95 BB2

Well the Vivitar 285HV finally came in, I went ahead and ordered it, I look at it as a way to get to know my way around manual flash settings.

I have a couple of questions. Even though I'm still getting used to the settings and such that could be my problem.

I fired the flash at different auto and manual modes, trying to follow the instructions on the book for a bounce flash effect.

Well with the camera somewhere in between 1/400-1/1000 a black area would come up at the bottom of the photograph, the slower the shutter speed got the smaller the black area would be and eventually it'd be gone somewhere around 1/250.

My test/dummy got annoyed very quickly at the click and pop of the flash, so what is something I could use to get to know the flash settings indoor?

.:Chris:.

The flash sync speed on your camera is most likely 1/250th. That means you shouldn't shoot faster than 1/250th with the flash, and if you do you'll likely get part of the shutter in your picture.

95 BB2

Alright thank you!