Flash ( Speedlight) functionality with APS-C and Full frame cameras

[Malli]

Hello there,

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

I guess depending on type of camera on which Flash is mounted, most probably Flash will narrow or widen the flash area. As you know 18mm of APS-C is equal to 28mm of Full frame. Also I guess functionality must be based on type of camera ( FX or DX camera) , but not on lens type ( FX or DX lens).

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[David1961]

I have a Canon portable flash on my Canon dslr. I assume Nikon flash on Nikon camera will function the same.

I have a "Zoom" setting on Canon flash. I normally have it set to Auto. As I zoom in/out on the camera the zoom on the flash adjusts accordingly automatically. I also have the option to set the flash zoom to one of the 7 preset settings if I want a fixed spread of light for any given camera focal length.

I would expect the Canon flash and Canon camera to talk to each other and play nicely with each other on any Canon dslr regardless of the camera's sensor size.

 

[geru]

Hello there,

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

I guess depending on type of camera on which Flash is mounted, most probably Flash will narrow or widen the flash area. As you know 18mm of APS-C is equal to 28mm of Full frame. Also I guess functionality must be based on type of camera ( FX or DX camera) , but not on lens type ( FX or DX lens).

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

The flash head zooms to whatever is set by the lens mounted on the camera. It doesn't matter of it's ASPC or full frame. You zoom the lens to 35mm and the flash head zooms to 35mm regardless of the camera type.

 

[DaptC]

As others have said, on ttl mode (i-ttl for Nikon), flash will zoom in/out as per focal length selected whether it's a FF or APS-C camera. Not something you should worry too much upon. But it's important to understand that the flash is a small pointed directional source of light. If used directly, it won't light up the whole scene evenly. You would get ugly shadows and blown up areas. Bouncing the light off the ceiling/walls is a good way to spread the light. Then you can take the flash off-camera which opens up lots of options, softboxes, umbrellas etc. Tons of materials already exist on DPR and other websites on lighting for you to get a good idea.

 

[lehill]

Hello there,

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

I guess depending on type of camera on which Flash is mounted, most probably Flash will narrow or widen the flash area. As you know 18mm of APS-C is equal to 28mm of Full frame. Also I guess functionality must be based on type of camera ( FX or DX camera) , but not on lens type ( FX or DX lens).

Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

My old Sony flash did automatically adjust the zoom position for sensor size when using a Sony camera. The manual doesn't say what happens when bouncing the flash.

My Phottix flashes (for Sony) have a custom function setting to turn automatic zoom-position sensor size adjustment on/off - this only works when the head is at 0° or -7°. When bouncing, the zoom head adjusts to 50mm focal length and switches to manual zoom mode.

All this stuff was buried deep in the user manuals. So I suppose you'll have to dig into the Nikon (or other brand) user manuals to get the info you're looking for.

--
Lance H

 

[Razor512]

For the vast majority it seems that the standard behavior is to just match the focal length listed on the lens, ignoring crop factor.

Though practically speaking, the zoom only takes effect when the flash head is aimed directly forward at the subject which is rarely done. Results are often not as good to exactly match the effective focal length of the lens at the longer end and camera because the light output from speed lights are not 100% even.



PS, even more expensive first party brands will have similar patterns, as you zoom the flash, (commonly seen when you see them reviewed on a range of youtube channels).

 

[Leonard Migliore]

Hello there,

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

I guess depending on type of camera on which Flash is mounted, most probably Flash will narrow or widen the flash area. As you know 18mm of APS-C is equal to 28mm of Full frame. Also I guess functionality must be based on type of camera ( FX or DX camera) , but not on lens type ( FX or DX lens).

Please share your thoughts.

I have a Nikon SB-700. This flash has a zoom function and covers 24mm to 120mm on an FX Nikon, 18mm to 120mm on a DX Nikon. It does this automatically and can tell if it's attached to an FX or DX camera.

As I recall, my SB-600 did not adjust its field of view correctly on a DX camera.

 

[Klaus dk]

The zoom settings are a way for the flash manufacturers to boost their guide numbers. In daily use, you'll only need the zoom setting if you use the flash on camera and pointing straight on (which is rarely a good idea), if you want to restrict the area you're bouncing off or if you want to fill a large modifier.

Different flashes react differently to sensor size.

OEM flash is overpriced. Buy good 3rd party flashes. Light is light. Check out why so many buy Godox.

Read The Strobist's 101, 102 and 103 on lighting, but don't fall for the all-manual arguments. If you're setting up for a shoot, manual is definitely the way to go, but for run-and-gun, TTL is invaluable.

Good luck and good light.

 

[kli]

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

Some do, some don't. Typically the OEM flashes can do it automatically, some of the 3rd parties might not.

But for most of us, this isn't particularly important, because the "zoom" FoV matching the focal length of the lens you're using only works if you're using direct flash. And almost nobody does that, since hard on-camera light is rarely pleasing.

