Why are my photos completely overexposed with a Sigma EM-140 ring flash on a Nikon D7000?
Asked 5/23/2013
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I’m new to photography and using a Sigma EM-140 ring flash with a Nikon D7000 and Sigma 18-250mm lens. When I shoot with the ring flash, the photos come out almost completely white. Also, if the camera is in Auto mode, the built-in flash still tries to pop up even though the ring flash is attached.
Does the D7000 detect this flash properly, and what camera settings should I use to avoid overexposure?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
2
The camera is in Auto mode and that setting ignores any other flash settings (or even the presence of an external flash.) It will then automatically use the built in flash without prompting, which is what you're seeing.
The flash listed supports i-TTL so it should be fine with the D7000 even if it's not on the Sigma supported camera list (more commonly it not being listed as supported is because the D7000 wasn't available when Sigma did their testing or they didn't test it.) Switch over to Shutter Priority (S) mode and set it for about 1/160. You camera is rated for more but a little headroom doesn't hurt especially with an 3rd party flash.
If it still doesn't work then go to manual mode and use the aperture dial to get the appropriate exposure, start around f/8 and go from there as suggested in the other answer.
Originally by user14028. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user14028
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, the D7000 should work with that i-TTL-compatible ring flash, but Auto mode is likely the main problem. In Auto, the camera may ignore your external flash setup and try to use the built-in flash as well.
Try this instead:
- Don’t use Auto mode. Use Manual or Shutter Priority.
- Set ISO low: 100 or 200.
- Start around 1/160 sec shutter speed (or at least faster than 1/125 sec).
- Start with a smaller aperture such as f/8, f/16, then adjust as needed.
A good starting point is:
- Manual mode
- ISO 100
- 1/160 sec
- f/8 to f/16
Then fine-tune aperture based on subject distance and exposure.
General flash rule of thumb:
- Shutter speed mainly affects ambient light.
- Aperture mainly affects flash exposure.
If the camera still behaves oddly, try a camera reset (on the D7000, the “green dot” reset using the QUAL and +/- buttons).
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AI13y ago
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