Any of you photographers use external flash indoors?

[edro]

I have a Digital Rebel (300D). I never have liked using the flash at all, but in some indoor situations, you need to (can't afford L Series glass).

I have a cheap external flash that I play with every now and then, but it doesn't seem any better than the built in flash.

Anyone here have much experience with external flashes? I find flash to be too harsh and bright. Should I use a flash diffuser?

Would a Canon Speedlite flash and a diffuser work well for indoor portraits? (family get togethers and stuff)

 

[Kelemvor]

I have a Sunpak but i don't remember the model. Haven't used it much yet but my wife takes lots of pictures at weddings and such where it's in a big room with not much lighting and the built-in flash isn't powerful enough.

I have to get the book out one of these days to learn how to really use the thing.

 

[NutBucket]

I'm very impressed with the speedlight 420EX I have. Granted I shoot film (Elan 7N) but the results from my friend's 20D with the same flash are excellent; no overexposure to speak of and quite natural lighting IMHO. If anything the E-TTL tends to underexpose things a bit so you'll probably find you want to dial in some exposure compensation.

 

[NogginBoink]

Flashes can REALLY help to evenly illuminate a scene, even if there's plenty of ambient light. The flash can cut down on shadows.

Try bouncing the flash of the ceiling; that will diffuse the light and you can get some great shots that way.

One of the benefits of even the cheapest external flashes is simply that your camera's batteries don't get drained charging that big ol capacitor and you can take more pictures.

 

[edro]

Are there settings on the camera to tell the camera I am using an external flash? It seems like in Aperature Priority Mode, it sets the shutter speed to what it reads with the light sensor, but still uses the external flash, so it is extremely over exposed.

In other modes though, like the Green Automatic mode, it seems to work fine.

I think I need to get an E-TTL flash.

 

[NutBucket]

Get an E-TTL flash and stay away from the green mode At least use P, sheesh!

Text

BTW, the swivel head will allow you to use bounce very nicely. Even at the auto show last year I was using a lot of bounce to avoid reflections from the cars.

 

[edro]

I wonder if I could just go buy one of those Canon flashes to play with, then take it back if I don't like it...

I might actually do that, I just hate taking things back that I purchased.

 

[NutBucket]

Best Buy should have them.

 

[Anubis]

i use my SB-800 indoors when i need to, in TTL mode or balanced TTL it generally does a fine job when bounced in one way or another, it also came with a diffuser dome which works also, you can buy attachments for like 20$, the Omnibounce is a better directional bounce, and the omnidiffuser turns your flash into a big soft box

 

[edro]

Anyone have any sample pics using an omnidiffuser?

 

[Gand1]

Go grab a 420ex from Beast Buy, it's like $150 bucks. It's what I use on my Canon DR as well. I also have an extention cord for the flash (the remote was insanely expensive) for doing some lighting tricks. Also some decent camera shops have a (i forget the brand right now) little bag of flip out diffusers and reflector panels. Great buy for $30!

Get away from the green mode and learn how to use your camera!!! Lazy A$$! j/k

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: edro
Anyone have any sample pics using an omnidiffuser?

not the omnidiffuser but this is what the nikons included ones looks like, the omni is just bigger and prob does a better job

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/displayimage.php?album=20&pos=14

these 2 galleries were all shot with the flash and the diffuser IIRC, diffuser may have been off for some

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=19

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=21

 

[edro]

Haha, I knew I shouldn't have said anything about the Green mode. I don't use it, I strictly use Aperature mode and Manual mode, I just was testing it with my flash to see if it handeled it any differently.

Thank you guys for the tips and the photos.

 

[toekramp]

i just got the 580EX...haven't had time to really get to use it yet, but am looking forward to it

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: edro
Anyone have any sample pics using an omnidiffuser?

not the omnidiffuser but this is what the nikons included ones looks like, the omni is just bigger and prob does a better job

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/displayimage.php?album=20&pos=14

these 2 galleries were all shot with the flash and the diffuser IIRC, diffuser may have been off for some

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=19

http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=21

Is the diffuser you are using just a "milky" plastic diffuser that covers the flash?

Thanks!

 

[Anubis]

yea, the omni one isnt much different

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/BR1851...?ac.cat.CatTree.detail=y&type=PRDINDEX

 

[alrocky]

http://www.lumiquest.com/index.htm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=655
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show...1&si=&perpage=24&sort=7&cat=30&ppuser=

You need a decent flash. Consider the Sigma EF 500 DG Super or the Canon 580ex or 430ex (replaces the 420ex). You probably want to bounce the flash, not diffuse it. Something like the LumiQuest ProMax ($40 @ B&H) which has inserts which provide a larger light source (than direct flash) or can be used as their "80-20".

"Our 80-20 incorporates ceiling bounce into the process by bouncing 80% of the light off the ceiling which becomes a new, larger light source coming from a more natural direction. The 20% fill is then directed back into the subject to help fill shadows cast by the ceiling bounce."