Help with a Nikon SB-600

[medicjch]

I've had my flash for a while and while I've been happy with the results I feel I could do a little better if I learned more about it. I figure some of you can help....

1) What does the zoom mean/do?

2)What is that number in the upper right corner? I ususally have it set at -0.7, but I just don't understand how to adjust it/or which way to adjust it.

Thanks for any help!

 

[handicap18]

1) The zoom on the flash will zoom in and out based on your lens. The zoom on the flash will only zoom (IIRC) from 24mm to 85mm. So lets say your using the 18-70mm lens and you take a flash picture zoomed out to 18mm on your lens, the flash will zoom out to 24mm to help distribute the light better. If you zoom your lens up to 70mm, the flash will in turn zoom in to 70mm too to help compensate for your distance.

2) the numbers in the upper right are flash power. if it is at 0.0 then it is at regular power, anything with a - (ie: -0.7) then it is using less than regular power and it drops in 1/3 increments. (0.7 is 2/3rds, 1.7 is 1 2/3rds, etc). If it is + then the flash is adding more light, also adjusting in 1/3 increments.

 

[JoeDif]

To learn more how to use your flash, check out Strobist. It has an amazing wealth of information on using a flash

 

[wenrob]

1) The zoom on the flash will zoom in and out based on your lens. The zoom on the flash will only zoom (IIRC) from 24mm to 85mm. So lets say your using the 18-70mm lens and you take a flash picture zoomed out to 18mm on your lens, the flash will zoom out to 24mm to help distribute the light better. If you zoom your lens up to 70mm, the flash will in turn zoom in to 70mm too to help compensate for your distance.

2) the numbers in the upper right are flash power. if it is at 0.0 then it is at regular power, anything with a - (ie: -0.7) then it is using less than regular power and it drops in 1/3 increments. (0.7 is 2/3rds, 1.7 is 1 2/3rds, etc). If it is + then the flash is adding more light, also adjusting in 1/3 increments.

What he said.

Also read, read, read. Flash seems like it would be easy but it actually takes a bit of work. I suggest trying everything the manual suggests to get a feel for things and then reading everything you can about flash.

 

[GrillMouster]

I don't mean for this to sound insulting, but have you read the manual?

 

[medicjch]

Thanks everyone for the replies, and yes, I have read the manual. I'm just a "hands on" learner especially with the camera. Sometimes I need a "plain english" explanation to make me say "d'oh, now I get it".