Can I get fill-flash with my 400d?

[SlowSteve]

Just a very quick question....

There were a couple of occasions over the weekend where a bit of flash would have been useful when shooting some birds in a zoo who were right next to the fence and in partial shadow.

I can work out how to trigger the full flash on my 400d, but not the "fill flash", which I understand to be a softer flash.

Can anyone assist, or is it my definition of fill flash that is wrong?


Thanks

Steve

 

[essexmirage]

I use some 'micropore' type surgical tape stuck to the flash front to choke down a bit and soften for fill flash, on my 400d works for me, but remember to peel off before you close it down again !! Couple of layers does the trick !

 

[HoppyUK]

Fill-in flash couldn't really be easier. It's also one of the things the built-in flash is actually quite good for. Just set up as normal, pop up the flash, and shoot. The E-TTL system will balance the flash to the f/number and to the daylight

The secret is getting the balance right and if you don't like what the camera delivers automatically, then you can adjust that with flash exposure compensation in the menu (handbook explains) which makes the flash contribution brighter/darker. You can adjust the daylight exposure independently with the normal compensation control and using the two together you can get any ratio you want - subtle is usually better.

The only thing to be aware of is your maximum x-sync speed (1/200sec). The camera won't let you go over that with the flash on, but in bright sun you run the risk of the background being over-exposed (the shutter speed will blink in the viewfinder). Raise the f/number or reduce the ISO to push the shutter speed under that threshold. This is what high speed sync is for with a separate gun - lets you run over the max x-sync.

Putting things over the flash, unless it makes the light source physically larger and therefore softer, won't do anything except rob you of maximum power, and the pop-up has got precious little of that in the first place.

 

[Davo7]

So after reading these posts and reading an article on Fill Flash.

If your outside in the sunshine tell your Camera you want the flash on pop it up and shoot away? Is that right?


I love this forum.

 

[Russ77]

So after reading these posts and reading an article on Fill Flash.

If your outside in the sunshine tell your Camera you want the flash on pop it up and shoot away? Is that right?


I love this forum.

Yep!

As far as I'm aware..........

In AV/TV/M, if you chose to use flash it will automatically produce fill-in flash, the camera will set the exposure based on the ambient light and adjust the flash to suit.

You can also adjust the amount of flash using the flash compensation setting.

With full auto and P modes, the camera will use the flash as the main source of light and in most situations will set the power of the flash to pretty much knock out ambient light.

 

[HoppyUK]

So after reading these posts and reading an article on Fill Flash.

If your outside in the sunshine tell your Camera you want the flash on pop it up and shoot away? Is that right?


I love this forum.

Yes. That's about all there is too it. And it will transform things like outdoor portaits against the light, brightening faces and putting a sparkle in the eyes.

Just bear in mind the comments about about making sure the shutter speed doesn't try to creep above the x-sync limit which it will probably want to do in bright sun, or the background will wash out. High speed sync is a blessing in those situations but no pop-ups have it (it uses a lot of power which they don't have).

The trick is getting the flash balance right and since that's a difficult calculation for the camera to make, plus the fact that it varies a lot according to both the subject and how you like it, you need to be familiar with the flash compensation control.

Edit: crossed post with Russ.

 

[Davec223]

As others have said, it is as simple as popping the flash up and have a play and use the flash compensation until you get the look you want.

When ever we go out I always put the flash on my camera, one thing you do get used to in the summer with the sun blazing are the funny looks people give you for using flash.

 

[swanseamale47]

Does the 400d have flash exposure compensation? I know the later models do, have a look on the camera tab in the menu or the handbook, with this you can turn down the power of the flash to ballance it easier.

 

[Davo7]

As others have said, it is as simple as popping the flash up and have a play and use the flash compensation until you get the look you want.

When ever we go out I always put the flash on my camera, one thing you do get used to in the summer with the sun blazing are the funny looks people give you for using flash.

Well i would have been the same if im honest. I nver thought there would have been a use for flash in bright sunshine. If only i had known this before i went to the beach!

 

[Davec223]

Well i would have been the same if im honest. I nver thought there would have been a use for flash in bright sunshine. If only i had known this before i went to the beach!

Have a play, and remember to try and balance the ambient light with the flash with flash compensation.

 

[SixToes]

Does the 400d have flash exposure compensation? I know the later models do, have a look on the camera tab in the menu or the handbook, with this you can turn down the power of the flash to ballance it easier.

It does. And it is very useful for this.