Overexpose issue when using flash

[orionct]

Hi photography buddies,

Just need some advice here when using flash.
I bought a SB900 flash for my Nikon D90, but when i use it, the shutter speed tend to go "HI" mode and then the photo turn out to be overexposed.
Then i try to use manual mode for flash to adjust it to 1/8 power but seem like still not working.

Did i set something wrong? Seem like the flash keep making my photo overexpose...:dunno:

Thanks for your help and advice !

 

[geraldkhoo]

Hi photography buddies,

Just need some advice here when using flash.
I bought a SB900 flash for my Nikon D90, but when i use it, the shutter speed tend to go "HI" mode and then the photo turn out to be overexposed.
Then i try to use manual mode for flash to adjust it to 1/8 power but seem like still not working.

Did i set something wrong? Seem like the flash keep making my photo overexpose...:dunno:

Thanks for your help and advice !

There is not enough info here to help you troubleshoot... off my head, I'd ask the following...

On the camera:
1. What mode are you using (e.g. A, S, M, P, etc.), and what is the amount set (e.g. A mode at f/1.8)
2. What is the ISO amount
3. What is the EV amount

On the flash:
1. What mode are you using (e.g. TTL, TTL-BL, A, etc.)
2. What is the flash EV amount

Others:
1. Is the flash mounted on the camera hotshoe or are you using CLS?

When all else fails, reset the flash to factory default, and your camera to AUTO and test.

 

[boonsong]

Hi photography buddies,

Just need some advice here when using flash.
I bought a SB900 flash for my Nikon D90, but when i use it, the shutter speed tend to go "HI" mode and then the photo turn out to be overexposed.
Then i try to use manual mode for flash to adjust it to 1/8 power but seem like still not working.

Did i set something wrong? Seem like the flash keep making my photo overexpose...:dunno:

Thanks for your help and advice !

if you don't mind, show us the picture in question.

 

[zac08]

Hi photography buddies,

Just need some advice here when using flash.
I bought a SB900 flash for my Nikon D90, but when i use it, the shutter speed tend to go "HI" mode and then the photo turn out to be overexposed.
Then i try to use manual mode for flash to adjust it to 1/8 power but seem like still not working.

Did i set something wrong? Seem like the flash keep making my photo overexpose...:dunno:

Thanks for your help and advice !

What is your camera shooting mode?

You may need to reduce the flash ev instead of shooting just in manual mode if you don't know how to calculate the amount of power needed.

Sometimes, you may need as low as 1/64 or even lower.

 

[orionct]

hi,

I tried to use Aperture mode does not work and then try manual mode too also does not work.
I tried Manual as well as TTL mode on the flash as well.
Attached is one of the photo i tried and overexpose. I really not sure what happen.
ISO: 200, EV: 0, A: 2 - the full details are below.

Date Dec 30, 2010 8:33:29 AM
Width 680
Height 1024
File Size 103101
Camera NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D90
ISO 200
Exposure 1/200 sec
Aperture 2.0
Focal Length 50mm
Flash Used true
Orientation 0
White Balance 0
Metering Mode 5
Exposure Program 3
Exposure Bias 0.0
Date and Time (Original) 2010:12:30 16:33:29
Color Space 1
X-Resolution 300.0
Y-Resolution 300.0
Resolution Unit 2
Software Picasa 3.0
Date and Time 2010:12:30 16:33:29
YCbCr Positioning 2
Date and Time (Digitized) 2010:12:30 16:33:29
Compressed Bits Per Pixel 2.0
Max Aperture 1.6
Light Source 0
Subject Time 00
Sub Sec Time (Original) 00
Sub Sec Time (Digitized) 00
Sensing Method 2
Custom Rendered 0
Exposure Mode 0
Digital Zoom Ratio 1.0
Focal Length (in 35mm film) 75
Scene Capture Type 0
Gain Control 0
Contrast 0
Saturation 0
Sharpness 0
Subject Distance Range 0
Interoperability Index R98

 

[eleveninth]

ISO 200
Aperture f2.0

..... flash power 1/8.

in the day.

of course over exposed.

 

[GRbenji]

Looking at your photo, don't think overexposure due to flash but more of a metering issue.

 

[catchlights]

FYI, at that kind of lighting situation, with or without flash, your photo is already overexposed with the exposure setting you used, problem is not on the flash, but the one using it.

if you want to use wide open aperture, you need to increase your shutter speed....

Ever heard about Hi-speed (FP) Flash Synchronization mode before?
read your camera/flash user manual to find out more.

 

[Zahne]

Is ya flash facing up? If yes, then the shutter speed will cap at 1/200 if u are on aperture mode. Turn down to enable hss

 

[Squid]

... SB900 flash for my Nikon D90, .... the shutter speed tend to go "HI" mode and then the photo turn out to be overexposed. ....

Model NIKON D90
ISO 200
Exposure 1/200 sec
Aperture 2.0
Focal Length 50mm
Flash Used true

... Hi-speed (FP) Flash Synchronization mode ...

When camera showing "HI" shutter speed, it means that camera requires faster shutter speed than it possibly can or permitted to do so. In this case, it is likely that the camera is constrained by setting e5:Auto FP discussed on page 195 of camera manual. For D90 camera, shutter speed is limited to 1/200 when e5 setting is activated.

Based on posted picture, TTL-BL setting on the flash coupled with camera setting to allow faster shutter speed (in this case, faster than 1/200 seconds speed) will allow one to get properly exposed picture.

 

[catchlights]

When camera showing "HI" shutter speed, it means that camera requires faster shutter speed than it possibly can or permitted to do so. In this case, it is likely that the camera is constrained by setting e5:Auto FP discussed on page 195 of camera manual. For D90 camera, shutter speed is limited to 1/200 when e5 setting is activated.

Based on posted picture, TTL-BL setting on the flash coupled with camera setting to allow faster shutter speed (in this case, faster than 1/200 seconds speed) will allow one to get properly exposed picture.

how come the other way round? you confuse me...
for Custom setting E5: Auto FP, the default setting is OFF, once enable it will be able to sync beyond 1/200s.

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/noprint/D90_ennoprint.pdf

 

[orionct]

Is ya flash facing up? If yes, then the shutter speed will cap at 1/200 if u are on aperture mode. Turn down to enable hss

Does it really matter whether the flash face up or down ?

how come the other way round? you confuse me...
for Custom setting E5: Auto FP, the default setting is OFF, once enable it will be able to sync beyond 1/200s.

http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/noprint/D90_ennoprint.pdf

I think you are right, to turn on the Auto will enable higher shutter speed when using optional flash unit.

Thanks a lot for all the brothers whom provide valuable information!
I think my problem has been solved due to not turning on the Auto FP mode.