Off camera flash question

J

JBuk

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Im currently playing around with an sb700 and using a d600 with on board flash to trigger it off camera.

My question is, when flashes are being used off camera what should the zoom factor of the flashes be set at?

I've found the Nikon CLS doesn't control the flashes zoom
 
Doesn't it depend on the focal length of the lens you're using? That's what I set mine to and it seems to work.
 
It's almost impossible to say. It would depend on subject distance, type of modifier and the result you wanted.
 
I think it's just a case of what you want to achieve. Zoom the flash for a tighter beam of light and go wide for more spread. Worth remembering that the zoom will default to its widest setting if you have the diffusion dome attached as there is a little micro switch on the SB700.
 
Thanks for the replies

I did kind of think this would be one of those questions with no definitive answer , I guess it will all be down to experience and seeing what works and what doesn't

I thought there may be some kind of rule of thumb though, I guess I might just start off by placing the flash roughly the same distance away from the camera and then using whatever lens focal length I have and set the same on the flash and go from there heh! I'm sure it will all become clearer with plenty of practice
 
You should remember that your flashgun is the only type of flash with a zooming head. It's there for when the flash is mounted on the camera to provide the most efficient use of it's limited power. So it only lights the amount of the scene your camera lens can 'see'.

As soon as you tilt the head to bounce it - all bets are off. It no longer knows what it's spread of light will look like, so it zooms to a safe angle. The same is true when you remove it from the camera.

Just bear in mind that the most expensive and efficient flashes (built for studio) don't have zooming heads. Once you're off camera and using modifiers, just leave the zoom where it's put itself, all your adjustments will be made with the modifiers and subject distance, playing with your zoom is adding needless complication.
 
Thanks for the help I'll just concentrate on everything else and leave the flash zoom alone unless I notice it affecting anything heh
 
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