canon speedlite 430EX

artona

artona

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stewart
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Hi

For 30 years I have been a metz 45 flash user. I have now puchaaaaased a canon gun and I have to learn this new language :D:D

With the metz I would set the gun to an F stop and the camera to the same if the flash was to be the main illumination and if I wanted fill in I would set the flash a stop under.

So how do I replicate this on the 430. I have read the instructions but you know what men are like with an instruction manual, at one point my wife assures me I had it upside down :D:D

So far if I put the flash on ETTL then it seems to do ok as hte main light. If I want to use it as a fill in then I think I set it to manual and then I have the option of percentages which I assume is a percentage of the F stop the available light is.

Please tell me how you use the darn thing, this guessing is just not on :lol::lol:

stew
 
Percentages? Mine doesn't come up with percentages! Do you mean the fractions (1/1, 1/4, 1/64) etc? If so, as far as I know that's just a fraction of the maximum power. Maybe just experimentation is needed to get a feel for how much power you need? I've never had to set an aperture on the flash before!
 
What camera mode are you using. When using ETTL with Canon EOS cameras in any of the creative modes, the flash is automatically set to fill. This can be superimposed with flash exposure compensation measured in stops.

Not sure about M mode, I would also need to read the manual.
 
Hi

Yes Chris you are right they are fractions. I have been experimenting and I have to say I am pleased with the results but I am trying to work out what it is actually doing.

Setting the F stops is from my years with the metz. I look at a portrait of a bride for example and if I have set the camera to F8 I then work out how much fill I want, if any. Maybe two stops less or one stop, maybe equal. How do I do that with the 430?

stew
 
Yes the old days, where you had to work things out for yorself, now it seems a little to easy!!!!.

There are a couple of ways to do what you want with the 430. Now dependent on your camera you could use the FEL feature. ( Check the manual for this ) . Set your camera to Av to get the exposure. Now use the FEL button( again refer to the manual) to pre flash. The camera measures the output from the flash and compares it to the normal non flash exposure and compensates for this. Now dependent on what you are taking you may find the flash is a bit to powerful. In this case drop the power by dialing in exposure comp on the flash . You can do this on the camera as well, but I find it simpler to use the flash, as you can forget that you've wound in some compensation and leave it set on the camera.

The other way is put the flash on manual and adjust the output that way. A little more trial and error I'm afraid.
 
Thanks Chappers...........I think the metz might be coming out again :):)
 
I wouldn't diss the 430 just yet. Try using the FEL option, and drop the exposure by -1 stop on the gun. Works fine for me MOST of the time. Just takes a bit of practice. You'll find quickly what adjustment , if any you need to make Honest
 
How does he exposure compensation relate to F stops, thats where I am struggling

stew
 
got it I think, 1/3..2/3 ....then 1 stop

stew
 
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