? problem with PCT-100 and studio flash

[howe sim]

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--howe

 

[Tony37642]

Not familar with the Aurora 500w unit. Does it have any power adjustments at all? If not, all you can do is to dampen it down bu bouncing the light output into an umbrella or softbox and/or using a ND filter. I suppose moving the light away from the subject is not a viable option?
Tony

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe

 

[Tony37642]

How are you stopping the flash down to -2.0 using the camera? If you mean flash compensation, I think that only controls the internal flash, not the external studio flash. Did you try the smallest F stop, F8 or 9.5? This is a problem with pro-consumer and consumer digital camera lenses, as well as greater DOF.
Tony

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe

 

[howe sim]

i solved the problem. i realized after some playing around that i had to put the camera into MANUAL mode (as opposed to programmed, aperture-priority, shutter-priority).

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe

--howe

 

[Bryan Biggers]

i solved the problem. i realized after some playing around that i
had to put the camera into MANUAL mode (as opposed to programmed,
aperture-priority, shutter-priority).

Yes that is right, the PCT-100 is meant to be used in full manual mode in a studio. You set the aperture to control the exposure, and pick a shutter speed that is fast enough that the ambient light does not contribute to your exposure (usually). The camera does not "know" that there is a flash attached with the PCT-100, so you have to set everything yourself including the screen brightness.

Bryan

 

[newsposter]

There are any number of hand-held exposure meters that will attach to the sync cable for studio fhashes.

This way you KNOW what the exposure shoudl be for a camera in manual mode. No sense guessing.

Personally, I use a Minolta IVf.

 

[Dominic Chan]

With the ability to play back instantanteously with a histogram display, I don't see the need for exposure meters. With exposure meters, one would still have to rely on the accuracy of the camera's aperture settings, the effect of filters, etc. Playing back the actual picture taken eliminates these uncertainties.

There are any number of hand-held exposure meters that will attach
to the sync cable for studio fhashes.

This way you KNOW what the exposure shoudl be for a camera in
manual mode. No sense guessing.

Personally, I use a Minolta IVf.

 

[sean mangus]

Yes, I have... and what I did was, return the camera, and everything I got for it. I waited for a month to get the pct-100. Used it once and found out the camera sucks. Since day 1, I have had nothing but problems, from the first time I put the batteries in the camera , only for them to run out in 10min, and I am being kind to say 10 minutes. That should tell you. Picked up the canon pwr shot g-2. The lower mega pixels, didn't change a thing for me. The compression on canon is better. battery life, too many things to list. Minolta should do a recall on that camera, it is the worst thing I have put my hands. It's not always the pixels, it's the compression....

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe

 

[timmiller]

lol, you are using your camera in full manual mode aren't you? It sounds like you are using it in P mode or something. Studio lights are full manual lights. You set your camera to manual, use a flash meter and go. On my 445ws novatrons I find that the perfect exposure is 1/750 sec at f/9.5 and the pics are perfect every time.

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe

 

[Tony37642]

Sean, I am very happy you found the camera you liked and can work with. The D7 is not for everyone. I too have the Canon G1 and love it. When the Canon Pro90IS came out, I bought it but could not live with some of its "features" so I got the D7 and love it even more than the G1. I feel as if I am back in full control of my photography instead of letting the camera so all the decision making. So it is a very personal thing about which camera is right for an individual. Go and enjoy your G2 as it also is a fine camera!
Tony

many thanks to those who suggested i format my memory card using
the PC (rather than camera) and deleting the DCIM folder, in order
to try to install the new firmware (122). it worked!

however, now that i've taken several shots using my strobe (an
aurora, 500W unit), i see that all my photos are grossly
overexposed. some so much so that all i see is white light. i've
already tried to stop down the flash to -2.0 using the camera. but
still all photos terribly overexposed.

has anyone else encountered this situation? if so what can i do?

--
howe