Fill Flash = Flash Exposure Compensation?

[rgs]

Am I right in assuming the way to get a D60 to fill at -1 is to use flash exposure compensation? Or does that just underexpose both the flash and ambient light by 1 stop?

Thanks
RGS

[laimis.s]

the FEC is Flash Exposure Compensation, so by changing it you only change the flash compensation and not the camera. so yes u are right to assume that.

[QF-347]

yea im really confused.. so on my flash i would dial in -1? and leave my camera on correct exposure?

camo

[Titus213]

yea im really confused.. so on my flash i would dial in -1? and leave my camera on correct exposure?

camo

That would be it, unless you can change the FEC from the camera body which is an option on some models.

But understand that -1 FEC is not a standard but rather a starting point.

[Curtis N]

First, you must remember that Flash Exposure Compensation must be used for the same reason as Exposure Compensation (for the ambient light). Crank it up for white stuff, crank it down for black stuff.

This must be factored into your decision, along with other things, like the amount of ambient light hitting your subject vs. the background, and how much flash you want to contribute to the exposure. It really is a matter of experience, trial-and-error.

If my subject is wearing a white shirt, I'll start with FEC at 0 and adjust from there.

[PacAce]

Am I right in assuming the way to get a D60 to fill at -1 is to use flash exposure compensation? Or does that just underexpose both the flash and ambient light by 1 stop?

Thanks
RGS

The D60 uses ETTL as opposed to ETTL-II used by the newer cameras. That means that, by default, the D60 will automatically reduce the flash output for fill flash use. You can, of course, disable that by setting C.Fn-10 to 1.

If I were you, I would try a couple of test shots with FEC set to 0 to see how well the camera does in providing fill flash automatically. You can then dial in more (or less) fill via an FEC adjustment if necessary.

[Curtis N]

The D60 uses ETTL as opposed to ETTL-II..; try a couple of test shots with FEC set to 0...My experience with E-TTL (original version) on the 300D would lead me to agree with Leo. I took lots of shots with 0 FEC and hardly ever overexposed a subject.

http://performancephoto.us/images/RenFaire/REN11.jpg

[PacAce]

Nice shot, Curtis! And beautiful model, too. If she had wings, you'd swear you were dead and had gone to heaven. :)

[Curtis N]

Nice shot, Curtis! And beautiful model, too.Thank you, Leo. She plays for tips and sells CDs at the local Renaissance Faire (which POTN will invade again, later this summer).

As a joke, I threw a dollar in her tip bucket and asked, "Do you know Stairway to Heaven?" Without hesitation, she played the most beautiful rendition of the intro to that song I have ever heard!

It's hard to see in this web sized image, but in a print she has catchlights in those beautiful eyes which definitely give her an angelic look. That sparkle just wouldn't be there without fill flash.

While we're on the subject of beautiful women, here's one I took with the 20D (which has E-TTL II) with Evaluative E-TTL and FEC at 0. The original had a few small areas of her blouse that were clipped, but that never bothers me if it's minor. I reduced the exposure about 1/4 stop with the RAW converter before conversion. E-TTL II does seem to expose a little brighter than E-TTL I when used as fill, but not by much.

I think the catchlights make this shot, too.

http://performancephoto.us/images/1900%20Ladies/IMG_0379.jpg

[Scott B]

Curtis ... great shots! I'm assuming that you're just using direct flash for the fill with no modifier?

This is an area I've been struggling with, but it's getting a little better.

[Curtis N]

I'm assuming that you're just using direct flash for the fill with no modifier?That's correct. Modifiers really don't provide a noticeable benefit in outdoor fill situations, and they waste a lot of light which reduces your range dramatically.