Getting started with lighting

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

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I'm looking at flashes and small lighting setups at the moment, the jargon is getting to me a bit though! TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL....for example! :confused:

So, in layman terms...

If I were to buy a starter flash such as the YN468, would this be compatible with my D5100? I know it has a sensor for off camera activation but what if I don't want to use my cameras own flash to activate it, is there anyway to set the YN468 off remotely or have it linked to the camera somehow?

If it isn't possible to activate the flash with other methods... Are the sensors on these external flashes sensitive enough to read my own cameras flash if it's on a very low light setting?

Also, does any external flash work when mounted to the top of the camera? I'm assuming that is what the metal strips are for? Or, do certain flashes only work with particular brands?

Sorry for the silly questions, I thought I'd get much better explanations here than googling random terms!

Cheers guys, I'll keep my silly lighting questions in here!
 
Back in the old 35mm days I could go out and buy any flash for my Pentax Me Super for a modest price. Since then my digital cameras have had self contained flashes. I recently bought my Pentax K30 DSLR and am thinking about buying an additional flash. I have struck by the jargon and more especially the prices. Some flashes are over £400!
Does anybody know where I can get a reasonable explanation of the technology and why they are so expensive.
 
shifty_uk said:
I'm looking at flashes and small lighting setups at the moment, the jargon is getting to me a bit though! TTL, A-TTL, E-TTL....for example! :confused:

So, in layman terms...

If I were to buy a starter flash such as the YN468, would this be compatible with my D5100? I know it has a sensor for off camera activation but what if I don't want to use my cameras own flash to activate it, is there anyway to set the YN468 off remotely or have it linked to the camera somehow?

If it isn't possible to activate the flash with other methods... Are the sensors on these external flashes sensitive enough to read my own cameras flash if it's on a very low light setting?

Also, does any external flash work when mounted to the top of the camera? I'm assuming that is what the metal strips are for? Or, do certain flashes only work with particular brands?

Sorry for the silly questions, I thought I'd get much better explanations here than googling random terms!

Cheers guys, I'll keep my silly lighting questions in here!
Click to expand...

I am just starting to look for a flashgun myself, from my little knowledge I know that Cannon and Nikon use a different layout for the hot shoe (different pin layout) so you will need one that is specific for the make of your camera, if looking for a TTL (Through The Lens Metering) flash that is.

If manual flash, then you can get a Flash that can be used for any make of camera, it will have 1 pin on the hot shoe part of the flash in the middle, Like the Yongnuo 560II, these are manual flash's and you will need to adjust the power of the flash yourself on the flash.

You can get ''flash triggers'' for off camera flash, something like the Yongnuo RF-603 triggers, different models of flash triggers can do different things I believe so more research would be needed to see what is suitable , you can also get a flash extension cord for a little less money than the triggers.

The 468 flash is compatible, if you get the model that is for you make of camera, Nikon Yongnuo 468 II.

Hope this helps, like I say I am new to this so it's the only advice I can give:)
 
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