What mode is best to use?

[steve001]

Hi all,

I have just got my first lighting kit to persue my desire to improve my potraits, its only the entry level interfit 150mkII but got to start somewere!
My question is what mode to use ? my favourite mode is AV but in the tutorial dvd it tells me to set camera in M @ iso 100 with a shutter speed of 1/125 however when testing this tonight the exposure meter is off the scale due to low light levels in my lounge, any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[Garry Edwards]

The DVD is right, set it up as suggested.
When you say that the exposure meter is off the scale I'm guessing that you're talking about the one built into your camera?
Ignore it, it doesn't work with studio flash. For flash, you use a flash meter or you manage without one and do it by trial and error.

I suggest that you try something like f/8 as a starping point, then just adjust the aperture until you're getting some kind of result. The exposure is controlled only by the aperture, the shutter speed doesn't make any difference.
In theory, you can also adjust the power on your lights but I recommend that you leave your Interfit lights at full power or something close to it, the results will be more consistent.

 

[steve001]

The DVD is right, set it up as suggested.
When you say that the exposure meter is off the scale I'm guessing that you're talking about the one built into your camera?
Ignore it, it doesn't work with studio flash. For flash, you use a flash meter or you manage without one and do it by trial and error.

I suggest that you try something like f/8 as a starping point, then just adjust the aperture until you're getting some kind of result. The exposure is controlled only by the aperture, the shutter speed doesn't make any difference.
In theory, you can also adjust the power on your lights but I recommend that you leave your Interfit lights at full power or something close to it, the results will be more consistent.

Thanks Gary, yes it was the on camera exp meter, great, now I can practice with a clear mind, and I also guess it would be a good investment to get a light meter.

Steve

 

[HoppyUK]

How are you triggering the lights Steve?

If you haven't got some form of wireless triggering system, you'll need to connect the sync cable supplied via a hot-shoe adapter. Sorry if you're ahead of me on this

Use manual as suggested. 1/125sec at f/8 ISO100 is a good starting point, although the shutter speed has no effect on the flash exposure, so long as you don't go over the max x-sync speed (1/200sec on your camera).

Shoot a test pic and see what you've got exposure-wise, then either adjust the f/number, or the ISO, or the power of the lights to get it right. Leave the shutter speed fixed.

You don't need a flash meter for simple set ups - just work off the LCD image, with highlight over-exposure warning enabled (blinkies), and the histogram. When using two lights, set them up and adjust the exposure for each one separately, so that you can balance the relative levels more easily. A flash meter will make life easier with two or more lights, but not essential.