How to Use Studio Lights With My Nikon D1X

Using studio lights with a Nikon D1X is a straightforward process.

The Nikon D1X may be an older digital camera, but it is still a very capable one, especially when it comes to shooting in the studio. Being a professional camera body, the D1X provides multiple ways of shooting with studio lights to allow the greatest flexibility and creative control for the photographer. The high power output of studio lighting gives a photographer the opportunity to use high sync speeds found on the D1X.

Things You'll Need

• D1X
• Studio lights
• Flash meter
• PC connector cord for studio lights
• Remove transmitter and receiver (Pocket Wizard)
• Small flash

Instructions

Connecting the camera

1. Connect the studio lights to the camera using a PC connector cord (usually supplied with the studio light) plugged into the X sync terminal on the front of the camera. This is the most basic method of using studio lights with the D1X.

2. Connect the studio lights and camera via a wireless transmitter to allow for greater freedom in movement around the studio. Mount the transmitter on the hotshoe of the camera and plug the studio lights into the receiver using a PC cord. This set up frees the photographer to move around the studio.

3. Use a small flash to set off the studio lights using the built-in strobe trigger. Most studio lighting incorporates a built-in strobe sensor, which fires the light when a flash of light is detected. This is used in a multiple light set-up as the camera is normally connected to only one of the lights. The second light is set to use the strobe sensor to fire at the same time as the main light. By setting all the lights being used to the strobe sensor, you are free to move around freely just the same as using a wireless transmitter.

Settings

1. Place the flash meter in the scene being photographed and fire the studio lights to get a reading on the flash. Each time you adjust the output of the studio lights, you should take another meter reading.

2. Set the aperture on the camera to match the settings on the flash meter and the output of the studio lights.

3. Set an appropriate shutter speed on the camera. Shutter speed settings are not as crucial as the aperture setting. A slower shutter speed will allow some of the ambient light to be captured. A faster shutter speed eliminates ambient light and only the studio lighting is captured.

   The D1X is capable of sync speeds of 1/1000 second with most studio lighting and can achieve even higher sync speeds depending on specifications of the lights being used. The faster the duration of the flash of light, the faster the sync speed.