Can a Nikon Speedlight show the TTL flash power used after a shot?
Asked 7/15/2012
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I want to compare TTL flash output between a Nikon D90 and an F100. Some Canon flash units can show the flash level used when exposure is locked, so I’m wondering whether any Nikon Speedlight can display the flash power used right after taking a photo, or during TTL/FV lock. If not, is there any practical way to compare TTL flash output between these two bodies?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
This is impossible with any Nikon flash, with one exception: when shooting with automatic flash intensity control and if full power was deemed insufficient, but even then the readout is in EVs and not directly in fractions of the GN.
And, if I go a step above and try to answer your goal rather than the question you asked, assuming all other settings at their defaults, the F100 can get an extra fraction of flash power in TTL mode due to it not using preflashes.
How much this matters is debatable due to it mostly being an issue for wimpy built-in flashes (the one used in the D3100 goes from 13 to 12 meters), how the majority of wasted energy is due to the angle of the illumination cone and lens aperture, and the ability of using flash premetering ("FV lock") if the D90 supports the feature.
Originally by user15986. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15986
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
In general, no. Nikon Speedlights do not provide a direct readout of the TTL flash power actually used after a shot, or a simple fraction-of-full-power display for TTL exposure.
One limited exception mentioned is that in automatic flash control, if the flash was insufficient at full power, some Nikon units may indicate underexposure in EV terms rather than showing the actual power used.
For your comparison, note that the F100 can deliver a small amount of extra flash power in film TTL mode because it does not use a preflash the way digital i-TTL systems do. In practice, this difference is usually modest and may matter most with weaker flashes, such as built-in units.
If you need repeatable comparisons, manual flash power is the practical approach. TTL on Nikon varies by system and mode (for example film TTL vs i-TTL, balanced fill, etc.), so there is no straightforward Nikon flash display that will tell you exactly what power was used shot-to-shot.
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