D200 w/SB800 washing out shots!

AngelMorales · #1 09-19-2006, 01:28 AM

Hey,
I was wondering if anyone else is having a similar problem with their D200 washing out skin tones with the SB800, in shutter priority mode. I am shooting with the 17-55, ASA usually 100 and sometimes 400. I noticed that pic's that appear alright on the LCD, do not always appear that way on the computer monitor and appear to be washed out and not salvageable. Also, I am shooting L jpeg, fine. Don't know if I would have this problem with Raw, but only one way to find out. Next time I am shooting only Raw. Wanted to save time and space and chose to shoot jpeg's. Think that that was a bad decision. Note: shutter usually shot slow when shooting in dark interior dance rooms at 15-30th sec and f/stop usually around 3.2.
Also, bouncing most of the time and shooting with the Tofen diffuser or equilivent dome that comes with the flash, pointed straight up at a slight angle forward to subject, 5-10 degrees.

What shooting mode is everyone else shooting with in similar situations and are you checking histogram all the time?
TIA!
-Angel

David_Buzzard · #2 09-19-2006, 03:25 PM

Can you post up an image? I'm not sure what "washing out" is.

David Buzzard

larry_angier · #3 09-19-2006, 03:27 PM

Hi Angel,

I've had similar problems. Check you 800. Is it on BL? Run regular TTL.

If you are on shutter priority, the ambient lighting may be such that it is opening the lens all the way, thus you are too close. You may want to run aperture priority (you can set the minimum shutter speed of the camera) or run full manual.

My usual setting for the SB800 on my D200 and D2x is to set the aperture about 5.6 or 8 and let the shutter go where it may or to run full manual exposure.

I like the historgram and the "blinkies" display so much for exposure confirmation, that I have the monitor come on after every pix for convenience. It drains the battery down to where I only get 400-600 pix, but I know that they aren't fried with the flash.

Give it a try and see how going aperture priority works for your flash.

Hope this helps,

AngelMorales · #4 09-19-2006, 11:36 PM

Hey,
Thanks for the reply! I will try using the SB800/D200 combo, on aperture priority.
Note: Washed out means blown areas of skin tones, where there is non recoverable information, no matter what I use. Just not a working or useable image. Thanks again!
-Angel

Mike_Guilbault · #5 09-19-2006, 11:42 PM

I usually shoot flash with the camera on manual and I find that the flash set to -2/3 to -1 works quite well. Camera is set to 1/40th at 5.6 in most indoor situations. If it's washing out, it's usually because I'm too close. Use a longer lens (or zoom) and step back a few feet.

larry_angier · #6 09-19-2006, 11:59 PM

Hi Angel,

Thought of another fix for you.

Try using the diffuser over the lens. That will cut down quite a bit on the output of the flash and soften the light in the process.

HTH,

AngelMorales · #7 09-20-2006, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_angier

Hi Angel,

Thought of another fix for you.

Try using the diffuser over the lens. That will cut down quite a bit on the output of the flash and soften the light in the process.

HTH,

As opposed to bouncing the flash? Ceiling heights vary obviously and that can make a difference too. The last place had about 10 foot celings. So you are saying to try pointing the flash directly at the subject with the omni bounce mounted on the flash? I just tried some experiments with the flash to see if there is any improvement with the settings. I need to work though, in a similarly lit situation. TIA!
-Angel

Pro Photo Store

Visit the B&H Pro Photo Store for the best Gear Prices and regular specials!

Brilliant Color for any Digital SLR
White Balance Cap
The Pros Agree on ColorRight
What People Are Saying