TTL or manual

Nostromo

Nostromo

Suspended / Banned
Messages
6,236
Name
Dominic
Edit My Images
Yes
So I've decided to buy a speedlite after reading a thread on here.
I've watched many YouTube vids and there seems to be a many advocating using manual mode and not to use ETTL/TTL.
So my question is, is manual that hard to learn?
Is TTL not really as bad as is being made out?
I'll be using the flash mainly indoors for photographing flowers and may start trying a bit of portrait stuff.
 
My opinion for what its worth for the type of photography you are looking to do then there is not much point in TTL as you have time to change settings as you wish and will get more consistency.
TTL is great if you are doing fast moving work. I use it in sport where I have cylisdts or runners coming towards me and I move around myself so it takes that problem out of the equation.
Quite a few wedding photographers use TTL for the same reason.
However I am only just getting to grips with flash myself, I am sure a more expereienced person will be along shortly
 
When I have taught photography I always use the expression "get the shot you can then get the shot you want" - now many cameras actually have the ability to lock TTL flash exposures so it is becoming a bit more blurred but in essence I agree with what Steve has said, hence why I buy TTL but generally use on manual.

Mike
 
IMHO the distinction has always been simple. TTL for dynamic situations and Manual for static setups.

Manual is easy to learn with digital, a bit of chomping will get you there.

But to step back a bit. Like Mike I'd buy a TTL flashgun and TTL triggers too. They make manual settings easier to understand.
 
The benefit of TTL is that it handles variables outside of your control (i.e. changing light/distances/etc). The problem with TTL is that it introduces variables outside of your immediate control (i.e. flash metering/offsetting camera changes/etc).

IMO, neither is better or worse... nor "more difficult" to use really. For me, manual modes (flash and camera) are for when I have more time and more control where they can be "easier" exactly because they are "dumb." And they are my "fall back" for when something automated is giving me hassles and I cant figure out how to sort it at the moment.

If the only thing you are interested in is "static work," then buying manual only gear can provide a cost savings. But, for a first flash I always recommend a fully compatible TTL flash. IMO it's just silly to ignore those capabilities... you will probably have the occasion to want them eventually.
 
Last edited:
I think manual is good if you have a flash with a good manual control like a nissin i40 or fuji efx20 (although this is very small)
i used to have an old nikon sb24 flash and i seem to remember having to go into an LCD menu setting an press various buttons just to change the settings which was a faff but it was otherwise a good flash for about £30
i've not really used ttl but i'd imagine it would appeal to people who like automation and not having to worry about settings
 
Buy a TTL one, probably easier to use for a novice and you can always use it in manual once you get the hang of it all.not much cost difference if you go for something like the Youngno range.
 
boliston said:
i've not really used ttl but i'd imagine it would appeal to people who like automation and not having to worry about settings
Click to expand...

Also needed by many third party triggers such as Yongnuo 622 to set the manual level and experienced users know that actually you do need to set levels with TTL

Mike
 
Thanks for your replies. I was going to buy a yongnuo 685 or 600 that both have TTL, but just wanted to confirm that I wasn't going to waste money on something that doesn't do a good job (the TTL part).
I'm all for practicing to see how it works and what results i get with different settings. So I'm sure i will grasp manual in a shortish amount of time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top