Canon 50mm f.1.4 and Speedlite 580exII

[Gary.D]

Hello Guys,
Been playing this afternoon and im having problems with both of these.

Canon 50mm f.1.4:

I brought this lens for low light situations to get some super sharp images. The auto focus does not work very well on it in low light. People have been saying shine a torch on the object, but if I am working in clubs or something, I cannot whip my torch out lol. Any suggestions?

Speedlite 580exII:

I am having real trouble with this peice of kit. When I am shooting on AUTO on my camera, the red sensor on the flash helps my camera focus and shines red lines on the object. But when I am not on AUTO it does not do this. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help
Gary

 

[lukewoodford]

With regards to the 50mm, thats called hunting for focus and its normal. It REALLY bothered me when I first noticed it but nothing you can do about it. It used to happen in wierd situations but you just have to work around it. Im sure someone will be along to give you some technical advice.

 

[andrewc]

look in the custom functions about AF assist and disable flash? I use 40D and 50D with a 430EX on one and a 550EX on other just for the extra help with focussing.

 

[Gary.D]

Ok thanks, I need to find out how to get the flash to help me focus when im not on AUTO

 

[seriousrikk]

Look at Custom Function 5
You probably set it to 1 because the AF assist on the pop up flash was annoying. In that scenario set it to 2 - otherwise 0 will do fine

 

[AliB]

Yep, AF assist is what you need. It basically fires the red light from your flash to enable the lens to focus without the flash going off.

 

[Gary.D]

Yep, AF assist is what you need. It basically fires the red light from your flash to enable the lens to focus without the flash going off.

Ok how do I set this on the speedlite 580exII?
Thanks

 

[subseasniper]

On my 40D I go to the flash control setting and then set it to disable. Then use the inbuilt flash. It will fire a quick pulse of light when you focus but will not fire when you take the shot.. I haven't tried with my 430 but I assume if you set the flash control to disable then mount your 430 to the hotshoe and turn it on you should get the focussing light to work without the flash firing when you take the shot.

 

[seriousrikk]

Ok how do I set this on the speedlite 580exII?
Thanks

Did you try what I suggested?

 

[fletch5]

try manual focussing?

 

[Gary.D]

Did you try what I suggested?

Yeh I wasnt sure what this custom function meant

 

[CraigDouglas]

try manual focussing?

Manual focussing at f1.4 in a club through a viewfinder??

 

[Gary.D]

Manual focussing at f1.4 in a club through a viewfinder??

You took the words out of my mouth lol

 

[strobemonkey]

Apparently, you can't control the flash with your 400D's menu. And you can't disable the flash from firing.

On your 580EX II, Go to Custom function 8 (AF Assist Beam Firing). Set it to "0" (enabled).

The problem with your 50 1.4 is not a problem but a characteristic of the lens. That's one reason I bought a 28 1.8 USM - problem solved.

 

[seriousrikk]

Yeh I wasnt sure what this custom function meant

http://oregonstate.edu/is/mediaservices/sms/sites/default/files/Canon_Rebel_XTi.pdf

 

[Gary.D]

Thanks Guys