Why is TTL Flash so Inconsistent? | Ask David Bergman

Have you tried using spot metering on the face then TTL on flash?

Does camera metering mode have anything to do with it ? For example if I switch from matrix to spot ?

She looks like a Shauna. Anyway, This is the second video of yours I've consumed in the last hour or so. Very insightful videos. And very well put together information. Well done.

Model: Illuminati 😅

I must learn how to adjust Flash Exposure Compensation. Got it. Thabk you for this. I did not know it even existed. Gratzi.

Dang, was hoping to see how the TTL adjusted with face detection turned on.

There is tcm on the godox x pro triggers. Once you get it right convert ttl to manual. The ad600 might be too powerful tho indoors which may have to go back to ttl to go below manual settings.

I believe there was something fairly important that wasn't addressed in this video. The reason your flash changes power when you zoom out is because the camera is seeing more of the background which is dark. So, the meter, if you're in multi-zone metering is going to tell the camera to tell the flash to power up to light up the dark background because to the camera, the scene just became darker. If you switched to spot or center weighted metering your TTL results would be more consistent as the camera is just looking at lighting up the face and not the entire scene. THIS is why your results are inconsistent. And to David's point, switching to manual will definitely guarantee more consistent results regardless of which in camera metering method you use. I think this explanation is a huge "miss". It didn't address the "why" of the question. If you know the why, you can figure out how to address the issue. If you don't know the why you're just trying to compensate with FEC it will still be inconsistent next time you reframe the subject. Knowing the why gives you more power to make a better adjustment, in this case the metering method, to get more consistent results. Having said that, manual will always give you consistent results.

Where is the mannequin link? ☺

To me the ideal situation would be to expose a broad-lighting tight headshot with TTL in which the flash meter would get a perfect exposure of let’s say 1/8th power. Now at that point if you could switch to manual that 1/8th power your lighting on the subject would be good from now on irregardless of whether you with the camera was moving around. I have one huge problem though! For my camera-flash setup the TTL power setting is top secret and evidently I don’t have a security clearance. It would be great if switching to manual would have the prior TTL power setting displayed.

David
How about Headdie for a name

what if I change the lightmeter from matrix to point measuring and have my camera read the skin of a subject all the time. whould I get at least a correct exposure of the face?

Hi, David. Why does my SB700 so often asking me to switch away from TTL mode when I don’t want to, sometimes in the middle of a shot?

TCM is nice 😀

her name is Eveline =)

I want it to take the picture with the exposure settings set as if I didn't have a flash but then fire the flash to fill in the dark areas, but all my pictures come out very, very dark.
When I switch from ETTL to manual mode, the flash won't even fire.

Does the TTL measure the whole sensor every time or does the metering mode plays a role here?

I coincidentally that exact same head, she was named "Bernice" by a friend, and she's very patient when it comes to me testing new lighting. 😂

Great info!

great, thanks. Was having similar issues, understand now what went wrong

Call it Lamarr.

Thanks a lot

Her name should be Amanda the Manikin

The way you described TTL, I wish it worked like that. There'd be no need for a preflash to happen. Is there an actual technology that meters flash exposure and stops the flash once enough light has been registered? It must happen real fast in a single flash and no preflash.😅

Luckily shooting raw can easy adjust and recover these kinds of inconsistencies in exposure. But no mention metering modes in the camera, it seems you're on like an evaluative mode (average of the whole scene), what if you go to spot and put the spot on the same spot every time

That's Jane Doe

How would you work with a flash in an event setting when you are moving around, and lighting changes from room to room?

Yip. When using multiple lights TTL is a pain in the ass and will only slow you down. I only use TTL in, as you say, run and gun situations. Rarely any other time.

Thanks. I wonder if this can solved by spot metering on the face and keeping exposure lock for the TTL to calculate from.

Thank you for this video...
I have a question if that's ok... Does camera metering mode effects the TTL ? Thank you!

I love how you do your explanations. They're crispy clear.

Brilliant explanation of when and why to use ttl or manual flash. Thank you

Does TTL shortened the Speedlite life?

Dolly?

This was really interesting and I understand a little more how TTL works now. So does it factor in the metering of the camera (Matrix, Centre Weighed, Spot)? Could a viable workaround to consistent TTL use come from locking exposure more such as using Spot metering for the persons face, locking exposure, reframing the shot then fire? Hmm... might have to try that.

Heidi the head

Great vid.

I love watching these videos from David....he must do a ton of research, because it seems like he knows EVERYTHING about cameras, lighting and all that stuff... I mean, he must know a lot already because he's got the segment...but still! WOW. Every time. Blows my mind.

Call your mannequin Demi. (Dummy... geddit? )

Also: why using ttl? (Apart from very specific moments)

Great as always. I sometimes use spot metering in camera and lock that exposure in if I'm shooting off center.

Mandy the mannequin

"mani mc-manikin head"

Use OEM equipment instead of 3d party alternatives. Godox and other don’t have Canon protocols, they have to reverse engineer and they will never match Canon original speed lights.

With a nikon flash, when the camera’s metering mode is changed to spot metering, I can use Standard i-TTL mode, in which, flash output level is adjusted to the correct exposure of the main subject regardless of background brightness

She makes me think of Elsa from frozen😂well, cause she's frozen❄⛄😂a frozen frame the whole entire time. I'm looking to buy me an Elsa too☺ also thanks for that discount code! I've been wanting to buy that software for like for eVeR!!!! I wish I could set my notifications to notify me for every 'ask David Bergmann' only. I'm Afrikaans and still not exactly fluent in English and find the way you explain things make the most sense to my simple English brain 😁🙄keep it up, I'm a headshot photographer here in Namibia now and almost everything I know I've learned from watching these Adorama videos! Thanks!

Thanks for the info, helps a beginner using OCF. ps: we named our Mannequin ( Helga ) that might suit yours? LOL.

Stiphanie

A name for the "subject"? 🤔 Since its her head only we are seeing ... What about "head-her" (Heather) 😉

Davina