot, I may have to open up the
camera to 4.5 if I have to move back far enough, and take advantage of the
LCD screen on the back of the camera, once you get used to looking at it you
will know what is a good exposure and what is not, there is a certain amount
of trial and error involved in learning what setting work best at what
distances, so go shoot and shoot and shoot, after all it is not costing you
any thing to experiment with digital, I am assuming the D70 is digital, I
use canons.
Hope this helps
Terry L. Mair
Mair's Photography
158 South 580 East
Midway, Utah 84049
435-654-3607
www.mairsphotography.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy A. Holmes (W8TAH)" <w8tah@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students"
<photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 7:08 AM
Subject: Need Help using a manual flash
Good Morning Everyone:
I have gotten a manual flash to use with my Nikon D70. Its a Sunpack 555
Thyristor unit, and I actually love it, however, I am not sure how to
properly use it. Getting it connected and making it fire is not the
issue, but rather how to effectively use it to take flash pictures. In
addition I have an optical slave which i can attach to an older Promaster
flash, and I would like to know how to use them together with the on
camera flash to the best advantage.
Specifically -- this weekend, I will be shooting individual and team
pictures of a group of 11 and 12 year olds at their baseball game. I am
suspecting that I am going to need some fill flash etc, and I want to do
this correctly.
Any help, or suggested readings etc would be greatly appreciated.
If you need to contact me directly with questions etc, you can reach me on
the list, at w8tah@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, via Yahoo IM at W8TAH, or via AOL IM
at W8TAHHAM
Thanks in advance for all your help
TIM
