SL settings for Profoto Studio Flash

[DJGR33R]

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Can anyone please advise the optimum SL settings to use when using the camera with Profoto flash in the studio. With shutter speed synced at 1/250 and camera on Manual, it is very very difficult to compose an in focus shot as the EVF is very dark. I have switched exp preview off in manual mode but this does not help. Disappointing as it makes using the Noctilux on the SL in the studio almost impossible. Autocus lenses are no better. Any advice most welcome. Thanks

[LocalHero1953]

The only work around I've found is to use the modelling light on my AcuteB2.

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[Ingo]

I set the Exposure Metering to 'spot' and AF Field Size to 1 Point. You can then use the joystick to navigate the 'spot-circle' to the face of your model. Then the EVF will brighten up. 

[lx1713]

Can anyone please advise the optimum SL settings to use when using the camera with Profoto flash in the studio. With shutter speed synced at 1/250 and camera on Manual, it is very very difficult to compose an in focus shot as the EVF is very dark. I have switched exp preview off in manual mode but this does not help. Disappointing as it makes using the Noctilux on the SL in the studio almost impossible. Autocus lenses are no better. Any advice most welcome. Thanks

 

Is the exposure compensation set at a negative setting? If you change it to a neutral or positive value the scene could be easier to focus. Paul's suggestion is probably the best step to take regardless.

[DJGR33R]

Hi Ingo and other Friends,

 

I have tried all of your suggestions and am making some progress but can you advise if it is possible to get the EVF preview to stay on (i.e bright) whilst focussing. I can only get it to stay on for a second by depressing the FN button when the frame lights up and then darkens immediately thereafter. This happens regardless of whether Preview is set to PASM or PAS.

 

Thanks

 

David 

[LD_50]

Try PAS, manual exposure, set ISO, and use exposure compensation to brighten the finder.

[geetee1972]

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Try PAS, manual exposure, set ISO, and use exposure compensation to brighten the finder.

 

You can't use exposure comp when shooting fully manual.

 

The best work around for this problem that I've found is simply to achieve critical focus wide open and then stop down to shoot. You still need to compose a little but I've not found the EVF so dark as to be unable to do that. On that point, just how dark is your studio if you really can't see anything through the EVF even stopped down to f/11? it must be near black.

[LD_50]

You can't use exposure comp when shooting fully manual.

 

The best work around for this problem that I've found is simply to achieve critical focus wide open and then stop down to shoot. You still need to compose a little but I've not found the EVF so dark as to be unable to do that. On that point, just how dark is your studio if you really can't see anything through the EVF even stopped down to f/11? it must be near black.

In PAS and fully manual exposure compensation changes the brightness of the EVF without actually adjusting exposure.

 

Are you saying it doesn’t do so with a flash attached or it doesn’t do so at all? I’ve camera in hand and just verified it does as I described without a flash.

[geetee1972]

In PAS and fully manual exposure compensation changes the brightness of the EVF without actually adjusting exposure.

 

Are you saying it doesn’t do so with a flash attached or it doesn’t do so at all? I’ve camera in hand and just verified it does as I described without a flash.

You know in truth now, reading your clarification here, I'm really not sure what you mean.

 

My camera set to the following:

 

- Exposure Preview: PAS

- Shooting Mode: M

- ISO: 100 (or any other fixed gain amount)

 

With these settings the large top dial that would otherwise control exposure compensation, now controls shutter speed. One other variable to isolate, I don't have a flash attached and neither does the OP. He's talking about shooting with studio strobes operated via a remote attached the camera. That might explain why you're seeing something different.

 

What I don't understand is how you can even have exposure compensation when shooting in manual mode? But I would be very happy to discover a setting I didn't know about as it would really help.

Edited October 15, 2017 by geetee1972

[Waterden]

This has come up before. The linked thread may solve your problem

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/254038-studio-question-for-sl-owners/

[LD_50]

You know in truth now, reading your clarification here, I'm really not sure what you mean.

 

My camera set to the following:

 

- Exposure Preview: PAS

- Shooting Mode: M

- ISO: 100 (or any other fixed gain amount)

 

With these settings the large top dial that would otherwise control exposure compensation, now controls shutter speed. One other variable to isolate, I don't have a flash attached and neither does the OP. He's talking about shooting with studio strobes operated via a remote attached the camera. That might explain why you're seeing something different.

 

What I don't understand is how you can even have exposure compensation when shooting in manual mode? But I would be very happy to discover a setting I didn't know about as it would really help.

With those settings access exposure compensation by pressing and holding the top silver button to bring up exposure compensation, and then turning the rear dial (on my camera, possibly adjustable to the top dial) to adjust.

 

It won’t affect exposure because you’ve fixed all the variables but it will darken and lighten the EVF or back screen. It may not be enough for what the OP wants but I do use this at times with ND filters attached.

 

This is all without flash attached.

Edited October 15, 2017 by LD_50

[geetee1972]

This has come up before. The linked thread may solve your problem

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/254038-studio-question-for-sl-owners/

 The OP has already done this.

 

 

With those settings access exposure compensation by pressing and holding the top silver button to bring up exposure compensation, and then turning the rear dial (on my camera, possibly adjustable to the top dial) to adjust.

 

Aha, OK so this is something I didn't know you could do. I have set the top silver dial to something other than it's original setting so what I need to know is what command you need to set it back to so that when shooting manual, it enables the EVF brightness to be adjusted.

[geetee1972]

 The OP has already done this.

 

 

Aha, OK so this is something I didn't know you could do. I have set the top silver dial to something other than it's original setting so what I need to know is what command you need to set it back to so that when shooting manual, it enables the EVF brightness to be adjusted.

OK I figured it out and it does indeed work so a bifg thank you for pointing this out.

[DJGR33R]

Thanks Everyone for your help. Problem solved! It turned out that the top Live View silver button was somehow programmed to exp comp and that was suppressing the EVF brightness and only allowing intermittent clarity when I depressed the FN button. A valuable lesson on checking button assignments . Thanks to everyone who offered their advice .