Clueless with Flash (580EX II)

DorsetDude

DorsetDude

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Keith
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Hi all.

One of my cats is on his last legs so I wanted to try and get some photo's

I have Canon 450D and flash as mentioned in title, using a f1.4 50mm lens. I mount the flash in the hotshoe and try to bounce it with built in diffuser over.
Usually I am trying to take the pics in the evening, i.e fairly dark.
In the picture "portrait" mode with flash, the shutter stays open for ages after the flash goes off and also I cannot select single image mode, its alway on continuous shooting,

In "P" mode, the images come out way too bright even with -2 set on both the EV on the back of the camera and -2 on the flash exposure compensation in the menus.

Tv and Ev are much too complicated for me to enter into when using the flash so far.

Any tips on the settings I need to achieve a reasonably natural looking image appreciated. I also have a spirally flash cord thing so I could hold the flash off to one side if necessary.

Thanks
 
I would make sure the flash is in ettl. Then set the camera to P bounce the flash off the ceiling I would use evaluative metering it should give you acceptable results
 
wave01 said:
I would make sure the flash is in ettl. Then set the camera to P bounce the flash off the ceiling I would use evaluative metering it should give you acceptable results
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I set the ETTL on the actual flash? And evaluative where?

Thanks
 
on the back of your camera you have a four way pad with set in the middle the hand one should enable you to set the single shot you want. the top one looks like it sets the metering mode the right sets the one focus mode i.e. one shot or a1 servo and the bottom one sets the picture style. hope that helps
 
You could always switching to manual mode, try settings M on both the camera and the flash, set flash power to 1/16th, point it to ceiling, 160th, F2.8 - you may need to adjust flash power to 1/8th or 1/32nd depending on how bright things are coming out but thats a ball-park figure with decent DOF. Your issue may be if the room is fairly dark, it might be a focussing issue where its just <too> dark. If you're able to get a lamp on, near the cat to illuminate the cat somewhat, that will help the focussing system. Sorry to hear about your cat.
 
Cheers carl
Trouble with using M mode is if I get it wrong often the cat has moved by the time I've adjusted the power. I realised that most of my problems were caused by me having the pull out diffuser panel in use and trying to bounce at the same time. The flash doesnt like that, the whole LCD panel was flashing on and off. Removing that, Using P mode and bouncing seem to work reasonably although it means I cant select a wide aperture like 2.8 to get a shallow DoF. I am stuck with what P mode decides to give me.
 
john-oh said:
Have a browse of this - http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
everything you need, its pretty comprehensive.

I tend to use the camera in Manual (keep fixed don't bother making minor adjustments) and have the flash in ETTL as described here
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Thanks John, funnily enough Id found that googling over the weekend but found it was too much to take in and remember. I think I need to build up my knowledge step by step slowly being a bit of a thicky!

I bought Syl Arenas speedlight book when I bought the flash but for the life of me cant find it anywhere now. Doh.
 
DorsetDude said:
Thanks John, funnily enough Id found that googling over the weekend but found it was too much to take in and remember. I think I need to build up my knowledge step by step slowly being a bit of a thicky!

I bought Syl Arenas speedlight book when I bought the flash but for the life of me cant find it anywhere now. Doh.
Click to expand...
You're making life difficult by trying to make it simple. (as with any successful photograph, you need to start way before your cat is where you want to take the picture)

If the flash is the main source of illumination, the best advice is to start with your camera in M (don't panic). In Manual, you're now considering how much of the ambient light you want to include, which can be anything from none to lots), for ease, start with none. Set 200ISO 1/160 and f2.8, if you take a shot with no flash and those settings indoors, you'll see a completely black image. Now, whack your flash on ETTL, bounce it off the wall behind you and voila, a flash lit image.

Now your variables:
what are you bouncing off, tailor the direction of the light to improve your lighting.
You can raise your ISO and lower your SS (a bit) to allow in more ambient (the ETTL will balance to suit)
If the ETTL is significantly wrong, you can use FEC to get the exposure you want.

It's not difficult to take control, whereas trying to second guess what 'portrait mode' wants to do is a nightmare (as you've found).
 
Thanks Phil, will give it a whirl.

Is it easiest to change FEC on the flash or in the camera menu?

I'm quite chuffed I understood most of the acronyms an' all! :D
FEC flash exposure compesation
SS shutter speed
ISO international standards organisation
ETTL automatic flash wizardry
 
Is it easiest to change FEC on the flash or in the camera menu?

I use the camera - I don't find the (on) flash controls very intuitive

I'm quite chuffed I understood most of the acronyms an' all! :D
FEC flash exposure compesation
SS shutter speed
ISO international standards organisation
ETTL automatic flash wizardry

What would life be without the odd TLA ?

It's all jargon, but you will find yourself using it, it's just shorthand really.

Although trying to explain ISO to someone who has never used film is entertaining. (and I remember ASA !)
 
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