Nikon F3 TTL flash using 1600 iso film

[d10nisius]

Hi guys,
I have an event coming that someone asked me to document. I would like to use my F3. But the problem is the place is a dark cafe. I know I will need at least 800, but most likely 1600 iso film. I'm thinking of purchasing as-17 adapter and sb-28. But the problem is that the AS 17 can only go up to iso 400. And I actually want to combine the ambient light with the flash ratio. Is there any way I can trick the flash to do TTL with less power(maybe 3 stops lower)? I appreciate your help

 

[Chan Tran]

If your SB-28 allows for exposure compensation you can dialin the compensation of -3 stops.

 

[Mick Fagan]

One of the few problems I have encountered with F3's is their TTL metering in super dark places can be a bit hit and miss.

I run either the Nikon SB17 which is a dedicated F3 flash and/or a Metz 32 CT4. The Metz I have either sitting directly on the camera or on the optional Metz flash arm sitting alongside the camera, which looks like a small Metz 45 when set up.

TTL flash on an F3 when in a very darkened room is perfect, until your picture has in the very centre, a very dark or very light bit of reflection material.

The F3 has the central 12mm of the viewfinder accounting for 80% of the metering, this is what I find to be a bit problematic. If I'm using either 24, 28, or 35mm the flash works very well. If I'm using my 55 or 85mm lenses, most of the time it works perfectly. However, when I strike a very light or very dark part of the picture in the centre of the viewfinder the TTL seems to strike a wobbly.

I'm not familiar with your intended flash but if it could be used in a manual or semi manual mode, I would consider that.

When faced with a like situation, I myself will turn the flash to one of it's own automatic settings then open up or close down the aperture on the lens. That way you can override the flash by the required stops to get your 800 or 1600 settings.

I myself have used Neopan 1600 for this situation and found it works best at 800 asa.

Kevin Caulfield has used Delta 3200 for a very successful picture of the Pretenders at a rock concert. I have a postcard exchange print alongside the keyboard, it is very, very good, you may wish to think of that film and possibly use no flash, if that's possible. You'll find a picture of that in the gallery under his name.

Mick.

 

[d10nisius]

Thanks both for the info
Mick, your answer is very very helpful.
I can always count on apug for the most informative answer.
Those two alternatives, using flash in auto or using high iso is just what I was thinking after researching about the f3 flash more. It seems that the TTL don't take the ambiance into account. And the adapter is super expensive anyway. I have researched a little bit about neopan and delta also. It seems to me that the ideal would be no flash at all, using Delta 3200 maybe at 1600 or 3200. The thing is that I haven't develop my own film, so I have to pay the custom lab to push process it, which is expensive.
Reading the people here makes me want to develop my own film. I will probably will look around for that info.
Mick, what kind of flash do you recommend if I want to use ambient light as the primary light source and just add a hint of flash. Do I need a light meter ? Do you have some kind of rule of thumb that you usually use for that situation?

Thanks again guys