580EX II Flash question

Talisman

Talisman

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Robert Hunter
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Ok im sure this is a completely stuipd question, but its one i just dont get..

Without the flash on the camera (Canon 350D) in manual mode.

i aim the camera select the aperture i want. to get the exposure correct i then adjust the shutter speed until the little arrow in screen sits in the middle to indicate its correct. (im sure you get what i mean.)

When i add on the Speedlite do i still have to do this. OR do i set the aperture i want and just ignore the exposure indicator because the flash will adjust to what i need?

tally
 
Interesting you should ask this, as I've just been investigating the same thing, think I have it sorted now. Manual mode does seem to be the best, since you can set aperture for depth of field, I then set reqd shutter speed, I've been setting something like 160, I have the 550EX flash but think very similar, if you focus then check the display on the flash, shows range flash should cover, take shoot, & so long as the green lamp indicates on back of flash exposure should be ok, if not, you'll need to open up the aperture/move closer, definatley works for me, taken me well over a year to realise this (although I haven't been using flash that much). Hope this helps. I'm sure others will know more than me, I'll watch this thread with interest, to learn more.
Kevin :)
 
ah righty.. Ive hardly used mine but thinking about using a bit more at the moment and just no idea how to use it correctly..
 
well I'm certainly no expert, but now seem to get consistently good results. :thumbs:
 
Talisman said:
Ok im sure this is a completely stuipd question, but its one i just dont get..

Without the flash on the camera (Canon 350D) in manual mode.

i aim the camera select the aperture i want. to get the exposure correct i then adjust the shutter speed until the little arrow in screen sits in the middle to indicate its correct. (im sure you get what i mean.)

When i add on the Speedlite do i still have to do this. OR do i set the aperture i want and just ignore the exposure indicator because the flash will adjust to what i need?

tally
Click to expand...

Yep that's exactly right if you have the flash set on ETTL.
When I first got my 580EX this confused the hell out of me as well.
The flash will basically compensate for any light required to make a good exposure...if possible that is.
Use manual mode, set the the shutter speed (fast if you want it hand held) and the aperture for your appropriate DoF and then then flash will automatically work out how much extra light is needed.
This is why I love my flash, I am able to take photos hand held in very poor lighting, it's very good for indoors.

Do you have a diffuser attached to your flash?
 
yes i do have one of those little plastic ones that go over the end.

and thanks for the info, i have been still thinking even with the flash on that i had to get the indicator in the range to the correct setting. now i know i dont then i can have a good play...
 
However of course if you bounce your flash which you should then you will need more light as it has to travel up to the ceiling and back down so the ETTL wont work with bouncing.

Also, when you say choose whatever speed you want... the speed is appertaining to how much ambient light you get in the picture.... so a speed of 1/250 will givve you a pretty dark background at a party for instance... whereas 1/60 should be slow enough for handheld and will give some ambient light from behind while the flash exposes the subject.
 
Regarding bouncing light, if you find that ETTL underexposes slightly just increase the FEC (flash exposure compensation I think).

Same for as if you are using the flash on a bright day as a fill flash you may find that you need to reduce the FEC by a stop.


Can you really hand hold at 1/60? Most of mine are blurry at that speed, probably because my hands are not as steady :( When using flash I try and use 1/125.
 
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