0 thoughts on “Questions?

  1. I did have a question about Nikon flashes. I have an SB-600, and have been thinking of getting at least one more of them. I was trying to figure out why I would want to pay so much more for an SB-900. I was reading another photo blog, where that author suggested SB-600’s over SB-800’s since he couldn’t think of much the 800 did extra that he’d actually use.

    Recently I read that the SB-900 has that special flash mode where you can up the shutter speed far above 1/250th. Is the SB-900 the only Nikon flash with that feature?

  2. Gar: actually, the SB600 supports that feature too. It is called “auto FP flash” in Nikon (Canon calls it “Fast Flash”: I discussed it recently here on the blog). See http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/speedlights/sb-600/index.htm for the SB-600s specs.

    In spite of the extra power and functions and ease-of-use of the SB-900, right now I recommend the FP-600. The 900 is great but it overheats, or rather, it has aggressive overheating protection. Last weekend, my fellow photog with an SB-900 had to stop shooting regularly for extended periods of time with his SB-900, while I, with my Canon 580, was able to shoot at high power all night.

  3. I have both the SB600 and SB900. I like how easy it is to control other flash with my SB900 and how easy it is to change its settings. On the SB600 you need to press 2 buttons for about 2 seconds to go to the settings. I don’t mind that too much but on the SB900 it’s all laid out nicely in front of you.
    The SB600 doesn’t fit tightly on my D90. It wobbles a bit. The SB900 on the other side stays firm. I’d say it’s my favorite flash =) However, it’s huge and heavy and I wouldn’t agree more with Micheal about the overheat protection.

    I was shooting a dance battle the other day and my flash was on i-ttl. It was quite dark. I don’t remember how many pictures I took before my flash ‘overheated’. I’m guessing my flash was working at full power. What I did instead was to set my flash to manual 1/16 (I think). It didn’t overheat for the rest of the shooting. Took more than 1000 pictures with the flash. =)

    I’m sure that the SB600 would have done the job too. No doubt about it.

    Ps: Michael, I like the little changes to your blog (the look)!

  4. Hi Michael!

    I’d love to know what your printing workflow is at home and perhaps share all of those wonderful, undocumented tips on how to get the best and most accurate colour from our printers at home. Perhaps more information on the printing ‘intents’ such as relative colorimetric versus the others and when we might use them. Perhaps this might even branch our in to some of your favourite post processing tricks on how to make our photos their most appealing. All of this might mean more than one post 😉 Hoping all is well…

    Dave

  5. I am a novice with a T1i and a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I normally shot in aperture priority (Av mode). I recently bought a Speedlite 430 EX II flash and now I have to shoot in P mode because I get blurry images in Av mode with flash. What am I doing wrong in Av mode? Do you have any quick tips to novices on flash photography?

    Thanks,
    Josh

  6. Michael,

    Is there a feature in the 7d, which will automatically release the shutter at a set time interval? For example, I want to set up the camera so that it automatically takes a picture every 15 minutes to capture the star trail.

    Thank,
    Franklin

  7. Hi Michael!
    I’m in a dilemma about importing raw format pictures from my hard drive to lightroom. I use Nikon D90,and I shoot in raw, I transfer pics using Nikon software comes with camera to the hard drive, when I try to import a picture, it says:The format is not supported or the file is damaged.I know D90 can process raw to jpeg in the camera, Is it the same jpeg format as I shoot in jpeg in the first place? If not what’s the difference?
    I haven’t be able to see my pics at all. Please show me what I did wrong!!
    Thank you very much

    • First, I would use Lightroom to import the picture; and you could consider using a card reader rather than hooking up the camera. It is possible something is going wrong with the transfer process.

      Second, Lightroom reads .NEF Files. You may have to ensure you have the latest Lightroom update, though. What version are you using?

      Post one file on a FTP site and I’ll tell you if the files are OK.

  8. Question: I understand why you would use most of the modes ( av, tv, etc.) but what are the main applications where one would/should use the manual mode? Thks

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