Nikon FM3a @ a HS Graduation

kivis · Jun 9, 2009

Any reason why I shouldn't shoot a small High school graduation of 35 12th graders with my Nikon FM3A and 3 primes (28, 50, 105) plus a Nikon SB-30 TTL Flash? I was planning on using Fuji Superia 400 color prints. The graduation is at 7 PM (still light) but surely won't end until darkness sets in. Probably can shoot flash less in the beginning but will certainly need the flash later to setup graduates with their parents for shots. It will be in a small auditorium with average lightning. I could probably get away with shooting 800 ISO and no flash but I am afraid to take the risk.
My other alternative would be to shoot digi.............................

Mike Kennedy · Jun 9, 2009

If you're shooting color film under tungsten lighting there will be a yellow cast to the prints.I'd use the Nikon for available light shots and switch to the digi. indoors.
Just my 2 cents.

kivis · Jun 9, 2009

Mike Kennedy said:
If you're shooting color film under tungsten lighting there will be a yellow cast to the prints.I'd use the Nikon for available light shots and switch to the digi. indoors.
Just my 2 cents.

Would I still get the yellow cast even if I use a flash 100% of the time?

Sirius Glass · Jun 9, 2009

kivis said:
Would I still get the yellow cast even if I use a flash 100% of the time?

No.

Steve

aparat · Jun 9, 2009

Regardless of whether you're using film or digital, I would try to get most of the important photos taken early, in good light. In dim light, it's going to be very tough to get nice, pleasingly lit group shots.

kivis · Jun 9, 2009

aparat said:
Regardless of whether you're using film or digital, I would try to get most of the important photos taken early, in good light. In dim light, it's going to be very tough to get nice, pleasingly lit group shots.

Sorry to stupid but even with a flash?

David William White · Jun 9, 2009

Just casual or are you the photographer? If you are the guy whose supposed to be covering this event, then use flash with every shot...fill flash. Don't worry about being obnoxious with the flash...they expect it. Get a bracket to hold the flash as far away from the optic axis as possible, and one that swings so you can do portrait mode. Swap the SB-30 for one that can take a small softbox, and one that can swivel. You can probably rent a flash for $25, and a bracket for $5. Carry spare rechargeable batteries, fully charged.

You can strip off the flash and bracket later and shoot fast black and white for the candid, extemporaneous thing.

Film or digital, you'll still need a proper flashhead for indoors, so same problems and same solutions.

That's my advice, for what it's worth. Good luck!

Sirius Glass · Jun 9, 2009

kivis said:
Sorry to stupid but even with a flash?

The strobe will balance the color within the range of the flash, even fill-in flash.

Steve

Sirius Glass · Jun 9, 2009

David William White said:
Just casual or are you the photographer? If you are the guy whose supposed to be covering this event, then use flash with every shot...fill flash. Don't worry about being obnoxious with the flash...they expect it. Get a bracket to hold the flash as far away from the optic axis as possible, and one that swings so you can do portrait mode. Swap the SB-30 for one that can take a small softbox, and one that can swivel. You can probably rent a flash for $25, and a bracket for $5. Carry spare rechargeable batteries, fully charged.

You can strip off the flash and bracket later and shoot fast black and white for the candid, extemporaneous thing.

Film or digital, you'll still need a proper flashhead for indoors, so same problems and same solutions.

That's my advice, for what it's worth. Good luck!

What he said.

Steve

budrichard · Jun 9, 2009

I've used a Fm3a plus Nikon SB-16 with K64 for something equivalnet. The TTL flash coupling with the Fm3a in AUTO makes for a very easy shoot. 400ASA is really not needed and I would shoot it all with flash.-Dick

kivis · Jun 9, 2009

budrichard said:
I've used a Fm3a plus Nikon SB-16 with K64 for something equivalnet. The TTL flash coupling with the Fm3a in AUTO makes for a very easy shoot. 400ASA is really not needed and I would shoot it all with flash.-Dick

Wouldn't using 400 ISO or even 800 ISO give me greater range with the flash?

marsbars · Jun 9, 2009

Yep, it will give you much greater range but at expense of more grain and quality.

Sirius Glass · Jun 10, 2009

400 Porta NC or VC is good enough by far for color. Tri-X at 400 for black & white.

Steve

budrichard · Jun 10, 2009

kivis said:
Wouldn't using 400 ISO or even 800 ISO give me greater range with the flash?

You will get greater range but do you want to shoot flash with a 200mm at 100'. There comes a point where the flash will become close to the background lighting and you will start to view bright lights as jiggles superimposed on flash image. You want to keep the flash/film exposure level much higher than the natural light.-Dick

Nikon FM3a @ a HS Graduation

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