300 Bucks

[flatflip]

how do you bounce it off the wall if its on the hotshoe and the lens is aimed at your subject?

The flash head swivels 90' up and down, 180' left and right.

 

[bumpylemon]

how do you bounce it off the wall if its on the hotshoe and the lens is aimed at your subject?

The flash head swivels 90' up and down, 180' left and right.

ha well that solves that issue. looks like ill get that with the other recommended lens! thanks flatflip!

 

[rainking]

SB-600. Bounce the light from the ceiling. It has transformed my indoor shots. It's amazing. I wish that was the first thing I got.

 

[flatflip]

I'm not very good and I just got my flash but I'll show you what it did with and without flash. This was with no additional room lighting (just the outside window light). Then with the flash directly at 12 foot off-white ceiling.

 

[bumpylemon]

Wow. Thanks for that reference picture

 

[pgriz]

Some of the things you learn, either by experience or from good teachers:
1) Small light sources (on-camera, direct flash; direct sun) give harsh shadows.
2) Small light sources pointed down the camera axis (hot-shoe flash pointed forward, bright sun directly behind photographer) gives flat, harsh lighting.
3) Large light sources (lightboxes, bounce flash, overcast sky) give gentle or minimal shadows.
4) Light sources away from subject/camera axis give more definition, more 3D shape.
So…
Start with using your flash in bounce mode. It uses up a lot of light, but it gives a much more pleasant look since the light source is large, and away from the subject/camera axis. Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll want to explore off-camera flash with diffusers, and then, multiple flashes.

 

[flatflip]

Some of the things you learn, either by experience or from good teachers:
1) Small light sources (on-camera, direct flash; direct sun) give harsh shadows.
2) Small light sources pointed down the camera axis (hot-shoe flash pointed forward, bright sun directly behind photographer) gives flat, harsh lighting.
3) Large light sources (lightboxes, bounce flash, overcast sky) give gentle or minimal shadows.
4) Light sources away from subject/camera axis give more definition, more 3D shape.
So…
Start with using your flash in bounce mode. It uses up a lot of light, but it gives a much more pleasant look since the light source is large, and away from the subject/camera axis. Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll want to explore off-camera flash with diffusers, and then, multiple flashes.

I like that! Thanks

 

[sanpan]

I think I have seen a video where the SB400 can rotate towards the ceiling....don't know if it can turn left / right though.

 

[sanpan]

YouTube - NikonCorporation's Channel

Check 1:05 of this video.

 

[robb01]

flatflip - do you have a photo w/ just the on camera flash in the same room. Think that would make an interesting comparison as well

 

[itf]

i have the 35mm f/1.8 and i feel like it's not long enough for a good portrait lens. For 300, you can probably get a used 85mm f/1.8

 

[bumpylemon]

I have the 85mm micro already. Yeah a, picture with the stock flasflash would be helpful as well. i like 50mm people posted in here. the sharpness is great

 

[flatflip]

flatflip - do you have a photo w/ just the on camera flash in the same room. Think that would make an interesting comparison as well

No, that would be cool though. I wish I would have at least flipped the flash head to 90' straight on. That would only take a second to test and compare.

There were about 20 people in my aunts house for Christmas dinner and I was just wanting to take pictures of her house (Bed & Breakfast). I was lucky to get that pic. They have an awesome library complete with brass rail and oak ladder. I couldn't get in there for the folks.

 

[o hey tyler]

An ounce of grass.

 

[kundalini]

Alright I have 300 bucks to spend. .......But i also want to get into portraits. thanks for your imput!

Without reading the other responses, a flash. SB-600 is very good, SB-800 is even better. Sorry, but the SB-800 will be used.






Hotshoe mounted SB-800 firing off the lower kitchen ceiling in TTL mode at ~60° tilt. 31 heads in the frame.