How-to's

Using Nikon flash, indoor and outdoors

Keywords: flash, speedlights, sb_28, su_4, studio, lighting, filter, guides, tips, nikon, f100, film, cls, teddy

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The Nikon Speedlights flash system is a wonderful tool. Notwithstanding, new users seem disconcerted with the names, descriptions and instructions to use it, not to mention how to use it well. Most feel a visual demonstration is imperative, so here it is. In this article you will find many samples images of using Speedlights under various conditions, indoors and outdoors.

We have many Speedlight resources here at Nikonians, such as this overview which you may find helpful. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in our Speedlights forum where a lot of conversations and insight on Nikon flashes is being shared.

F100 with SB-28 on hot shoe at left. Second SB-28 on SU-4 at right.

All tests were performed with a Nikon F100 camera on a sturdy tripod with a pro ballhead, SB-28 speedlights, AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D ED Zoom Nikkor with 81A filter from 8.8 feet (2.7 meters) at 70mm focal length, shot on Fujichrome Provia 100F Professional (RDPIII).

When a diffusor was used it was the Sto-Fen^® Omni-Bounce^®

Slides were digitized on a Nikon Coolscan IV ED scanner, without any alteration to color, curves or anything else, except for a slight unsharp mask performed equally on all enlargements.

The teddy bears, preferred subject for this kind of tests due to their non reflective "fur", borrowed from my grandchildren, at their play room.

(1) Control picture without flash, overhead ceiling quartz lights Exposure: 1/8 sec f/2.8 Camera settings for this entire test roll: Program mode: P (except when noted) Metering mode: Matrix First conclusion: the bears and the chair scream for thorough spring cleaning.
(2) Flash: on hot shoe Flash head: straight into subjects Flash settings: TTL + Matrix Flash compensation: + 0.3 Exposure: 1/60 sec, f/4 Result: a bit harsh light, but evenly distributed, including the brown bear chest.
(3) Flash on bracket, above the lens Flash head: at 45 degrees upwards, white card out to bounce some light straight into subjects. Flash settings: TTL + Matrix Flash compensation: + 0.3 Exposure: 1/60 sec, f/4 Result: softer, more depth, cleaner whites, not enough light in the chest of the brown bear. Fortunately most of our subjects don't have that nose.