Considerations and calculations for stacking on LG format film

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Wayne
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I have some ideas for multiple exposure images using flash on film
I have used flash a couple of times but never in multiple exposures
Does anyone have experience of this process and could give me a few pointers
Pretty Please,
 
It's a very simple process, the important thing is to totally exclude all unwanted ambient light, which means that you must work in total darkness.

There are two distinct and discreet ways of doing it . . .

1. Use multiple exposures in order to create more power than a single flash can provide - 2 flashes = 1 stop, 4 flashes = 2 stops, 8 flashes = 3 stops etc. The shutter must of course be open throughout the process. The flash will be in exactly the same place throughout. The flash will of course be set to full power.

2. Use multiple exposures in order to create the effect of more flash heads than you actually have, in which case the flash head is moved between flashes, adjusting the power between shots as necessary. Start with the flash power at the lowest required setting, and increase it if necessary in different positions. You must do it that way round because, if you turn down the power between shots, the flash head may produce more power than that set on it.
 
1. Use multiple exposures in order to create more power than a single flash can provide - 2 flashes = 1 stop, 4 flashes = 2 stops, 8 flashes = 3 stops etc. The shutter must of course be open throughout the process. The flash will be in exactly the same place throughout. The flash will of course be set to full power.

2. Use multiple exposures in order to create the effect of more flash heads than you actually have, in which case the flash head is moved between flashes, adjusting the power between shots as necessary. Start with the flash power at the lowest required setting, and increase it if necessary in different positions. You must do it that way round because, if you turn down the power between shots, the flash head may produce more power than that set on it.

Doesn't work like that because of reciprocity, yes 2 flashes i just about 1 stop, but you need 5 or 6 for 2 stops,10 or 11 for 3 stops, the exact number will depend on the particular film used.

It's exactly the same with multiple daylight exposures as well.

Ian
 
Yes, reciprocity failure is a factor, but not a massive one in my experience.
 
How fast does a flash fire? Lets say 1//1000 of second? Seems you can pop off alot and easily hit 4+ stops before you hit 1 second or more total exposure

1 flash 1/1000
2 flash 1/500 total duration
4 flash 1/250
8 flash 1/125 duration etc etc

Is this not correct?

Ha writing it out actually looks about right, TIL!
 
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Adjusting the power of a flash does not correlate to the length of each flash exposure, as you are assuming, it's the power discharged from the capacitors.

In fact the flash duration is the longest at high power, and shortest at low power, so the opposite.

Ian
 
Adjusting the power of a flash does not correlate to the length of each flash exposure, as you are assuming, it's the power discharged from the capacitors.

In fact the flash duration is the longest at high power, and shortest at low power, so the opposite.

Ian
Let's not go down a rabbit hole and take this thread off track - but what you say is only correct with IGBT technology flashes, the opposite is true with conventional technology ones.
 
I do not wish to cause consternation.

Could I get three exposures totaling one second from a leaf shutter with a max of 400

For instance

I need that kind of simplicity
 
Let's not go down a rabbit hole and take this thread off track - but what you say is only correct with IGBT technology flashes, the opposite is true with conventional technology ones.

Almost all modern camera hot shoe flash guns use IGBT technology as do a great many of the newer monolites and flash packs, It's fairly standard these days,

I do not wish to cause consternation.

Could I get three exposures totaling one second from a leaf shutter with a max of 400

For instance

I need that kind of simplicity

Yes, one at 1/2 & 3 at 1/4.

Ian
 
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