D 90 question.

timebom · 09-04-2009, 10:39 AM

So we are using a D90 in our portrait studio and I am having a problem I can not easily diagnose. We basically have to shoot two of every shot as the pics tend to alternate Dark/Correct exposure.
Here is how I have the camera set.
Dial: M
White Balance: Flash
Flashes: Alien Bee 800 (4) slaved to the body flash, that is turned all the way down. -3
ISO:1600
F: 14~18 depending on subject/lighting/backdrop
Speed: 100
Active D-Lighting: Off
Picture Control: Portrait

I have tried to lock everything down/off to make sure its in full manual mode, but feel I have missed something like Bracketing or something as the shots consistently alternate dark then next one correct exposure. Any thoughts on what other buttons I can push? lol

jezterr · 09-04-2009, 10:49 AM

with strobes, your iso doesn't need to be so high, which can be contributing sensitivity to the slight variations in the power of the strobes. there's no reason you shouldn't be shooting at iso 100.

check your connections, too. alien bees strobes tend to be inconsistent.

timebom · 09-04-2009, 11:12 AM

I thought my iso was pretty high, but it balanced with everything. lol If I lower it I need to reset f stop and I need some ball park figures to start with. I have done a lot of just shooting with it and the problem is very consistent, so I think setting rather than flash..
I did find Auto Bracketing set: AE & Flash..
I have read most the book, but dang the menu and settings are deep and a lot of em. Some days I really miss my old k1000 lol

The #1 Dad · 09-04-2009, 11:45 PM

is your bracketing indication showing up on the upper display?

eric · 09-07-2009, 08:30 AM

First, I'd hold down the two buttons with green dots next to them to reset everything. Then as JR said, lower your ISO (but to 200, that's the native ISO.) Then get your manual settings again and try again. If it still happens I assume it's the strobes since they're set to manual.

timebom · 09-09-2009, 01:42 PM

Strobes are slaved to the camera flash. I did spend some time testing them and they seem to work pretty consistent but.. more testing couldnt hurt.
No Bracketing displayed on the upper display.
Going to reset iso and play with that. honestly there is alot of setting that have to be messed with to be in a full true manual mode. the dial M just isnt cutting it for turning some auto things off.
Thank you for the suggestions. This will work correctly soon!

ok, went through and reset everything. that seemed to fix the exposure problem.
Now setting
speed: 200
f stop: 24 "wow"
iso : 200

Its running really stable now. Thank you
only complaint is now the depth of field is large and the backgrounds are captured with too much detail. I like a shallow depth in the studio, but that's just more to play with.

Thanks

jezterr · 09-09-2009, 02:18 PM

at this point, invest in a neutral density filter to help bring back the depth of field.

or turn down your strobes.

timebom · 09-09-2009, 04:48 PM

Blinded by the light! lol
Going to play with a few things. Just cant mess things up to badly when customers are waiting. lol thats what after hours is for.

Thank you.

09-09-2009, 01:42 PM	#6
timebom Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 From: Central Washington	Strobes are slaved to the camera flash. I did spend some time testing them and they seem to work pretty consistent but.. more testing couldnt hurt. No Bracketing displayed on the upper display. Going to reset iso and play with that. honestly there is alot of setting that have to be messed with to be in a full true manual mode. the dial M just isnt cutting it for turning some auto things off. Thank you for the suggestions. This will work correctly soon! ok, went through and reset everything. that seemed to fix the exposure problem. Now setting speed: 200 f stop: 24 "wow" iso : 200 Its running really stable now. Thank you only complaint is now the depth of field is large and the backgrounds are captured with too much detail. I like a shallow depth in the studio, but that's just more to play with. Thanks Last edited by timebom; 09-09-2009 at 02:12 PM.

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09-04-2009, 10:39 AM	#1
timebom Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 From: Central Washington	D 90 question. So we are using a D90 in our portrait studio and I am having a problem I can not easily diagnose. We basically have to shoot two of every shot as the pics tend to alternate Dark/Correct exposure. Here is how I have the camera set. Dial: M White Balance: Flash Flashes: Alien Bee 800 (4) slaved to the body flash, that is turned all the way down. -3 ISO:1600 F: 14~18 depending on subject/lighting/backdrop Speed: 100 Active D-Lighting: Off Picture Control: Portrait I have tried to lock everything down/off to make sure its in full manual mode, but feel I have missed something like Bracketing or something as the shots consistently alternate dark then next one correct exposure. Any thoughts on what other buttons I can push? lol

09-04-2009, 10:49 AM	#2
jezterr Moderator Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 755 From: a cesspit. My Camera: disposable	with strobes, your iso doesn't need to be so high, which can be contributing sensitivity to the slight variations in the power of the strobes. there's no reason you shouldn't be shooting at iso 100. check your connections, too. alien bees strobes tend to be inconsistent.

09-04-2009, 11:12 AM	#3
timebom Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 From: Central Washington	I thought my iso was pretty high, but it balanced with everything. lol If I lower it I need to reset f stop and I need some ball park figures to start with. I have done a lot of just shooting with it and the problem is very consistent, so I think setting rather than flash.. I did find Auto Bracketing set: AE & Flash.. I have read most the book, but dang the menu and settings are deep and a lot of em. Some days I really miss my old k1000 lol

09-04-2009, 11:45 PM	#4
The #1 Dad Senior Member Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 227 From: Oly	is your bracketing indication showing up on the upper display?

09-07-2009, 08:30 AM	#5
eric Senior Member Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 487 From: Seattle	First, I'd hold down the two buttons with green dots next to them to reset everything. Then as JR said, lower your ISO (but to 200, that's the native ISO.) Then get your manual settings again and try again. If it still happens I assume it's the strobes since they're set to manual.

09-09-2009, 02:18 PM	#7
jezterr Moderator Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 755 From: a cesspit. My Camera: disposable	at this point, invest in a neutral density filter to help bring back the depth of field. or turn down your strobes.

09-09-2009, 04:48 PM	#8
timebom Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 From: Central Washington	Blinded by the light! lol Going to play with a few things. Just cant mess things up to badly when customers are waiting. lol thats what after hours is for. Thank you.