Flash custom setup

In the Custom Settings menu, the Bracketing/flash sub-menu enables you to change many options…

E1 Flash sync speed

Also known as Auto FP mode, this setting enables you to remove the flash speed limit on your camera. Set the camera to the highest shutter speed setting with Auto FP by it. On many cameras this is 1/200 (Auto FP). Set this once and there is no need to revisit this menu setting.

e2 Flash shutter speed

This option determines the slowest shutter speed available when using front or rear-curtain flash or red-eye reduction in P or A shooting modes. The default is 1/60 sec

E3 Exposure comp. for flash

Determines how the flash level works when exposure compensation is used. It’s not usually changed unless you have a specific creative intention in mind.

Entire frame: Will adjust both the flash level and exposure compensation to modify exposure over the entire frame.

Background only: Exposure compensation applies to background only.

E4 Auto flash ISO sensitivity control

Choose the reference subject used to set exposure when flash is used with auto ISO sensitivity control.

Subject and background: The camera takes both the main subject and background lighting into account when adjusting ISO sensitivity. The ISO sensitivity will be raised to prevent blurring in shots taken with slow sync.

Subject only: ISO sensitivity is adjusted only to ensure that the main subject is correctly exposed.

E5 Modelling flash

When used with a Speedlight that supports Nikon’s Creative Lighting

System, the Speedlight emits a burst of light that acts as modelling flash to allow you to visualize potential shadows in the image. If used with multiple Speedlights, all emit the modelling flash. You will also need to assign the Preview function to a button via the Custom Controls setting. Note: These settings are from a Z 7II, not all cameras will have the same options.

ambient light in the scene, control this by raising your ISO or lowering your shutter speed. You might need a tripod if the shutter speed becomes too slow to avoid introducing camera shake.

Change your aperture to achieve the exact depth of field you require. This technique for setting an ambient light exposure works everywhere and with varying light levels. I often build from a completely dark reference frame (deliberately underexposed), this means that the only light in the scene will be from my flash, which means I have complete control over the light direction as well as the quantity, quality and colour of the light that will illuminate my subject.

Fill flash is the standard way to use flash. It can be used to eliminate harsh shadows on a face or stop your subject from becoming a silhouette if you are shooting with a backlit subject. The camera settings give you the ambient light exposure while the flash illuminates your subject. TTL flash will automatically work out the power of the flash required for your subject and is usually very accurate. Sometimes you will need to use Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) to fine-tune the output from the flash. If the TTL flash exposure is not bright enough, or has overexposed your subject, you can tweak the flash output up or down using flash exposure compensation controls.