Fill Flash

I am getting more sused to my Nikon 50 and also purchased the SB-600 External Flash. Is mounting this on top of the camera sufficient for wildlife photography? Also, when you are using fill-flash, are you merely filling the area between the camera and subect with more light, or is the intent to cast light on the subject? Thx so much

I use an SB600 as well - As for using the SB600 for wildlife I can't say for sure as I don't shoot wildlife, but I imagine you would need to add a Better Beamer (I think that's what it's called) to reach out there further. I use fill flash to cast light on the subject itself, to either remove harsh shadows or to overcome the darkness created by backlighting, etc.

I'm no expert but I think that fill flash refers to filling the shadows with light, meaning you brighten the shadows a little so you don't get half of the animal black (where shadow is) and the other half overexposed (where sunlight is).

You need quite a bit of flash power for this to work over a longer distance.

Basil

I have an SB600 that I use with an F100 that I recently got and am very happy with it at close distances, from minimum-focus-distance butterflies, to birds and small critters maybe 10 or 20-30 feet away. I doubt it has the punch to get farther out, but if I'm that far away, maybe I'm too far anyway. But I also just ordered a Better Beamer from this web site earlier this week. I look forward to trying it out.

I have used the better beamer quite a lot and have found it to be a great help. It is best used with a 300mm or greater lens because the fernel lens concentrates the light to a narrow beam.