New Elinchrom 600RX's need help please

[bryanpritchard]

New Elinchrom 600RX's need help please


Ok got the studio up and Im using a Nikon D200 at this time...My question is I am shooting in Manual and I dont understand what speed I should be shootng on? I think my Camera is 60 and 250 Sync Speed so should I put my camera on say 60 or 250 for the speed? and then adjust the F stops?
I have a Seiko 758DR and I can meter with it
Please any help would be appreciated
I know I need to get a book did som epics last night and they look great but Im not confident at this point.

Also how hogh should the Umbrellas be and how close? The umbrellas are 32" I bought the Elinchrom Kit and plan to buy the 53" Octa and strip soft boxes in a month but need to master these umbrellas first.

Thanks
Thanks Bryan

[Brooks]

Bryan,

If the "synch speed" for your camera is 1/250 sec, that is the fastest shutter speed that the camera will synch with flash. You can synch at that speed or ANY SLOWER shutter speed. In the studio there's seldom any reason to synch at that fast a shutter speed. Try using 1/60th sec.

Adjust your f-stops and the power setting of your strobes for the correct exposure. You can use any shutter speed slower than 1/250 sec. because the shutter speed only matters in flash photograpy if you need to control or include any ambient light in the scene. Too slow a shutter speed might record ambient light from your modeling lamps and any other continuous light in the room. Make it easy for yourself and use 1/60 sec.

Position your umbrellas where you see the light and shadows fall the way you want on your subject. I'm assuming you're shooting a portrait or person(s)? A 32" umbrella is rather small so if you want soft light position it close to your subject. If you want a hard light position it farther from the subject. If you want a really soft light you'll have to use a larger light source. Either shoot the light through a large diffusion panel, buy a larger shoot-through umbrella or a larger softbox. A really nice light can be had by shooting an umbrella or softbox through two large diffusion panels, spaced a couple of feet apart.

Try to not fall into the beginner's trap of positioning one light on each side of the subject. Start off with one light and a fill reflector and if you feel you have to use a second light, use it to light the background or from above and behind as a hair/separation light.

[bryanpritchard]

Thanks so much for taking time to explain this to me.
I do have one more question please. Ho high should I have the Umbrellas? I was noticing that my childs eyes were not as bright as I want them and I have them raised to about 9 ft should I lower?
Thanks

Bryan

[Brooks]

Lower the light until you see what you want. You've got to learn to see the light for yourself as you position the lighting and before you take the picture. All it takes is practice looking for the highlights and shadows.

9 ft seems pretty high even for a standing adult.

[JimH]

Originally Posted by bryanpritchard

My question is I am shooting in Manual and I dont understand what speed I should be shootng on? I think my Camera is 60 and 250 Sync Speed so should I put my camera on say 60 or 250 for the speed? and then adjust the F stops? I have a Seiko 758DR and I can meter with it

In addition to brook's info - you need to meter the light for the shutter speed you plan on using.

Say you want to shoot f/11 at 1/125. Set the meter into flash mode at 1/125 and pop the main (you will probably have to use a cable attached from the light to the meter unless you have wireless) with the meter aimed at it from the position your subject will be sitting. Repeat until you get your f/11 value. If you use the other light as a fill, try one full stop under. Same as before, aim the meter at the fill, and adjust until you reach f/8. That is a starting point but by no means an absolute.

Read through Benji's tut on the evolution of a portrait shoot. that will help too.

[Harry]

As far as how high, try the flash head at about 18" higher than the subjects eyes, adjust to suit your liking from there. You will find that some lighting effects work well with the bottom of the light modifier, umbrella/softbox, at the shoulder level of the subject.

[bryanpritchard]

Thanks guys you all are a wealth of information!!
Thanks

Bryan

[euglan]

hi there
i have the d200 and elinchrom style 6oo rx's, the d200 syncs at 1/125th but as said before can go any lower than that for mixing with ambient light

[Hawk911]

I synch at 1/160th consistently on the D4 kit. Won't usually get any faster than that.