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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Much as You Might Want to Know, February 18, 2002
Most photographers are aware of the auto-focus and auto-exposure revolutions that have gone on in the world of computerized cameras. Less heralded is the revolution in electronic flash. Thanks to through-the- lens metering many cameras now have the ability to automatically turn flash on and off to get the just the right amount of light on a subject. Today's flash offers opportunities for improved picture taking even on a sunny day.This book is aimed at the owners of Nikon speedlights and cameras with built-in flash who want to get better pictures than just a simple flash shot. It takes the few short pages contained in the Nikon instruction manuals and expands them so that the Nikon owner can really understand how to can increase photographic opportunities by knowing what's really going on in slow synch, rear synch and red-eye reduction modes, amongst other things. It is probably the most comprehensive and up-to-date material that one can find, and can be updated at the author's website. The book has short sections on every Nikon speedlight since the 1969 SB1 and Nikon cameras from the FM2 to the N80. Of course this means that, unless you have an unusually varied collection of equipment, two-thirds of the book will go unused. On the other hand, if the information that you glean from the pages you do use help you to be a better photographer, you will probably feel it's worth the cost. This book makes no pretense at being more than a technical guide. But not only will it tell you how to best use the available modes on your camera and speedlight, it will also tell you how to set up for multiple flash and even how to store your speedlight batteries! One thing that this book will not do is tell you how to use speedlights to convert your vision into reality. On the other hand, if you already understand the principles of good photography, you should be able to take what you learn here and combine it with those principles to improve your pictures.
I searched the web to see if there were similar books specifically for the owners of Canons, Minoltas or other brands, without success. I didn't find any, although my reading revealed sections of other books, like "John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide" and "Mastering Flash Photography" by Susan McCartney that covered the same ground, but without so much depth. Too bad, Canoneers, the Nikonians may be able to get a lead on you.
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