Tech Blog

[#1]

There is nothing more frustrating than a slow flash.  A professional photographer may have the time and patience to wait for the perfect shot, but the rest of us need to take a picture NOW!

Almost every digital camera has some kind of a built in flash.  That flash is bright, but usually produces a very harsh picture.

For example, this picture of me was taken in a ski lodge in Tremblant, Quebec after a long day using the flash built into the Nikon D5100.

Notice the weird whitish/bluish colour that makes any human way too bright compared to the rest of the picture.

This is the exact same camera with the same settings, but using a proper flash.

In this picture, the colours are far more natural and realistic.  The lighting comes from using a flash that has the ability to bounce light off of the roof or a wall.  Bouncing the light removes any harsh shadows and produces a far more natural photograph.

The flash being used is the Nikon Speedlight SB-910.  This flash is a pretty hefty device but it does an amazing job.

Fortunately for us, this flash lives up to the name Speedlight.  The 4 AA batteries take up a lot of space and add a lot of weight, but the flash charges instantly and can take flash multiple times.

Looking at the back of the Speedlight could cause some people to panic.  The controls provide endless possibilities to tweak the flash to get the desired effect but give the feeling of needing a diploma in photography to operate.  Luckily, a default mode that analyses the scene through the lens of the camera does all of the work for you.

The cost of this type of flash is a barrier.  These flashes typically start around $400 and go up rapidly.  Add to that a true DSLR camera with lens and the overall package is well over $1,000.  Such a cost pushes these products beyond a simple cameara to grab a quick photo.  These tools are for those that want to preserve a moment exactly the way that it happened like that trip of a lifetime or a special reunion.

The flash can rotate and tilt the head in any direction.  A nice surprise is an additional built-in defusor and bounce sheet.  These two extra tools come in handy when needing a quick shot under conditions that aren't ideal.

Overall, the Speedlight SB-910 is a great flash.  If you are willing to spend the money plus can accommodate the extra space and weight you will be rewarded with significantly better pictures.

** Editor's note: keep your eyes on futureshop.ca, we'll be carrying the Speedlight SB-910 very soon!

[#2]

While others believe in “natural lighting”, I too say invest in the SB-910 and really watch your pictures improve.

• cheaper than most f/2.8 of faster lenses
• eliminates telephoto lens shadows from built in flashes
• your images are brighter and sharper as you can use higher shutter speeds
• corrects white balance issues by overpowering other light sources
• opens up many opportunities when there’s not enough light, or the light is in the wrong position (eg the sun is behind the subject

Some tips

• consider a diffuser to soften the light further, I like “Mega Flip-It”
• consider the SD-9 or Quantum external pack for quicker recycling.  Great for weddings when you need want that bouquet in the air!
• use rechargeable AA’s like Eneloops to save money
• consider a flash bracket to avoid side shadows when taking portrait orientations.  My favourite are Custom Bracket’s rotation models
• good flash technique is to minimize shadows behind the subject, yes bounce is good technique

Yes the SB910 cost more, but it’s worth it.

• more durable when dropped
• motorized mirrors in the flash head to concentrate the light without needing external fresnel lenses
• thermo protection to prevent heat damage, especially with a lot of bounce lighting

BTW... Did you know the SB-910 can be used wirelessly detached from the camera.  It’s part of the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS).