Flash: TTL, Manual or Lesson

[aces_up1504]

I bought my wife a Lumix G2 and then later on an older safe voltage flash.

She has not really got on with it, and want a flash with TTL. Was thinking of one of the metz models.

But my question is if she wants to do bounce or off camera stuff, does that make the TTL useless?

I am better buying a new "better" flash or getting her a "lesson" in flash photography?

 

[Steve Smith]

But my question is if she wants to do bounce or off camera stuff, does that make the TTL useless?

No.

TTL means Through The Lens. The camera meters the light put out by the flash as it enters the lens so if you use bounce flash, it will compensate for the loss of light by cutting off thye flash later. i.e forcing the flash to put out more light.


Steve.

 

[Phil V]

To add to the above, my rule of thumb is:

If the subject distance is dynamic, TTL
if the subject distance is controllable, Manual is just as easy and more predictable.

Still though, the most important thing to learn about flash, same as natural light, amount (exposure) is the easy bit and just gives you a 'correct' shot, good photos are about the quality of the light.

 

[aces_up1504]

Cheers for the replies.

Any idea on which Metz model should suit a newcomer but also last as she becomes better.

I was thinking of either the Metz 48 or 50, or would be lower end models be suitable?

 

[G.K.Jnr.]

Cheers for the replies.

Any idea on which Metz model should suit a newcomer but also last as she becomes better.

I was thinking of either the Metz 48 or 50, or would be lower end models be suitable?

Hi, If your wife is thinking of using the flash unit for bounce work etc it's better to get something more powerful as a lot of output is lost when using it this way.

Remenber you can always cut the power of the flash in several ways but if it's not powerful enough in the first place then there is very little you can do.

Hope this helps.

 

[aces_up1504]

Thanks, bought a Metz 48 af-1