Exposure Compensation on camera when using flash

[Digital]

I have a Nikon D300. When using a speedlight flash (e.g. Nikon SB - 600) in aperture priority mode, does changing the exposure compensation on the camera affect the output of the flash?
Thanks for your assistance.


Bruce

[The Blue Boy]

Hi Bruce,

Yes it does. If you look at the screen on the back of the flash unit (I don't have the SB 600) you'll see the values change as you add or decrease EC. This is in TTL and TTL BL modes.

I should add that I've just had to check this on my D300s and SB 700. When using flash I normally go to full manual mode.

[Polar01]

Bruce: I believe that it does affect the output, If you had the D4 or D600 you could go into the menu select e4 which will allow to adjust the exposure compensation however it does not affect the output from the flash. I myself do not use flash however I am going to try some flash this weekend.

Cheers:

Allan

[Digital]

Thanks Mark, and Allan for your response. This explains a video I saw recently.



Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Bruce,

Another way of explaining it is that the total exposure compensation is the combined settings of it on the speed light and the camera body.

[Digital]

Bruce,

Another way of explaining it is that the total exposure compensation is the combined settings of it on the speed light and the camera body.

Thanks Mike for your input. What you related makes total sense.
I have just finished experimenting with my camera, and flash. I see how changing the EC either increases, or decreases the total exposure of both the subject, and background (ambient light).
What would have been more appropriate is to have conducted tests on my equipment before I asked my question to CiC.
DUH

Bruce

[Colin Southern]

Just keep in mind that this is a significant difference between Nikon & Canon.

With Canon, changing EC has no effect on Flash output.

I think I read that the Nikon D4 changed to this as well? (Or it was an option), but I could be wrong.

[Digital]

Just keep in mind that this is a significant difference between Nikon & Canon.

With Canon, changing EC has no effect on Flash output.

I think I read that the Nikon D4 changed to this as well? (Or it was an option), but I could be wrong.

Colin, although I am a avid Nikon user, I like how Canon set up the EC in relation to a flash.

Bruce

[Polar01]

Colin: yes the D4, D600, and D7100 allow you dial in exposure compensation.

Cheers:

Allan

[rpcrowe]

This Adorama TV video is a pretty straightforward explanation of adjusting flash outdoors and how Canon cameras differ in this respect from Nikon and other cameras...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEnAhkL0i38

I also have FEC (flash exposure compensation) as well as exposure compensation capability on my Canon cameras...

[pnodrog]

With a D200 taking interior shots with windows with outside views I often have the camera set to -2.0 exposure compensation for the camera to not over expose the outside scene and +3 or +4 compensation on the flash(SB-600 + slave flash on occasions)) to correctly light the interior. Usually using aperture priority.