Speedlites and softboxes, what camera settings for them?

[Blind Bruce]

I am still thinking about buying a speedlite and softbox to illuminate my models white dress against my white background. I understand about the model being several feet in front of the background and the camera and speedlite somewhat closer to grey out the background.
Now.... D7200 settings. Matrix or spot metering? Which exposure priority? Can I use a softbox on the cameras built in flash? Where do I set the flash for TTL (or should I)?

 

[tirediron]

Assuming you're using a single off-camera speedlight & modifier, than your camera's metering mode doesn't matter. The camera and flash should both be in manual with your shutter speed set at or below your sync speed (1/250 IIRC) and the aperture set based on using the guide-number exposure calculator.

You can get micro softboxes for the pop-up flashes but they're pointless. You will get just as much, if not more benefit by dropping a translucent Tupperware bowl over it.

 

[minister]

I also faced similar kind of question when i started out in product photography, but its all started with trial and error.
I would suggest just start with whatever you have and try to improve from there.
IMO its the best method

 

[fmw]

I agree with minister. Since you can view your image immediately after the shutter closes just set the shutter speed to the synch speed and then try different apertures until you get the exposure you want. The alternative is to buy a flash meter but I don't think that is important for you. In the old film days we used polaroid packs and flash meters. Much simpler today in the digital domain.

 

[astroNikon]

I did the same thing
Single speed light - aperture f/4-5.6
Shutter under sync speed
ISO 200 becz my light meter only goes down to 200
Then set the lighting speed light at the appropriate exposure for my settings
Then you can start played around with other settings
Then I added a 2nd and 3rd light
Then a 4th light
Better umbrellas to softboxes to multi diffuser softboxes

Better and better as you learn more
There's some great books on all of it and all the help here