[photo-3d] Re: Flash Photography help?

[David Motz <david.motz@xxxxxxx>]

From: David Motz <david.motz@xxxxxxx>


>    I'm not familiar with the 2800 so I am going to assume that it 
>    is an 'automatic' flash for this discussion.  

It is an automatic flash.  (They both are.)

>    Now for your question -- why are you using the flash manually?

I guess because I don't understand how to use the automatic mode and have
tended to want to get more light out of the thing. (I've never had a flash
shot that looked over exposed.)   I got it with my Realist and never had
the instruction manual.  Now that I have the instruction manual for the
Cullmann I'm not sure I understand it either...

>    The cool thing about an automatic flash is that it turns your
>    manual exposure camera into an automatic exposure camera.  Dial
>    in the filmspeed on the flash, pick a power setting, and the 
>    flash tells you what aperature to set the camera at.  On a 
>    leaf shutter camera on the Realist, the easiest thing to do is
>    just pick the fastest shutter speed and shoot away.  Your
>    exposures should be correct if the flash is working correctly.

Part of what is confusing me is that I know there are two power settings
but there is only one recommended f stop and no recommended shutter
speeds. When I set the flash to ISO 50 for my Velvia it says f4, but this
can't apply to both power settings at the same time can it?  On the
Cullmann it shows f4 and f2 which makes more sense to me.

>    Now when you start throwing in available light balancing with
>    your flash, or using multiple flash units (which you brought
>    up with the Cullman) then you really need a book.  Lots of 
>    them have been written on the subject.  Sorry I don't have
>    any particular recommendations in that category.

I think I'll get a book.  I should add though that I've not been terribly
disappointed with wild stabs in the dark.  I just think I should be able
to do better.  

I am also confused by the fact that the Porter's catalog lists the Cullman
as having a guide number of 90 at ISO 100 while the box clearly states GN
28 at ISO 100.  Did I get ripped off?  The catalog says the Vivitar has a
GN of 80 at ISO 100.  



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