TTL Flash

[designs by krista]

Can someone please explain this to me? I think I totally misunderstood what it means. I have the Panasonic FZ50 ~ I bought it just because it has TTL flash capability. So I bought the quite expensive Panasonic flash to go with the camera:duh I thought that I would just put the flash on and the camera and flash communicate so the amount of flash would be just right. Well, I am so disappointed because it's not working that way ~ some are too bright and some too dark and a very few just right. So did I misunderstand or am I doing something wrong??

[Kim2002]

Hey Krista....let's see if I can give you a quick crash course on using an external flash. First, and foremost, you need to have the camera set to manual exposure and be sure the shutter speed is the proper sync setting for the flash. Most flashes sync at 1/60th. If you set it at the wrong speed, then part of your picture will be black.

Next, you need to determine how much power you want. If you are relatively close to your subject, then you don't necessarily need full power flash. HOWEVER, if you choose to bounce the flash (in order to achieve a more natural lighting appearance without red eyes), then full power would be needed as bouncing causes light fall-off as it hits the bounce card and then back onto your subject.

Next, you need to set your aperature setting on both the camera and the flash. If you are shooting with your flash straight on (not bouncing), then I would recommend setting the aperature on your camera to the same setting as the aperature on the flash. If you do decide to bounce the flash, then I would go 1.5 stops hotter on the flash to compensate for the fall-off.

Long story short.....set your camera aperature to F 5.6 and your flash to F 5.6 at 3/4 power if you are relatively close to your subject. If you are bouncing the flash, set your camera to F 5.6 and your flash to the dash line between F8 and F11 to give a bit more boost to compensate for the falloff.

Hope that wasn't too much Greek for ya.

[designs by krista]

Well poo ~ I guess I just totally misunderstood TTL. I thought the camera would tell the flash what to do :blush and I would just have to pop it on the camera and have perfect flash pictures:(

Thanks Kim

[michelle pearson]

As my understanding.... ETTL is same as your camara.. You can not use it with manual.. P mode is best.. When you put it in manual then you need to put the flash in manual..

That is what I am understanding...