Flash photography advice for film

nerwin · 2024-12-20T15:43:48-0600

I been thinking about using my film camera to take some photos at my family's christmas party next week. Its been a LONG time since I have used a flash and when I did it was all automatic. So what I have here is a Nikkormat FTN with no functional meter. But I am not sure a meter will even be needed in this case since the light isn't going to change all that much where I will be shooting. The Sunpak flash works great using the sync cable, I believe the X sync speed is 1/125th.

The film I will be using is a b&w fomapan 400. That's the fastest film I have which I think would give me decent results?

The lens I plan on using is most likely a 50mm f/2 which, but I have a 35mm f/2.8 as well. I'm just really unsure what the settings on the camera and flash that should be to give me an overall balanced exposure without blur. I know they probably won't be perfect but I just think it would be kind of fun and give a classic vibe.

Any help would be appreacited!

webestang64 · 2024-12-20T17:24:13-0600

I believe that camera has a flash sync of 1/125. So shutter speed to 1/125 and use the flash guide on the back for F-stop and distance.

AlanKlein · 2024-12-21T09:37:05-0600

You could use the Sunpak's Auto setting. The Sunpak adjusts the flash output automatically. It cuts off the flash strength based on the feedback from the subject's distance. You could verify it;s working by manually testing the Sunpak without the camera at close and far objects and see if the flash changes strength visually. There's also an indicator to prove the test worked. Check the Sunpak instructions and how to set up the camera's shutter speed and aperture.

webestang64 · 2024-12-21T10:45:18-0600

AlanKlein said:
You could use the Sunpak's Auto setting. The Sunpak adjusts the flash output automatically. It cuts off the flash strength based on the feedback from the subject's distance. You could verify it;s working by manually testing the Sunpak without the camera at close and far objects and see if the flash changes strength visually. There's also an indicator to prove the test worked. Check the Sunpak instructions and how to set up the camera's shutter speed and aperture.

Auto setting will not work on a manual camera.

AlanKlein · 2024-12-21T11:17:43-0600

webestang64 said:
Auto setting will not work on a manual camera.

Auto settings is on the flash unit.

webestang64 · 2024-12-21T12:54:23-0600

AlanKlein said:
Auto settings is on the flash unit.

I was thinking about TTL....my bad.

smoke665 · 2024-12-21T13:05:56-0600

As @AlanKlein mentioned the Sunpack on auto,k regulates the output based on the distance to subject
As long as you stay in the range at the settings indicated on the flash it will regulate the output to supposedly give a proper exposure. I think I have an old Sunpack somewhere, haven't used it in years.

nerwin · 2024-12-21T15:11:34-0600

I guess I'll have to figure out a way to test this. I have two ports on the camera one for X and the other is M.

My other film camera with work with this flash via TTL but I the 28mm lens I have for that camera isnt gonna work and my older Nikkor glass won't mount on the camera because they are non-ai lenses.

So I'm just trying to make this work because I think it would be fun.

snowbear · 2024-12-21T20:33:03-0600

I think the M is for flashbulbs, X for electronic flash. Not positive, though.

nerwin · 2024-12-21T20:36:01-0600

snowbear said:
I think the M is for flashbulbs, X for electronic flash. Not positive, though.

I have the manual for the camera, didn't even think to look! You're right. That's exactly what its for.

nerwin · 2024-12-21T20:37:47-0600

AlanKlein said:
You could use the Sunpak's Auto setting. The Sunpak adjusts the flash output automatically. It cuts off the flash strength based on the feedback from the subject's distance. You could verify it;s working by manually testing the Sunpak without the camera at close and far objects and see if the flash changes strength visually. There's also an indicator to prove the test worked. Check the Sunpak instructions and how to set up the camera's shutter speed and aperture.

Well I'll be damned. It worked great. I tested firing the at certain distances and noticed the auto/ok light lit up and could clearly tell the output power change. So this might yield decent results for what I'm looking for.