Bounced/diffused flash

johnnyguitar

johnnyguitar

Messages
136
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
I have a D40 and I was thinking of adding an SB400 with possibly one of those STO-FEN diffusers. However, would I be right in thinking that if you want to bounce a flash off a ceiling for example, this works best with the flash obviously tilted towards the ceiling and therefore the camera is landscape-oriented. If you want to take a portrait for example, the flash is effectively on the side and either points away from or directly at the subject, you presumably can't light the subject in the same way?

Or am I talking complete cobblers?
 
A lot of flashguns will also rotate 90 degrees on the horizontal as well so you can still bounce off the ceiling when shooting portrait.

I don't know if the SB400 does this though.
 
For what I think you are on about, you would put your camera in portrait orientation, with the flash facing forward in the 'normal' position, but then you should be able to rotate it so it still points upwards at the ceiling :)
 
The sb400 will only rotate upwards to 90 degrees, which is fine in landscape but in portrait it means that the sb400 will be pointing towards the side of the subject or bouncing off a side wall. I'm not sure what Stofen product you would be using and if it makes a difference, but a better bet would be the sb600 which allows you to bounce off celings etc from either landscape or portrait.
 
That's what I was thinking, that the SB400 only rotates upwards. I did think about the SB600 but as well as being more expensive, it dwarfs the D40 :lol:
 
I had an sb400 then ended up getting a sb600 anyway as I was limited by the sb400.....I would advise that you should get the equipment that suits your needs....if the sb400 doesn't do the job you want then its not worth getting :-)
 
use a cable between the camera and flash, or even better remote triggers, then hold the flash in your other hand etc, it will open up the possibilities more.
 
B3R said:
use a cable between the camera and flash, or even better remote triggers, then hold the flash in your other hand etc, it will open up the possibilities more.
Click to expand...

The SB-400 isn't really suitable for use with triggers, as it doesn't have a manual mode
 
Can't you just make a small bounce card and put it on the flash pointing up?? I use the lids from Chinese takeaway, (the cardboard ones), as they often have a silver reflective surface underneath..

EDIT: In fact I made one donkeys ago before I got my fong on... I have dug it out, if you want I can show you some pics???
 
I use an SB600 with the D40 and it's fine, honest!

If I were you I'd get the yonghuo flash for £35 from Flash In The Pan (he has replied above), it's a huge bargain and great for learning. You can only use it in manual but it is the best way to learn.

Then when you can afford the SB600 you can use the Chinese one as a backlight/secondary flash.

He also sells omnibounce similar things for 1/10th of the omni-bounce price.

Oh, and the money you save you can put towards a stand, umbrella, softbox... the possiblities are (nearly) endless!

BTW I don't work for FITP just a very satisfied customer :D
 
johnnyguitar said:
I have a D40 and I was thinking of adding an SB400 with possibly one of those STO-FEN diffusers. However, would I be right in thinking that if you want to bounce a flash off a ceiling for example, this works best with the flash obviously tilted towards the ceiling and therefore the camera is landscape-oriented. If you want to take a portrait for example, the flash is effectively on the side and either points away from or directly at the subject, you presumably can't light the subject in the same way?

Or am I talking complete cobblers?
Click to expand...

SB400 is nice and small, great for simple on-camera auto flash, but doesn't have the power or other options to do much else.

With something like an SB600, the whole strobist world is opened up to you :thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top