Problems with Canon EOS 350D flash photography

[light]

Hi,

HELP!!!!Please could someone try and give us some help, if possible, with a problem/issues we have using flash photography with a Cannon EOS 350D.

When we initially purchased the camera, we tried to use the built-in flash on full auto setting, but found that the pictures were not coming out very bright/seemed under exposed and had to manipulate the images through computer software.

As a recommendation from various, we then purchased a Cannon SPEEDLITE 430EX flash. We set the SPEEDLITE to fully automatic/ETTL zoom, with the camera mode dial on full auto setting, hoping there would be some improvement on flash photography, but, again, the pictures are still coming out very grainy, dark and not very sharp at all!!!!!.

Would someone be able to give any advice or tips on how to improve this or should there be any adjustments made in the settings on the mode dial/camera or the flash unit itself!!!???. Any advice would be much appreciated.

(For information, we used to use an Olympus Camedia C-2020Z compact digital camera & it was so easy to use. You just used to use auto or manual flash & it used to give really sharp/colourful/bright pictures.)

(Mark Robinson)

 

[antonroland]

Hello light

Welcome to TPF

Would you mind posting some examples

Would be able to give better advice when samples are available.

Cheers

Anton

 

[Byker28i]

What happens when you put the camera into full noddy (green square) mode?

 

[Milestone]

It's very difficult to give advice on how to improve something without an example of what the problem is. :shrug:

By "full auto" mode, I assume you are on the green square ? Have you tried using the AV or TV modes ?

 

[RobertP]

Put the camera in Manual mode, set it to f8 1/200th second and 100 iso and try some shots in an unlit (or low light) room with the flash gun.

If the shots are too dark then adjust the flash exposure compensation to +2/3rds (read the manual if unsure how to) and try again. You can adjust it up to +2 but shouldn't need to.

The flash fires until enough light comes back for the camera to say stop. something like a white ribbon reflecting light back at the camera can fool it into shutting off too soon - so watch out for bright reflections in the shot as they could make the overall picture dark.

Let us know how you get on.