cass: using local gives you full control over the focal point instead of the camera choosing them. Sometimes using a dimmer aperture isnt a bad thing, it makes your image a tad sharper, lesser vignette in some lenses, lesser CA. Open up all the way to 3.5 of coz gives u more light, but if u learn how to fully utilize your cam and lens combo, then only will u know how to handle situations into getting which subject sharpness to your liking

This post has been edited by lwliam: May 12 2010, 02:36 PM

Try about 5.6 with a diffused flash at 400, aybe 800 if its really dim.

haha, bro, there ntg much to be taught if you're already using the portrait mode settings. Just raise your camera to the model's face, half press the shutter button, wait for the 'beep' and fully press the said button

it depends on ceiling height, ambient light, with or without bounce card, with or without stofen and area of coverage by flash.

cass: during the times when i had no flash, i made a DIY diffuser for my pop up flash using milk bottle plastics.

i used something sturdier so it can last longer than tissue paper. There are tonnes of DIY tricks out there on the web. Try look at some of them, it might appeal to you.

If ceiling is low enough or there's a nearby wall, i'd bounce it, normally at the angle where the reflected flash will fall on the subject (not neccesarily be 45 degs). If subject's too far for flash to properly light up even with direct stofen, i'd take the stofen off and fire bare flash, controlling the power manually coupled with combi of aperture size and shutter speed.

i think what got u into that misconception is when the batt is starting to wear out. it will then start to recharge the flash capacitor slower than usual. Then of coz a higher maH would benefit more coz it can hold on to the faster charging rate better than lower maH's batts

i used IKEA ones before and they're quite decent for the price you're paying.. I can shoot a stage event with 1 set of them yellows for 3 hours straight

IKEA - RM9.90 for forgot either 8 or 10 pcs

if u dont want to read manual, then at least read some online tutorials/tips and tricks. Its how i learn everything from scratch..

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Added on May 12, 2010, 5:02 pm7.90 ka? Ohh, 9.90 was for 'first choice' brand, 12pcs, that one also not bad, but AA now a bit hard to find nowadays.

This post has been edited by lwliam: May 12 2010, 05:04 PM

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT USE TESCO ONES... Extremely bad.. half power flash, i only manage 5 blasts.. Tried 2 new diff sets of batts

8.90 ka? Hahaha somewhere around there la.. At least moo and i were both off by RM1 each.. Hehe

flash bulb terus poof! Hahaha..

when i tried tesco ones and it nearly jeopardized my shooting (was for a client some more) i vowed never to use shopping brand batteries anymore apart from ikea. First Choice is still ok, jz that its hard to find the 12 packs one, now they have 18 packs for like RM16 IINM

hazril, got.. The packaging is purple and beige..

care for the environment, use rechargeable batteries please, people... Alkalines are ONLY for backup in case your main batts run out of juice mid-shoot

hazril, they have it in Tesco, Guardian, Watson, 7-11 etc..

I used to have 4 sets of rechargeables... Then 2 sets ko d, and then i bought another set of eneloops.. Then another set of eneloop not yet collect from my fren..

This post has been edited by lwliam: May 12 2010, 05:37 PM

my 4pcs of 2500 maH sony, blue orange ones.. Gave up on me after nearly 2 years of heavy charging and discharging.

clive, my original set was GP with charger, charger still using till now, sony batts bought 4 pcs for 80+ IINM, quite some time d, from lowyat plaza.

Yeah got both ur pm, cant open the links yet. All the while been using phone to online.