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View Full Version : Off camera flash zoom

fadetoblack22
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 06:23
When flash is off camera, I don't think it exposes to the camera zoom like when on camera. Rather than change the zoom on the camera for every shot at a different focal length, what is the best way to deal with this?

Use flash exposure comp?
Mike
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 10:45
When the flash is off the camera it is better to set this manually anyway as the flash will be at a different distance from the camera.
timbop
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 12:06
You are correct, off camera the flash head doesn't auto zoom. Generally speaking, however, I do not ever point my flash directly at the subject (macro being the exception). Typically I am firing into a diffuser, umbrella, ceiling, reflector, or whatever. In those cases, it is best to manually zoom to 24mm or just let the flash automatically go to 50mm (when pointed up).
fadetoblack22
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 12:19
So what is the best way to use it when shooting free-hand without a tripod and at different focal lenghts?
timbop
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 12:52
So what is the best way to use it when shooting free-hand without a tripod and at different focal lenghts?

Same as on camera: bounce and diffuse it. I personally prefer the gary fong cloudy lightsphere for nearer subjects, and the demb flip-it for further away. The fong has a lid that you can put on when the ceilings are high or you are taking a wide shot that would include the ceiling.
jra
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 14:23
The flash zoom only narrows or widens the light beam given out. To be as efficient as possible I guess it should be set to cover the subject and no more. I usually set mine wide (24mm) and just leave it there. It wastes light often times but requires less fiddling.
fadetoblack22
10th of August 2009 (Mon), 16:28
The flash zoom only narrows or widens the light beam given out. To be as efficient as possible I guess it should be set to cover the subject and no more. I usually set mine wide (24mm) and just leave it there. It wastes light often times but requires less fiddling.

Ok, thanks. I thought that matching the flash zoom and focal length gave the best power output from the flash withouth having to change the power/exposure comp.