flash usage and comments

[mok]

Hi guys,
i bought a vivitar 285 to go along with my S602 but i cant seem to get correct exposure using automatic modes. the colour modes.
i normally use a bounce card indoors. Is there any way around using it in manual mode using a bounce card by turing the dail and looking how many feet and stuff. its getting very frustrating using this flash.
when i turn it over to take protrait shots it seems so heavy that its like going to break the horseshoe. i think 285 is not a good flash to go with 602 users.. any comments?

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by mok Hi guys, i bought a vivitar 285 to go along with my S602 but i cant seem to get correct exposure using automatic modes. the colour modes. i normally use a bounce card indoors. Is there any way around using it in manual mode using a bounce card by turing the dail and looking how many feet and stuff. its getting very frustrating using this flash.

Frankly I don't even bother to look at the dial, normally I'll just put on the flash, set to 45-60degs, add bounce card, set camera aperture, set flash aperture dial to 1 step higher or so, take a couple of test shots and dial camera aperture to fine tune the exposure.

Quote: when i turn it over to take protrait shots it seems so heavy that its like going to break the horseshoe. i think 285 is not a good flash to go with 602 users.. any comments?

I've been saying this for a while. The Vivitar doesn't lend itself to portrait orientation on the 602(or any other camera). Not only is it too heavy, but it can't swivel and hence you will end up with harsh shadows on your subject since you can't bounce.

The Vivitar is extremely powerful for its price that's all.

[mok]

By turning the flash aperture dial, u mean u using manual mode right? like changing it from 1/16 to 1/8?
when i use auto mode and bounce, i get underexposed all the time.
if manual when do u know when to use 1/16,1/8,1/4,1/2?
in diff conditions, different exposure.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by mok By turning the flash aperture dial, u mean u using manual mode right? like changing it from 1/16 to 1/8? when i use auto mode and bounce, i get underexposed all the time. if manual when do u know when to use 1/16,1/8,1/4,1/2? in diff conditions, different exposure.

No. I'm not referring to manual mode. I've referring to AUTO mode still. However, when you bounce, you usually have to set to the next aperture range(i.e Red instead of Yellow) and adjust the aperture on the camera a little to fine tune.

Normally, once you've fined tuned the settings with a few test shots, you can go about shooting without worrying much about the exposure as long as the location/distance are relatively constant.

[mok]

looks funny if people see you taking test shots. hehe.
btw, custom white balance indoors using external flash is a must to prevent yr pics from becoming too orange right?
it always gives me over!, !under. so irritating. then fumbling with the grey cardboard looks so wierd.
didnt know 602 was so irritating with white balance. didnt thought it would be so serious.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by mok looks funny if people see you taking test shots. hehe. btw, custom white balance indoors using external flash is a must to prevent yr pics from becoming too orange right? it always gives me over!, !under. so irritating. then fumbling with the grey cardboard looks so wierd. didnt know 602 was so irritating with white balance. didnt thought it would be so serious.

1)Well, when you are familiar with it you can usually make do with 2 quick shots.

2)Custom white balance is a must, especially when you bounce.
Just set to a rather high aperture like f8 or f9 and it should be ok when taking the white balance.

[mok]

the bounce card i juz used a A4 foolscap paper backing.
must it be white or grey?
btw, realised using the 3mp pics look sharper then 6mp.

[Zerstorer]

Quote: Originally posted by mok the bounce card i juz used a A4 foolscap paper backing. must it be white or grey? btw, realised using the 3mp pics look sharper then 6mp.

The bounce card is supposed to be white, grey will not be able to relfect sufficient light. Just make sure you set custom white balance for any sort of flash photography.

3MP pics will look sharper on monitor because of the way images are displayed on monitor, downsize the 6MP to 3MP and it should look similar. If you ever decide to print a 8R shot you will find the 6MP one gives better details.

[mok]

thanks dude!
you are a great help!