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Re: Beach shots... SUnny day with flash
Old 09-26-2006, 11:39 PM   #6 (permalink)
mcherry
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhotoDave
That makes sense to me. So let me ask you this.... I'm using an SB-800, If I've got the Aperture and shutter set where I want, How do I confiugre the flash? It seems as though I would *have* to use a flash meter or am I missing something? Thanks for your help.
A flash meter is the best way. If you don't have one on had you can spot meter your subject using your camera's meter as you normally would or use the guide number as Chip said. Not sure what camera you're using but if you have the SB-800 you might have high-sync flash available to you (I can with my D2x) which will eliminate the necessity of an ND filter. To be honest, the only time I've needed and ND filter is when trying to overpower the sun around mid-day with a porty unit that I can only sync up to 250. For sunsets (those last few moments before the sun dips below the horizon) it's never been a problem. No if you use an external flash (such as I did in the first sunset pic I posted, I used a Ring Flash) then a meter is pretty essential.

[EDIT: I just realized I didn't answer your question, I set my SB-600 manually]
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