Nikon FE-2 + SB 23 what setting shall I use?

[yourcontact]

Hi there,

I bought a SB 23 for my Nikon FE-2. I had a look at the SB 23 and Nikon FE-2 instruction manuals and it is still unclear to me what setting I should use when using my SB 23 in TTL mode with my FE-2

In the FE-2 manual, it says to set the camera on shutter speed aperture priority (A) or 1/125 sec. when using a Nikon flash.

In the SB 23 instruction manual it says that with the FE2 camera, the shutter speed is fixed at 1/250 sec..

Shall I, when using the SB 23 with the FE2, turn on the flash on TTL, set the shutter speed on 1/125 sec. or A and set the aperture according to the "aperture/shooting distance range label"?

Also, when I set the FE2 on A or 1/250 sec., the information the exposure meter in the view finder displays is the same whether I turn on the flash or not. What is confusing me is that the exposure meter in the view finder seems not to take into account the fact that the flash is turned on. Is this normal?

I would appreciate if someone could shed light on this.

Thank you.

 

[yourcontact]

Bump

 

[mustanir]

The exposure meter will not take into account the flash.
Set your shutter speed to your max. sync speed (probably 1/125 but you can check this, might be 1/250) or slower and away you go. Let the flash do the heavy lifting. The slower the shutter speed, the more ambient (non-flash) exposure you get (which gives you a more natural look) but with increased chance of motion blur. Your choice of aperture will affect how much work the flash has to do as well, wider apertures being more friendly on the flash unit.

 

[Carl V]

With the FE2, you can either set the shutter speed at 1/250 (or a slower speed), or leave the dial set on 'A'. On the SB-23 (I'm not 100% familiar with this particular flash), I don't think there are any auto settings like other flash units - only TTL and Manual.

If this is the case, then you can set the flash for TTL and set your aperture according to the distance range you're going to be working at. I imagine there should be a distance scale either on the flash unit itself, or in your instructions. Also bear in mind that your aperture & distance settings will vary according to the film speed as well.

 

[yourcontact]

Thanks to both of you for the explanation. I will try that this week end!

If this is the case, then you can set the flash for TTL and set your aperture according to the distance range you're going to be working at. I imagine there should be a distance scale either on the flash unit itself, or in your instructions. Also bear in mind that your aperture & distance settings will vary according to the film speed as well.

Yes, there is a label on the flash unit showing the combination of film speed, distance and aperture to use.