Why doesnt my cameras light meter compinsate for my external

**djnarush** · 03-03-2006, 07:20 PM

ok, i tried flash photography at a museum yesturday... and though the camera made adjustments, the exposure meter would not compinsate.
i would have to fire a few shots before i got the correct exposure.....
is it me? my camera?

D50 speed light 600

is this nikon speed light not compatible with my camera?

eh, i would just like to be able to get a good pic with out firing like 6 or 7 test shots

**brucep** · 03-05-2006, 08:41 PM

I'd try some controlled experiments at home, DJ. In light similar to the museum, try available light (no flash, using tripod) and see if your metering & f-stop/shutterspeed variations work. If not your trouble's nothing to do with flash. Then try your built-in flash (at a non-reflective angle). Is your trouble with flash synch? Then plug in the external flash (being sure you're shooting within flash synch speed). Let us know the results of your experimentation.

I'm sure some of the Nikon users here can be of more help.

**djnarush** · 03-06-2006, 01:06 PM

actually, i went back and did some reading, and a few test shots..
turns out, with shooting "M" with the D50 with flash, the exposure meter does NOT compinsate..
BUT, in shooting "A" and "S", its not 100% but the camera does adjust.

i knew flash photography would be tricky
:P

ill just have to practice thats all

**Landis** · 03-06-2006, 01:28 PM

I guess we all have our ways of using flash. On my Canon, I stick my EX-540 (old model) on there with a Sto-Fen plastic. I put the camera on Program Mode, set the flash for -1/3 stop compensation and shoot. I get great exposures all the time. Pretty simple no fuss method. Why try to complicate something when the companies do all they can to automate the process? Just my 2¢ worth.

**djnarush** · 03-06-2006, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Landis

I guess we all have our ways of using flash. On my Canon, I stick my EX-540 (old model) on there with a Sto-Fen plastic. I put the camera on Program Mode, set the flash for -1/3 stop compensation and shoot. I get great exposures all the time. Pretty simple no fuss method. Why try to complicate something when the companies do all they can to automate the process? Just my 2¢ worth.

do you compensate for distance? my sb 600 has a zoom. So my 50mm D lens sends a signal to the flash on suject distance. which i think is cool.
i just figure, i need practice as with every other technique used for photography

**brucep** · 03-06-2006, 01:43 PM

I let my E-TTL flash do the thinking for the flash part of the exposure (exposing my subject well), but I use M (manual) and select an f-stop/shuterspeed combination which will expose more of the background than the flash will reach.

My 580EX does a pre-flash (to calculate the amount of light it'll have to send to light the subject), so if I'm doing candids, I use "first curtain" where the flash fires as soon as the shutter opens (almost instantly after the pre-flash), to avoid confusing my subjects.

If I want realistic traffic streaks (for instance) behind my subject, I'll use "second curtain" where the flash fires at the END of the shutter being open and I'll let the subject in on the mechanics of it: "The pre-flash will go off, and the camera's taking the photo until you see the 'real' flash." This way the lights seem to trail off behind a car rather than preceding it.

**Landis** · 03-06-2006, 01:52 PM

Nope, the E-TTL dose all the calculations for me. I use my flash so seldom, I'm not expert at different things, but it does everything I need it to do.