10 things we learned…

There are lots of trick modes available in the Nikon flash system, and a few more tricks on the side

1 On the button

Not just for raising the pop-up flash, the flash button also enables you to select different flash modes, using either the pop-up flash or an external flashgun.

2 Red-eye reduction

This uses a burst of preflash light to narrow the pupils of your subject, to reduce or eliminate the red-eye effect that can spoil flashlit portraits.

3 Slow sync flash

With slow sync flash, flash is used at a slow shutter speed to give a better balance between flashlit subjects and dark backgrounds, or to freeze movement in low light.

4 Rear-curtain sync

Select this option and the flash fires at the end of the exposure instead of the beginning. It’s useful when you want to freeze the action at the end of a long exposure (see page 88 for more).

5 Auto FP

This is a ‘high speed sync’ flash mode, which enables the flashgun to be used at fast shutter speeds, albeit with a lower maximum flash power being available.

6 Repeating flash

Available in some flashguns as well as the pop-up flash of some upmarket D-SLRs, this programmable mode gives a stroboscopic effect during long exposures.

7 Diffusion dome

Some flashguns come with a diffusion dome, or you can buy one separately. They’re great for softening the light and creating a mix of direct and bounced flash.

8 Command module

The pop-up flash in most upmarket D-SLRs, such as the D7200, can be used as a wireless commander for triggering compatible remote flashguns in slave mode.

9 Spot on

To switch from TTL-BL (Balanced Light) to regular TTL mode (which takes less account of ambient lighting conditions), you often need to switch to the camera’s spot metering mode.

10 Faster recycling

NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries generally enable faster recycling speeds than alkaline batteries, especially after a high-power flash discharge.