Shooting with flash and off camera ettl

[Danny133]

What method of shooting should I use?

AV
TV
M

I normally always shoot in AV but sure ive read that stops speedlight functioning automatically?

 

[HoppyUK]

I think you've read wrong Danny

Most people use Av anyway, most of the time, and it's the best mode for auto flash. You can then adjust the shutter speed to control ambient light (and nothing else), using compensation on the camera; and adjust flash exposure with output power (and nothing else), using compensation on the gun.

 

[Danny133]

glad to hear that lol!

so i can stick with shooting AV yeah and the flash both mounted on camera shoe and off camera will function automatically and self adjust assuming im using ettl?

 

[Mike Jackson]

I prefer to shoot in M when using a flash. In AV or TV the camera will meter for the ambient and use the flash as fill flash to light up the subject.

In M I select Aperture, shutter speed and ISO and the flash will provide the correct exposure.

If ambient light is reasonable I've found it okay in AV but in poor light or using very narrow apertures I've found the exposure times to be too long.

 

[HoppyUK]

glad to hear that lol!

so i can stick with shooting AV yeah and the flash both mounted on camera shoe and off camera will function automatically and self adjust assuming im using ettl?

Yes. It will do the same in Tv or P, but Av gives the most discreet control of both the ambient and flash exposures, as described above, so that's usually favourite.

You can also use manual on the camera and E-TTL on the gun, or vice versa, or full manual on both. Lots of options. And there are different shutter speed default options on Av with flash, which prevent it getting too long and risking blur (in custom functions).

You just have spend a little time getting to learn this stuff. Flash exposure is much harder to calculate than ambient, because it is so sensitive to distance, and the camera is trying to get that right, and the ambient right, and get the two balanced nicely together.

TBH, it usually does a pretty good job of that, but not always, and you need to get used to the compensation controls and the lock facility (FEL* button - see handbook).