Flash photography

If you plan to shoot weddings with your M5 or M6, the 430EX III RT $300 list, $200 eBay price is your best bet.

“Why not just use the built in flash?” You should, but if you find your shots aren’t turning out the way you want, or want to do something the built in flash can’t, then it is time to look into a speedlite. Any built in flash is limited in coverage, power or guide number and no built in flash can change tilt or direction. The built in flash also relies on the cameras battery so using the flash will reduce the number of shots per charge. If you plan to use the flash a lot, an accessory speedlite is the best way to go.

“Isn’t bigger and more expensive better?”
Bigger and more expensive = bigger and more expensive. The bigger and pricier flash will be heavier, bulkier, have more features, but these feature may seldom or never be used by you. One of the main reasons to shoot a M camera is the size, so why get a flash bigger and heavier than your camera?

There are five main flashes you can use with your M camera. The main differentiators are size, price, and recycle time. The size of the 600 EX II RT is substantially larger than the any M body itself. Prices range from $150-$480. If you are shooting a wedding, the fastest recycle times are really required so you don’t miss a shot. If not, slower recycle times are usually no problem. The roman numeral is just what version or update of this particular model is. The RT is for radio transmission meaning blah blah.

Main specs to understand: Coverage, recycle time, guide number,

1. Coverage is the width of the light burst measured with respect to a full frame lens focal length. In reality, I’ve found that the widest lens you have, usually a full frame 20mm or 24mm isn’t even really necessary. Why? Most photographers usually flash people at a wedding or other event when there is not enough natural light and don’t need a 20mm-24mm width of coverage. You can also turn your flash head to point at the important subject using the rule of thirds.

Other specs: Number of batteries, almost always 2 or 4 AA batteries.

600 EX II RT $479

430EX III RT $300

320EX $250 The main differentiating feature is the video light.

270EX II $169 The best buy and flash I recommend for most flash work with your M.

90EX $150 This flash was introduced with the original M back in 2011? but for the extra $20 you can get a 270EX II and get: zoom and bounce capability, upgrade from two AAA batteries to two AA batteries.

Which one is best for the M? This depends on what you want your flash to do.

One of the few accessories for a camera gets very little press. Most people may think that the built in flash is adequate for most flash photography, but an accessory flash allows the photographer to do many creative photographs.

The Nikon SB-24 introduced in 1988 is what started the flash technology explosion that is still with us today. It was called Matrix Balanced Fill Flash. The Nikon 8008 and SB-24 was the camera and flash combo that started it all. You could autofocus in total darkness and auto expose with fill flash perfectly every time. It was a huge leap forward that we take for granted today.

Creativity: Beyond just needing extra light to take a portrait or wedding shot, why use a speedlite? Landscape photographers generally put there gear away after the sun sets. Using a speedlite opens up a whole new world of creativity that most don’t know exist. Why? At night, we can’t see what the speedlite will illuminate. Take a look at these shots:

(blah blah insert speed light landscape from death valley)

You can control your flash from your camera, here’s a couple of things I recommend: