to TTL or not to TTL?

[meatcandy89]

So ive not really done any photography indoors yet, still trying to find my way a little bit with which direction to take. Having done Mainly sports outdoors ive had no need for flash.

The time has come im experimenting a little more and looking at investing in a little speedlite.

The Yongnuo YN560 II looks like a pretty nifty/ well piced unit but it has no TTL for my nikon d300.

Ive read a few people saying that when first learning to use flash i shouldnt be using TTL anyway to get a full understanding of how to use the flash properly.

This being said, would i be better off with a different unit or would it ultimatlely teach me a bit more to not get a unit with TTL?

I'd like to be able to use the flash for a variety of things, im currently doing some photos for a local crossfit gym which is very dark and gloomy so would have a good place to test it out

Thanks in advance
T

 

[Stevenuth]

I've got an sb800 but use my yongnuo more as I like the simplicity of manual power adjustment. I just turn it up and down or move it closer or further away. Well worth buying the budget one and get it off camera with the yongnuo triggers/receivers. Search for them on Flickr there's lots of great work with them!

 

[nigelbb]

If you have time to adjust the flash & take the shot again then manual is fine. If you get one chance at the shot then TTL can be the safe bet.

 

[orangeframestudio]

If the distance between the flash and the subject is constantly changing, (which assume would be the case with a gym) then id suggest ttl would be pretty handy.

Unless you're keen to get into serious strobist stuff, and main use is indoors with a d300, I'd seriously suggest a sb600 or 700, 800 or 900, dependant on budget. Cls and ttl are great tools to have.

It's good to learn manual, but bouncing a sb600 off a ceiling or wall, off cam in ttl and p mode, will get you great results too, without any learning.

 

[EdMoss]

Only use TTL very occasionally when shooting outdoors with on camera flash (Royal visit type of stuff)

Manual for everything else, it's as quick, more controllable and importantly more reliable than TTL.
You will soon get to know 1/4 power means put flash approx 2-3m away for example.