Nikonians Articles
Resources to save time and money, reduce the pain and speed up the learning curve.
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Nikon WR-R10/T10 Radio Wireless Camera Controller Review
Jerry Harris (J_Harris)
A review on switching from the ML-3 Infrared Wireless Remote Control to the WR-R10/T10 Radio Wireless Controller which can be used for both your Nikon camera and Speedlights. Read more...

Which Nikon Speedlight Flash Unit Should You Select?
Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell)
Which Speedlight to select for which purpose plus tips & tricks regarding the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). Read more...

Camera & Flash Cookbook for Any Lighting Situation
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Don't you ever wish you could read all there is about your Camera and Flash lighting situations, all in one neat place? Reading this article will act as a "Cookbook" approach that should lead to excellent results. Read more...

Why use Camera Manual with Flash Indoors?
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Should you use your camera in Manual Mode when shooting flash in low ambient conditions? What is better than shooting Aperture priority? Here you'll find all the reasons as well as detailed images explaining various scenarios and showing the effects of Rear Sync vs. Front Sync when movement is involved in photographs. Read more...

Does moving the focus points affect flash power?
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
There have been several rumors made by experienced photographers stating that selecting different focus areas in the camera will change the place in the image that the flash meters from. This is not the way it works. Read more...

When is Full Power Flash not Full Power?
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
When you set your flash in Manual mode and full power, you expect to get a full power flash, right? Mwahaha, think again! Many of us will be surprised to learn that even with your flash in Manual Mode, it will not produce a full power of flash - there are restrictions. Find out why though. Read more...

Basics of Flash Brackets and Diffusers
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Diffusers and brackets? What do they do, and which ones are best to use? Well, both the bracket and the diffuser were introduced into photography to solve problems of the small flash. What's small flash, what problems do you face with it and how do you overcome it? Read more...

Nikon Speedlight A and AA Modes
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Find out all there is to know about working with Nikon Speedlight A and AA Modes. It may be difficult to differentiate between the two, but once you read Russ' article, you'll see how simple the concepts are. Learn when to use each of the modes best, and which modes suffer from the same problems as TTL. Read more...

Speedlight lighting distant object properly
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Ever run into a situation where you're fairly far from a subject who is in a dim ambient setting, and there is something closer to you that will affect the flash metering? It could be a bird, a plane!, a wall!?, a plant! Well, whatever it may be, guaranteed it will reflect the pre-flash pulses back to your camera, and your shot may not look as you'd have wanted it to. Read more...

Auto FP High Speed Sync Explained
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
One of the most confusing aspects of the Nikon flash system is this thing called 'Auto FP High Speed Sync'. And before you can understand FP High Speed Sync, you first need to understand what FP means and how the Normal Flash Sync works. This article will hopefully clear up the mystery about this mode! Read more...

Speedlight TTL and TTL-BL - Distance and Subject Positioning
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
So! You've read nearly as much theory as possible and seen some on hand workflows as to how one operates Flashes with their DSLRs. However, let's have a more practical study to see for certain how TTL and TTL-BL work with respect to the off-center subjects and distances that you use. All you Wedding Photographers out there, this is your article to read. Read more...

How The Built-In Flash Metering Works
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
How do built-in flashes work on your Nikon? It might be a simple thought, overlooked, but at the same time, understanding its true functions and capabilities is what really enhances not only your photography skills, but your overall outcome of you taking photographs. See for yourself and be at ease knowing you've got yet another how-to under your belt! Read more...

How to Shoot Large Groups with Nikon CLS
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Trying to achieve accurate focus on a specific point in your photos? What settings are you using, and are they the best option? With so many modes to choose from, learn a few tips and tricks about AF-S mode in Release Priority, AF-ON, AF-S mode, and more! Read more...

Sequence of Events for TTL Flash
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
There are several conditions we are faced when using TTL Flash, and some are not so familiar, while others make for easier use. What takes place in: Flash in a Hotshoe, or Remote Wireless Flash? Which sequence is better to use when. Read more...

A Study on Camera Compensation when using Flash in TTL Mode
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
The SB-800 Flash Instruction Manual (as all the manuals for iTTL capable Nikon speedlights) says that when using the flash in TTL mode, adjusting Camera Compensation will lighten or darken the entire image, which means it must increase or decrease flash power, so let's find out for certain, what takes place and examine through various conditions that we'd all use in our photography! Read more...

How does Flash Value Lock work?
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Flash Value Lock is used to make sure the subject is exposed properly by the flash. Knowing key features and the many useful shooting scenarios make all the difference when using this in photography. What about those fast blinkers in your shots? All your questions answered here, just Read more...

Nikon TTL-BL Flash
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
How does Nikon's TTL-BL mode work? Which camera mode is best to shoot fill flash? What about the coupling between the camera's metering system and the flash metering systems? Read more...

Nikon TTL Flash Metering System
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
Did you know that the Nikon TTL Flash Metering System is not actively coupled to the Camera metering system? They use the same metering sensor in the camera, but act independently. Find out what else is important that isn't always documented, and learn the tricks of the trade! Read more...

Nikon Flash - Two Separate Metering Systems
Russ MacDonald (Arkayem)
In a series of articles - Nikon CLS Practical Guide, you'll have an in depth view of Separating Metering Systems, TTL Flash Metering System, TTL-BL Flash, and more. Learning to adjust different backgrounds at will, especially with Flash Photography can be complex. However, a few concepts, tips & tricks, and with plenty of practice, you'll be a pro in no time! Let's read the first, in multi-part installment. Read more...

Balancing Ambient Light with Flash
User
I've got an understanding of apparent light size. I know what happens when I change the distance between my light source, my subject and my background. And I've moved through diffuse and direct reflections. Now it's time to get into some of the practical aspects of flash photography, and there's no place better to start than balancing ambient light with flash. Read more...
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