A lot of us either bounce the flash (point the flash at a reflective surface to change the direction and scatter/diffuse the light), or use the flash off-camera. At which point, you use zoom not so much to match the lens, as to simply control the spread. And you're liable to put the zoom into manual and select a specific setting to get what you want.

 

[David1961]

But for most of us, this isn't particularly important, because the "zoom" FoV matching the focal length of the lens you're using only works if you're using direct flash. And almost nobody does that, since hard on-camera light is rarely pleasing.

Yes that is generally true but I often use direct flash when I need fill-light, especially outdoors during daytime.

 

[Bob]

Which model are you considering?

 

[Peekas Pics]

Your Nikon speedlight/flash should have in the settings a place to set it to dx or fx.

 

[Malli]

Thanks Everyone for your meaningful and practical suggestions.

There is so much information shared by you guys that helped me to change my view on using the Flash.

Based on suggestions I went through SB-700 manual and found out that SB-700 has settings which can adjust the Angle of Light based on DX or FX camera ; This is what I wanted even If I am going to use direct flash rarely; But this is useful in certain situations.

As suggested, it's better to use bounce flash or Diffuser; this should improove light tones on subjects.

Though I wished to buy Third party Flashes (Godox etc) to save money, but thinking about long term usage , durability and complete compatibility with Nikon FX/DX cameras I decided to stick with Nikon and placed order on Nikon SB-700 !!

Have a great day !!

 

[Malli]

Your Nikon speedlight/flash should have in the settings a place to set it to dx or fx.

Planning to buy SB-700 and user manual indicates it has those FX/DX settings. Cheers !

 

[Malli]

Which model are you considering?

Thanks Bob. On balancing everyone's suggestions, I decided to buy SB-700

 

[Malli]

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

Some do, some don't. Typically the OEM flashes can do it automatically, some of the 3rd parties might not.

But for most of us, this isn't particularly important, because the "zoom" FoV matching the focal length of the lens you're using only works if you're using direct flash. And almost nobody does that, since hard on-camera light is rarely pleasing.

A lot of us either bounce the flash (point the flash at a reflective surface to change the direction and scatter/diffuse the light), or use the flash off-camera. At which point, you use zoom not so much to match the lens, as to simply control the spread. And you're liable to put the zoom into manual and select a specific setting to get what you want.

Got it ! Bounce or diffuser should improve the pictures.

 

[Malli]

The zoom settings are a way for the flash manufacturers to boost their guide numbers. In daily use, you'll only need the zoom setting if you use the flash on camera and pointing straight on (which is rarely a good idea), if you want to restrict the area you're bouncing off or if you want to fill a large modifier.

Different flashes react differently to sensor size.

OEM flash is overpriced. Buy good 3rd party flashes. Light is light. Check out why so many buy Godox.

Read The Strobist's 101, 102 and 103 on lighting, but don't fall for the all-manual arguments. If you're setting up for a shoot, manual is definitely the way to go, but for run-and-gun, TTL is invaluable.

Good luck and good light.

Thanks Klaus dk for suggesting Bouncing .

Regarding Third party flashes, Yes I thought of Godox, but considering about long term usage etc I decided to stay with Nikon particularly SB-700.

Cheers !

 

[Malli]

Hello there,

I am planning to buy External Nikon Flash. Looking at the specifications I don't get information whether the Flash will adjust the 'Area/Angle of of light spread' depending on APS-C or Full frame camera.

I guess depending on type of camera on which Flash is mounted, most probably Flash will narrow or widen the flash area. As you know 18mm of APS-C is equal to 28mm of Full frame. Also I guess functionality must be based on type of camera ( FX or DX camera) , but not on lens type ( FX or DX lens).

Please share your thoughts.

I have a Nikon SB-700. This flash has a zoom function and covers 24mm to 120mm on an FX Nikon, 18mm to 120mm on a DX Nikon. It does this automatically and can tell if it's attached to an FX or DX camera.

As I recall, my SB-600 did not adjust its field of view correctly on a DX camera.

Hi Leonard , SB-700 manual indicates settings for DX or FX camera. In fact, i decided to go ahead with SB-700 !

 

[Bob]

Cool. That's a nice flash. It automatically zooms the head to match the focal length, which is what I think you wanted.

If your Nikon has Flash Commander Mode, then you can remote mount the flash.

For example, you can be 30 feet away from your subject, but you can put the flash right next to your subject and let your camera fire it remotely. This way, you get more light on your subject and not by limited by your flash's power.

 

[Michigan Sandman]

Congratulations. You bought a flash that will give you years of service. I have Nikkor Speedlights that are at least 25 years old that still work. The nice thing is you can take your flash off camera with a Nikon SC 28 or 29 sync cord. When you want to get more creative you can pick up a SB 26 and use it as a slave to your SB 700 main light. All these can be picked up reasonably on the used market, sometimes only being used one or two times.