S602 + SunPak 383 -- settings suggestions

I just got my SunPak 383 flash for my dear S602 just in time for this weekend. (BH Photo & Video had great prices and service, FYI) As I've seen discussions before about how people recommend this one, I was wondering if the auto setting on the flash works sufficiently (family and group pictures are in my weekend future) most (all?) of the time or is it better to use the F-stop/distance settings on the flash manually...?

Also curious about, I use to angle my external flash units (10 years ago on an old EOS I used) about half way up to create a more sunlight effect. Does this 383 usually benefit from directly facing the subjects or does anyone have any other comments?

It's been so long I've forgotten some of the basics from B&W photography but I figured I'd get them "from the horse's mouth" on theses questions from you fellow Fuji owners regarding my S602. Thanks!

ken

Here is something to start with. Since the default ISO on the 602 is 200, set the IS/ASA to 200 on the flash, then set the mode on the flash to A

where the F/Stop is set to 5.6. Set the power on the flash to A as well. Mount the flash on the camera and be sure to turn on external flash on the 602. Set the 602 on manual- 1/125th and F5.6. This will give a decent setting for indoor shots for normal range shots. Take a few test shots and verify exposure on the LCD. Adjust a flash or aperature settings accordingly.

Good luck. I am certainly no expert at flash photography, but I just told you were mine is set for my so called default.

Here is a frog taken in total darkness with these settings-

alister said:

I just got my SunPak 383 flash for my dear S602 just in time for
this weekend. (BH Photo & Video had great prices and service, FYI)
As I've seen discussions before about how people recommend this
one, I was wondering if the auto setting on the flash works
sufficiently (family and group pictures are in my weekend future)
most (all?) of the time or is it better to use the F-stop/distance
settings on the flash manually...?

Also curious about, I use to angle my external flash units (10
years ago on an old EOS I used) about half way up to create a more
sunlight effect. Does this 383 usually benefit from directly facing
the subjects or does anyone have any other comments?

It's been so long I've forgotten some of the basics from B&W
photography but I figured I'd get them "from the horse's mouth" on
theses questions from you fellow Fuji owners regarding my S602.
Thanks!

ken

Click to expand...

To answer your question about using the flash at an angle- experiment with bouncing the flash off of the wall or ceiling to create a less harsh flash effect. This may also have an impact on the expsore, so you should do a test shot first.

RAVMAN said:

Good luck. I am certainly no expert at flash photography, but I
just told you were mine is set for my so called default.

Here is a frog taken in total darkness with these settings-

alister said:

I just got my SunPak 383 flash for my dear S602 just in time for
this weekend. (BH Photo & Video had great prices and service, FYI)
As I've seen discussions before about how people recommend this
one, I was wondering if the auto setting on the flash works
sufficiently (family and group pictures are in my weekend future)
most (all?) of the time or is it better to use the F-stop/distance
settings on the flash manually...?

Also curious about, I use to angle my external flash units (10
years ago on an old EOS I used) about half way up to create a more
sunlight effect. Does this 383 usually benefit from directly facing
the subjects or does anyone have any other comments?

It's been so long I've forgotten some of the basics from B&W
photography but I figured I'd get them "from the horse's mouth" on
theses questions from you fellow Fuji owners regarding my S602.
Thanks!

ken

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Cool. These are some great suggestions to set me off on the right foot! I'll be sure to try these. Thanks for the help.

ken

RAVMAN said:

Good luck. I am certainly no expert at flash photography, but I
just told you were mine is set for my so called default.

Here is a frog taken in total darkness with these settings-

alister said:

I just got my SunPak 383 flash for my dear S602 just in time for
this weekend. (BH Photo & Video had great prices and service, FYI)
As I've seen discussions before about how people recommend this
one, I was wondering if the auto setting on the flash works
sufficiently (family and group pictures are in my weekend future)
most (all?) of the time or is it better to use the F-stop/distance
settings on the flash manually...?

Also curious about, I use to angle my external flash units (10
years ago on an old EOS I used) about half way up to create a more
sunlight effect. Does this 383 usually benefit from directly facing
the subjects or does anyone have any other comments?

It's been so long I've forgotten some of the basics from B&W
photography but I figured I'd get them "from the horse's mouth" on
theses questions from you fellow Fuji owners regarding my S602.
Thanks!

ken

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

RAVMAN said:

Here is something to start with. Since the default ISO on the 602
is 200, set the IS/ASA to 200 on the flash, then set the mode on
the flash to A
where the F/Stop is set to 5.6. Set the power on the flash to A as
well. Mount the flash on the camera and be sure to turn on external
flash on the 602. Set the 602 on manual- 1/125th and F5.6. This
will give a decent setting for indoor shots for normal range shots.

Click to expand...

The real key here is to make sure you use the camera in manual mode. You can also use any shutter speed you wish as the 602 will sync with the flahs at any shutter speed, so if you a faster speed for handholding the camera or to freeze action, you can use it (unlike most 35mm systems.)

RAVMAN said:

Take a few test shots and verify exposure on the LCD. Adjust a
flash or aperature settings accordingly.

Click to expand...

I've found many external flashes tend to overexpose a bit with my 6900. So if the suggested aperture is f/5.6, I've found I get better pictures with something around f/6.3 to f/8. Just experiment around, as suggested, and find the settings that work for your flash/camera combo.

As far as bounce flash goes, the bounce off the celing makes for a softer light and minimizes shadows. Direct flash can look harsh, especially for portraits and group pictures. I almost excluusivley use some type of indeirect flash, either a bounce off the ceiling or by using a flash diffuser. A really cheap way to get a flash diffuser to soften your flash effect is to just cover the flash head with a few layers of tissue paper or cheesecloth, held in place by a rubber band.

--
John

Fuji 6900Z, Fuji2600Z,
Pentax PZ-1p, Pentax ZX-M, Pentax MX, Oly Stylus
http://www.pbase.com/jglover

Just a thought - make sure that the surface you bounce the flash off is white or you could end up with some interesting colour casts.

John Glover said:

As far as bounce flash goes, the bounce off the celing makes for a
softer light and minimizes shadows. Direct flash can look harsh,
especially for portraits and group pictures. I almost excluusivley
use some type of indeirect flash, either a bounce off the ceiling
or by using a flash diffuser. A really cheap way to get a flash
diffuser to soften your flash effect is to just cover the flash
head with a few layers of tissue paper or cheesecloth, held in
place by a rubber band.

--
John

Fuji 6900Z, Fuji2600Z,
Pentax PZ-1p, Pentax ZX-M, Pentax MX, Oly Stylus
http://www.pbase.com/jglover

Click to expand...

--
Regards
John Payne
Cardiff UK
Fuji Finepix S602z

http://www.pbase.com/jpayne