Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

[Columbarius]

Received my new Speedlite a couple of days ago, and it was so miserable and cold, staying in was a good idea, so I offer you: Kings & Queens of England 1902 - 2002.


Kings & Queens of England 1902-2002 (800px) by PhotographyRussell, on Flickr

It seems to me I've a lot to learn about using this kit. Feedback welcome. Thanks!

Russell

AV Mode
32 sec
ISO 400
60mm Macro
Flash

[AndyA]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

How was it used Russell, was it on camera?

[Muscat]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Russell I am curious if you were using the flash how did you use it when the exposure was 32 seconds?

[Columbarius]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

I'm really glad you ask, because I couldn't work out what was happening either. The 600 was on camera, set as master using IR not Radio to fire a slave 320EX lighting the background, and which I was also using to trigger the shutter (manual positioning). I'd pulled the curtains (in my dining room/makeshift studio) so there was no strong natural light, and I had switched off the ceiling light.

The individual shots are acceptable as images: Elizabeth II 1953 (800 px).jpg

But there's something happening which I clearly do not understand.

Russell

[Trevoreast]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

AV Mode
32 sec
ISO 400
60mm Macro
Flash

Russell, the aperture you choose was F32 and resulted in a shutterspeed of 30 secs.

Trev

[Trevoreast]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

I'd pulled the curtains (in my dining room/makeshift studio) so there was no strong natural light, and I had switched off the ceiling light.

Russell, an alternative to what you’ve done to eliminate the ambient light is to put the camera in manual mode.

Use ISO 100 – shutter speed of 1/200 sec (your max sync speed) to begin with.

Use a starter aperture that gives you sufficient DOF, I generally start with F8.

When you end up with a black underexposed frame you have eliminated the ambient and you’re ready to add your flashlight.

I tend to do this one light at a time, eg starting with your main light 600 ex rt, then the 380ex

For this kind of shoot you’ll get more consistently and control if you use your flashguns in manual mode – I’m not sure if the 380 does manual ?

Does that help ?

[Columbarius]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Thanks for the advice Trevor, next free afternoon I'll give it a try. You're correct the 380 does not have a manual mode.

[Muscat]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Ah Russell, all is now clear and I think that Trev has given some great advice, all the best for your next experiment.

[Columbarius]

Re: Experimenting with Speedlite 600 EX-RT

I had time for another play with the 600 EXII this afternoon, and tried to follow some of Trevor's advice (new readers see above). So here's Kings & Queens Revisited, and a couple of Orchids my wife induced to flower.

Kings & Queens Revisited(800 px).jpg

Orchid 1 (800px).jpg

Orchid 2 (800px).jpg

Comments warmly welcomed, thanks.