How do I get a lower flash output on my nikon d90?
Posted by admin | Under Nikon D90 Tuesday Jan 20, 2009We just got a nikon d90 and don't really know how to use it yet! When I use the no flash it's blurry most times and when I use the flash it's too bright. I want to use the flash that looks like I'm not using flash. How do I do that? I just want a quick tip..
1. To reduce the number of "blurry" photos, do two things.
A. Set the ISO of the camera (light sensitivity) to a higher number when shooting indoors or in the evening). Choose an ISO number like 800-1600. To do this, hold down the ISO button on the back of the camera, while rotating the rear command dial.
B. Learn to hold the camera properly. Too many beginning photographers just grasp the camera body, letting camera movement ruin a great shot. Hold the camera body with your right hand (firmly grasping it, with your forefinger over the shutter button). Place your left hand beneath the lens with your thumb away from yourself. Learn to stand with one foot slightly behind the other. This provides a very stable platform for your camera and counteracts the natural movement of the photographer. Squeeze, don't mash, the shutterbutton when shooting.
2. To adjust the power of the built-in flash follow these steps from Ken Rockwell's website:
"Flash Bolt +/- Button (right side of flash hump as seen from front) top
Press this to pop up the flash.
This button also sets the flash sync mode and the brightness of the flash. Flash brightness is more formally called "flash exposure compensation."
Press and hold the flash button and turn the front dial to change the flash exposure compensation. This sets the brightness of the flash. + makes the flash brighter, – makes it dimmer. This setting only changes the brightness of the flash while leaving the background (ambient) exposure alone. Set it to – if your subjects are getting washed out. If you run out of flash power beyond 10 to 20 feet, then setting it to + can't make the flash any brighter.
If you set flash exposure compensation to anything other than zero, you'll see a little "+/- bolt" icon in the finder and on the top LCD and INFO panel. This resets when you do a green reset.
Press and hold the flash button and turn the rear dial to change the flash sync mode. You'll see the mode shown on the top LCD (and INFO panel) in the box with the bolt."
I'd suggest printing off this handy user's guide, to compliment your owner's manual.
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90/users-guide/index.htm
For better flash photos, invest in an external Nikon flash such as the SB400, SB600, or SB800. I find my SB600, when tilted to bounce light off the ceiling, or when coupled with an inexpensive deflector, provides flash pictures that look "flashless".
Most of all, experiment. Take pictures at different settings and review them on the camera's lcd screen. You learn the most by doing, so shoot away!
p.s. A photography class would be great, and a good photo guide book can be very helpful. But remember, you don't learn to drive by reading a driver's manual. You learn behind the wheel.
you really need to read the manual first. you could try to use a higher ISO setting indoors without the flash, but then, you do'nt know what ISO is, yet.
References :
Read your manual!!! It will tell you how to control the level of the flash.
You really need a better flash that you can bounce off the ceiling. Like the SB800.
References :
Firstly, you can only do this in the Program, Shutter Priority, AV mode, and the Manual Mode. You can do this in no other mode. So, if you are using the Automatic mode, switch it to the P mode, at least. Hit the Button on the bottom of the camera ( on the right, it looks like a magnifying glass ). Then, go to Flash compensation. Put it down to make it less strong, and up to make it stronger. Don't decrease it too much because you will end up with an under-exposure.
You should also refer to the Manual
Hope it helps.
References :
Am A Nikon Photographer
1. To reduce the number of "blurry" photos, do two things.
A. Set the ISO of the camera (light sensitivity) to a higher number when shooting indoors or in the evening). Choose an ISO number like 800-1600. To do this, hold down the ISO button on the back of the camera, while rotating the rear command dial.
B. Learn to hold the camera properly. Too many beginning photographers just grasp the camera body, letting camera movement ruin a great shot. Hold the camera body with your right hand (firmly grasping it, with your forefinger over the shutter button). Place your left hand beneath the lens with your thumb away from yourself. Learn to stand with one foot slightly behind the other. This provides a very stable platform for your camera and counteracts the natural movement of the photographer. Squeeze, don't mash, the shutterbutton when shooting.
2. To adjust the power of the built-in flash follow these steps from Ken Rockwell's website:
"Flash Bolt +/- Button (right side of flash hump as seen from front) top
Press this to pop up the flash.
This button also sets the flash sync mode and the brightness of the flash. Flash brightness is more formally called "flash exposure compensation."
Press and hold the flash button and turn the front dial to change the flash exposure compensation. This sets the brightness of the flash. + makes the flash brighter, – makes it dimmer. This setting only changes the brightness of the flash while leaving the background (ambient) exposure alone. Set it to – if your subjects are getting washed out. If you run out of flash power beyond 10 to 20 feet, then setting it to + can't make the flash any brighter.
If you set flash exposure compensation to anything other than zero, you'll see a little "+/- bolt" icon in the finder and on the top LCD and INFO panel. This resets when you do a green reset.
Press and hold the flash button and turn the rear dial to change the flash sync mode. You'll see the mode shown on the top LCD (and INFO panel) in the box with the bolt."
I'd suggest printing off this handy user's guide, to compliment your owner's manual.
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90/users-guide/index.htm
For better flash photos, invest in an external Nikon flash such as the SB400, SB600, or SB800. I find my SB600, when tilted to bounce light off the ceiling, or when coupled with an inexpensive deflector, provides flash pictures that look "flashless".
Most of all, experiment. Take pictures at different settings and review them on the camera's lcd screen. You learn the most by doing, so shoot away!
p.s. A photography class would be great, and a good photo guide book can be very helpful. But remember, you don't learn to drive by reading a driver's manual. You learn behind the wheel.
References :
Amateur & professional photographer for 50 years & still learning;…