Nikon F90 & SB 24 questions.

[macgreg]

I recently got a Nikon F90X which I like a lot and use it with a classic 50 D lens.

I plan on shooting more film with this, especially indoors and the truth is that I will certainly need a flash. I plan on getting an SB 24 which seems just fine.

Now, my concerns !! I usually bounce the flash on the ceiling as I don't like harsh light. With digital it's pretty obvious and imidiate the result, so if I need to fix sth I just do it. How does this work with film ? If I bounce the flash as I usually do, will the flash somehow "know" it and adjust the power ? What do I have to do to be sure that my exposures are fine ?

Also, if I use color film, will I have any weird color casts ? The films I usually shoot are Kodak Colourplus 200, Fuji Superia Xtra 400 and some Portra 400.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Hi!
1- Flash photography with film is actually easier. Historically Nikon had problems and have had to re-invent the TTL system for the digis. Sensors didn't or don't have the same reflectance as film

2- Rather plan to buy the SB-26. It was made for the F90X. Or the SB-25 that came out with the F90.
The SB-24 was made for the earlier non-D generation of lenses and cameras.

Anyway, any TTL flash will work great with the F90X. Just set the flash to TTT and fire away.
It is just better with a flash like the SB-25 or newer as they'll use 3D TTL.

 

[macgreg]

Didn't know the differences, especially about the SB 26 , thanks for that !!

So, let's say I get the 26 and bounce it. Will the exposure be ok theoretically ?

 

[locutus]

I used to use mine with a Sigma EF530 (D-TTL mode) in matrix + aperture priority mode with the flash dialled in at -1.7EV, giving me pretty decent daylight fill flash (max shutter sync permitting). I'd guess a Nikon SB would give similar results.

 

[ronnies]

Didn't know the differences, especially about the SB 26 , thanks for that !!

So, let's say I get the 26 and bounce it. Will the exposure be ok theoretically ?

Should be fine as long as the ceiling isn't too high.

Ronnie

 

[mweintraub]

Didn't know the differences, especially about the SB 26 , thanks for that !!

So, let's say I get the 26 and bounce it. Will the exposure be ok theoretically ?

Also look at the SB-28/SB-28DX. It's smaller.

 

[macgreg]

Should be fine as long as the ceiling isn't too high.

Ronnie

I hope so !!! I guess it's about trial and error, I was just hoping that things would be easy. And it seems that I will be fine.

 

[jimjm]

If you can shoot in TTL mode with the flash and your camera, you should be good to go. The SB-25 and SB-26 will probably allow this on your camera. The camera meter reads the light reflected from your subject (bounced or not) and shuts off the flash automatically. If the flash is powerful enough (compare guide numbers) you will have more flexibility with the bounce features.

Google Butkus manuals and you should be able to find the user manual for whichever flash you choose. Be sure to donate a few bucks if you get the manual from him, his site is a great resource. This will tell you what modes are compatible with certain bodies. The manual for the F90x should also have a section dealing with flash.

 

[macgreg]

F90X certainly works in TTL mode with the SB26 from what I read so far.

 

[mgb74]

As I understand the process, with TTL metering, you're measuring the light as it hits the film and - when the camera says enough is enough - it triggers the flash to stop. Needless to say, that's a bit of a simplification. So, to your original question, you're measuring the light that reaches the subject not the output of the flash - the camera will know and signal to the flash.

That doesn't mean it can't be fooled though. You need to understand how your meter reads relative to the subject and background (whether film or digital). A small dark subject against a larger white background will fool the camera unless in a metering mode that emphasizes the subject.

 

[ronnies]

F90X certainly works in TTL mode with the SB26 from what I read so far.

The F90x should work in TTL mode with all Nikon TTL flashes with a normal hot shoe up to the SB-800. Nikon removed film TTL compatibility from later flashes (SB-900 and later).

Ronnie

 

[macgreg]

I read the SB 26 manual and it says a couple of things about bouncing. In any case, it advises to open a couple of stops if needed when bouncing the flash. That's the thing though, I wish I knew if it would work without any adjustments. As for TTL, fill flash etc the 26 works just fine with the F90X and it surely is a better choice that the 24 that I had initially thought.

Anyway, it's all trial and error as usual.