Off Camera Flash TTL Vs Manual

Off Camera Flash TTL Vs Manual

Let’s debate!

If you’re not aware, TTL flash is essentially auto mode for your flash, and off camera TTL flash just means that the camera can control the flash wirelessly.

While manual flash is exactly what it sounds like. You manually control the flash output. The only communication between the camera and the flash is when the camera sends the signal to fire, and off camera manual flash, means you can send that firing signal wirelessly

This is the principal difference between the two types of off camera flash systems.

You’re either controlling the flash power yourself, or you’re allowing the camera to do it for you.

So which is better? It's simple.

Manual flash is better.

Think about it for a minute. How much time have you spent learning how your camera works and how to shoot in manual mode so that you can insure the photos look the way you want them to look?

So if we want to control our cameras manually to insure we get the results we want, then why on earth would you want the camera to choose your flash settings for you?

If you want your photos to look exactly the way you want them to look, then you’re going to want to have full control over your flash.

With off camera TTL flash, you just don’t get that.

With TTL, every single time you take a photo, the camera re-evaluates the scene and sends new instructions to the flash, setting a new power level for the flash to fire at for that photo.

So you might be shooting off camera flash TTL, and, and everything’s going great, and something changes. Maybe it’s a camera setting, maybe you move the flash a little bit, or maybe your subject moves, and then all of a sudden, for what seems like no reason, the flash is way too bright or dark because that small change you made completely changed the camera’s reading of the scene.

And now you’ve got to fight with your camera to get your flash back where you want it, but because you’re using TTL, you don’t actually know where it was in the first place, so now you’re guessing.

With off camera manual flash, there’s no chance of that happening because the only time the flash power will change is when you decide to change it, and that consistency is, in my opinion, priceless.

The other problem with TTL is that the camera and flash are stupid. The meter inside the camera makes the decisions that set the flash power in TTL, and it doesn’t understand complicated lighting situations.

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[SteveHasACamera]

I’ve just unpacked my first ever flash (AD200 Pro). I was wondering between TTL and Manual. You instantly sold me on manual!!!

[MrYankee]

Thanks Spyros...you reaffirmed my thinking ..I never understood the benefit of TTL and thought I must be missing something, but turns out that I haven't ! As a side note, I think shooting flash in manual gives me more of a sense of accomplishment when done correctly...been following you for a while and this kind of straight talk keeps me coming back

[macpants]

You are bang on with TTL v Manual BUT... As you did rightly say there are those 'variable' situations where off camera TTL is invaluable. I am a pet photographer and the obedience of pets (mainly dogs) is variable, You can bet your bottom dollar that if you set up in manual the dog will plonk itself four inches from a flash head. I have found that, whilst the odd TTL shot goes awry, the success rate for moving dogs is far better with TTL. Just putting it out there.

[dunnymonster]

Agreed, in the main I use manual flash to maintain both consistency and control. That said there is certainly a place for TTL also, however I'd suggest anybody utilising TTL ensure that they only set their camera settings manually and not in any of the suto/semi auto settings. Here's why, your camera has a tough enough time calculating TTL when it already knows what the ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed will be in advance. Using any of the semi automatic modes ( auto ISO, Shutter priority, Aperture priority ) is asking for problems because now you are asking the camera to make additional choices on the fly alongside that of the TTL. With so many variables its not going to work well. So if you use TTL, definately at the very least use full manual settings for the camera. One thing I will add is that the joy of the Godox system along with the X pro trigger is you can convert TTL settings to manual with the push of a button! This can be a boon for run and gunners who want an approximate idea of their flash settings but don't have time to take several test shots. Just fire in TTL and if it looks good just convert that setting to Manual via the trigger and voila you have the best of both worlds. This feature is I believe pretty unique to the Godox system and couldn't be simpler however it's restricted to the X pro trigger at this time, their other triggers don't offer this functionality ☺

[CanadianArchivist]

What is good about manual flash is that it is almost an extension of the exposure triangle. I can add or subtract a stop of light, or 2/3 etc by adjusting the flash power. So if it isn’t quite right, I can adjust ISO, even the shutter speed (within the camera’s capability) and aperture. If I change one setting I can adjust the other. I don’t really use TTL that much because from watching channels like yours, everyone shoots manual most of the time.

[texasmarshalls]

Thank you so much for this explantation!!! Please do a video on using the Godox V1 with Xpro trigger. Thank you!

[inmyfreetyme]

Thanks Spyros for this video. My take away is: no ttl for me. Manual is the way 2 go. Now when I buy a flash, I don't need to buy one with ttl. U just got a New Subscriber...ME. Cheers & thanks again.

[samulisavukoski]

Man! Your video is brilliant, absolutely zero bullshit and 100% facts on the table. I was searching for all this information for weeks : D

[sandysousa]

I was ready to give up on flash altogether because of TTL. Then I tried manual flash and now it’s super simple and fun to learn flash photography...Stupid TTL. 😂

[johnhubbell]

I enjoyed your video Spyros. I haven't used manual flash in 15 years. The TTL on my Nikon speed lights have been very accurate and the times it hasn't, I can usually fix in post. I haven't really used manual flash since my film shooting days but I will try and get back to using manual once I get a hand held meter. Thanks!

[abhishekanand]

Dude thank you so much for the advice. I was gonna buy ttl but now I'm gonna buy manual thanks

[deltalima]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Short sweet and to the point. Thank you for clarifying the differences between the two. Manual all the way. More creative and consistent that way. That’s where all the craft is.

[isabellethomas]

If you had many outdoor family portraits to do at once despite the weather changing I guess manual still will be your best bet then?

[zabakkuku]

Man, you are so very clear with your explanations!

[OliverWoodphotography]

I shoot a lot in nightclubs and use rear sync with manual flash. I'm either 1/16 flash power for close up or 1/8 for groups...it never fails once you have done a bit of trial and error proving in a venue.

[ctscsq]

This is such a short and sweet video; thank YOU! You've earned a subscriber in me :) I have a technical question: while experimenting with TTL vs. Manual mode, I realize that TTL mode take so much longer to recycle to a point I missed a lot of shot shooting indoor events, as the flash didn't fire half the time. Any suggestions for such scenario? As you mentioned in your video, one could use TTL for such run-n-gun situations. Thank you.

[oldtvnut]

You first say that TTL can be a problem when the scene changes and the camera misreads it; then you say it's best for variable situations??? To me, TTL with +/-adjustment of the flash power is preferable.

[rickshapiro]

I know this video is a bit old. Do you rely on a light meter if not using TTL, if not I assume a lot of trial and error shots to get the right exposure.

[GermanViking]

Great video! I use Manual Flash only when I have control of the environment and when I want to use Flashes in a "creative way" but for events and rush shoots, (90% of the time) TTL gets the job done.
BTW I'm subscribing just because of that Boku no hero academia figure ✌

[TheJohnnieMedina]

I shoot in Manual...because that's how you taught me! :D