I recently was given a Nikon FG by someone in church. Since I've started shooting film, I plan on using this at least to complement my EL by keeping a different speed film in it. I noticed that it has a flash hotshoe that supports a TTL flash, but I wonder if anyone has experience with this and if I can trust it. If it has no distance information, how should I use a flash on this camera?
Nikon FG TTL flash support
(13 posts) (5 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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this is what I remember, or at least maybe. A Nikon buddy of mine had the FG and we would campare the cameras in different situations many times.
it used the SB15 , I used the SB12 with the F3 and I think it was the SB15 for this camera.
The flash would automatically put the camera at the X setting, maybe 90 or 125, but it did that without user imput. nice feature back then.
the camera measured the light and would adjust the output form the flash.
remember before that, you set the aperture and flash strength depending on the distance from the subject and hoped you got it right, no instant review.
then we got the Vivitar and Sunpak would read the light output [auto thystor?] or something like that, so the flash output was controlled by the flash.
TTL was like magic as the flash was controlled by the camera.
Just put the correct Nikon flash on the camera and you did not have to manually estimate the distance to the subject and make adjustments.
Just focus and shoot.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Good question.... Could a CLS flash work on a FG in TTL mode (I use manual for everything)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Please note that the SB400, SB700 and SB900 are not TTL compatible (they only support iTTL mode for DSLRs). And CLS also doesn't work - it wasn't even thought of when the FG came along ;)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Correlli said:
Please note that the SB400, SB700 and SB900 are not TTL compatible (they only support iTTL mode for DSLRs). And CLS also doesn't work - it wasn't even thought of when the FG came along ;)Oh thanks :) I already knew they weren't CLS compatible on a older film body but I didn't know about the TTL. I used to use Sb800's all of the time for my job,and I remember having to go between the TTL and ITTL. Now I use a Sb900 and shoot on manual 100% of the time
Posted 1 year ago # -
kyoshinikon said:
Oh thanks :) I already knew they weren't CLS compatible on a older film bodyFor all I know the F6 is the only CLS compatible film camera.
And for the TTL: I ran into the problem myself: when I bought my first DSLR about a year ago I also got me an SB900 and sold all my older speed lights. Of course I found out that the SB900 is not TTL compatible only after I sold them (for next to nothing). :( Should have read the manual...
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have a FG20 and someone once scared me with a story of blowing a flash due to the difference of volts/amps the shoe puts out - so I have never tried.
That is really the only concern that I have ever heard. I would love it if someone could straighten me out on that one. Call me Sally, but trying and blowing a $500 flash for just finding out, is not my definition of a good time.
As others have said, TTL is much different (kind of) then the iTTL and the advanced CLS of the flashes. I do believe you can put them in manual mode and trip them though.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The SB900 manual says that you can use the speed light with non-CLS compatible cameras, but you will lose some functionality (e.g. TTL-mode).
I just tested with my FM3a and the SB900 fires (used M mode) as expected. Camera and flash are doing well and show no sign of being blown...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Correlli said:
The SB900 manual says that you can use the speed light with non-CLS compatible cameras, but you will lose some functionality (e.g. TTL-mode).Correct that with iTTL. I was thinking (only) the 900 will do TTL - or maybe that is body driven.
You have bigger balls than me sir! Maybe I'll just start with my Sb600 just in case ;)
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mine works on my N8008 in M too. Sucks about the selling of flashes. When I purchased my Sb900, the SB800 was going for around $800 used at all of the local camera stores because of the demand. They were really hard to find too... The preflashes of iTTL drive me crazy.
Posted 1 year ago # -
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The one flash I have at the moment is a Sunpax PZ42X. Doesn't seem like it mentions anything about the old TTL mode but then again how much would they be catering to that crowd? I guess I can always just test out the flash in manual mode on my D7000 at different ISOs / indoor ranges and see what kind of power I need at the X sync speed of 1/60 to get results. Thanks for all the response though! Seeing as the film camera forum was pretty dead I was surprised!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I don't know that flash but as casperwb pointed out there might be an auto mode in it. You dial in the film speed and the aperture you use and the flash uses an internal photocell to control the amount of light needed. Not as precise as TTL but no bad either (depending on the flash).
Or you can use the guide number of the flash. In the Nikon manuals you can find a list of guide numbers for the speed lights for various manual power settings, ISO speeds etc. You might find something similar in your manual. Once you know the guide number you can use the formula A = G / D where A is the aperture you need, G is the guide number of the flash and D is the distance in meter. If you use the guide number in feet you need to use the distance in feet as well.
If you have static setups you can also get a flash meter, but that would be additional money to invest...
Posted 1 year ago #
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