af500ftz bounce flash shadow
Posted 02/06/2004 - 20:59
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I don't think the shadow problem is specific to the flash model (or camera); you will experience the same result with any flash/camera combination.
You will always get a bit of shadow unless you use a big softbox (not practicable on a 500FTZ!).
What you need to do is experiment, and of course that is far easier with a digital. If you can find a secondhand digital with a hot shoe that would be great.
If not, then you'll just have to burn some film. Try different zoom settings (less power, better diffusion, on wide-angle setting), different bounce reflectors (walls, ceilings, mirrors, whatever - the greater the distance the greater the diffusion, but the less power). Try a silk handkerchief over the flash. Try a Stofen diffuser (if there is one to fit the 500). Try a Lumiquest diffuser.
If all these fail, don't spend millions on expensive flash units. Use one or two cheap no-name flashguns with slave triggers pointing either at the background, or bouncing, or direct with a diffuser.
Lighting is a complex subject, and there is endless opportunity for experimentation. At the end of the day, however, the best results come from proper studio kit, and if studio work is what appeals to you, flog the 500 and invest in two second-hand studio flash units with softboxes.
And, if you have a controlled environment, and a flash meter (or digicam), forget program settings and use manual. Cameras aren't quite as smart as they think they are, especially when it come to flash.
And finally, two (or more) light sources are (almost always) better than one.
You will always get a bit of shadow unless you use a big softbox (not practicable on a 500FTZ!).
What you need to do is experiment, and of course that is far easier with a digital. If you can find a secondhand digital with a hot shoe that would be great.
If not, then you'll just have to burn some film. Try different zoom settings (less power, better diffusion, on wide-angle setting), different bounce reflectors (walls, ceilings, mirrors, whatever - the greater the distance the greater the diffusion, but the less power). Try a silk handkerchief over the flash. Try a Stofen diffuser (if there is one to fit the 500). Try a Lumiquest diffuser.
If all these fail, don't spend millions on expensive flash units. Use one or two cheap no-name flashguns with slave triggers pointing either at the background, or bouncing, or direct with a diffuser.
Lighting is a complex subject, and there is endless opportunity for experimentation. At the end of the day, however, the best results come from proper studio kit, and if studio work is what appeals to you, flog the 500 and invest in two second-hand studio flash units with softboxes.
And, if you have a controlled environment, and a flash meter (or digicam), forget program settings and use manual. Cameras aren't quite as smart as they think they are, especially when it come to flash.
And finally, two (or more) light sources are (almost always) better than one.
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37 posts
22 years
Bangalore India