Help please

D

dad2twelve

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5
Name
Darren
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi, can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong please. I've bought a Canon 5D mk2, I have the 28-70mm L ISM II lens, and I am having real problems getting pin sharp images, especially when using studio flash. I've set the ISO to 400, the Shutter to 1/80th and f8. Can anyone suggest where I'm going wrong please? I'm thinking too slow a shutter speed, but don't want to up the ISO. Thanks
 
I'm photographing children by the way, so can't use a tripod, as they are toddlers and don't sit still. So that's not an option.
 
Speed is almost certainly your problem.

Thw only way you'd get a sharp shot with that slow shutter is if thwy were sleeping.

For kids moving I'd look for the maximum sync speed.

If you don't want to increase the ISO then increase your flash power otherwise don't break the fundamental rule of compromising necessary speed for a lower iso.
 
Just been looking through other images and they are fine, must just be me. Will up the flash power on the next shoot, so I can increase the shutter speed, to see if that helps. Thanks all. Will keep you posted :)
 
If you're using studio lights then changing the shutter speed won't make a difference to the exposure so you won't need to increase the power of the lights.

Do some homework on the relationship between shutter speed, aperture & ISO when shooting in a studio. It sounds to me like you've got some learning to do.
 
dad2twelve said:
Hi, can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong please. I've bought a Canon 5D mk2, I have the 28-70mm L ISM II lens, and I am having real problems getting pin sharp images, especially when using studio flash. I've set the ISO to 400, the Shutter to 1/80th and f8. Can anyone suggest where I'm going wrong please? I'm thinking too slow a shutter speed, but don't want to up the ISO. Thanks
Click to expand...

Are the kid moving? Then two possibilities. Need to post a pic.

First is focus, and even at f/8 it's quite possible for the subject to move out of sharp focus.

The second is flash duration* and most studio flash has quite a long effective flash duration. In terms of shutter speed equivalents, something around 1/600sec is typical at full power, and that often drops to 1/300sec as power is reduced. Manufacturers' quoted flash durations, stated at t.5 times, greatly overstate effective durations.

*Shutter speed is irrelevant to studio flash photography, however if it is too long, and there is quite a bit of ambient light in the studio, eg daylight from a window, you can get ambient blurring. 5D2 can run up to 1/200sec with hot-shoe guns and a fast trigger, though suggest 1/125sec as default with studio heads. This will reduce any ambient blurring.
 
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