Off camera flash advice

[Matthew Forrest]

Hi

Im looking for advice on using an off camera flash properly,im firing it using a wireless trigger and it fires ok,however it seems that the flash seems to over expose everything like its too powerful,Is there setting i should tweak on the flash?? Im using a canon 430ex flash with an ishoot wireless trigger.

Any pointers would be very much apprecieated..

cheers....

[matt wilson]

From the little I have read you are triggering the flash but losing TTL metering .You will therefore need to set up camera and flash manually .Get correct flash sync speed and then set flash power or use flash exposure bracketing .

[hssutton]

As matt says, or rig up a flash difuser. Kitchen paper towels is ideal. Also switch your camera to manual and fire of a few test shots to obtain the correct exposure. I often use three flash heads when photographing flowers indoors, but always shoot in manual.

[Cutter]

Dont be afraid to move the flash away or closer to achieve the exposure as well, but be sure to keep checking that histogram there are many ways to achieve your results TTL metering , manually inc or decrease , or move the flash closer or further away. hope this helps

[Matthew Forrest]

Hi guys

Thanks for your advice so far,I don't have a manual for my flash,I may be able to download a manual,and have a read up on its functions.

[HinFrance]

You should also be able to fire the flash in 'wireless' mode using the camera's pop up flash to trigger the off camera unit - doing it this way will allow the use of TTL. I'm sorry I have no idea what the Canon terminology is for this method. It should be in the manual somewhere.

Or you could splash out on some Pocket Wizards and get off camera TTL that way

[Matthew Forrest]

I didn't think it was possible to fire the external flash using the on camera flash? Can anyone enlighten me as to if this is possible with a canon 400D ? It would be handy if it does?

Thanks matty

[matt wilson]

Unfortunately it's not possible .(it only became a feature with the eos 7 d camera )

[amk1977]

Originally Posted by HinFrance

You should also be able to fire the flash in 'wireless' mode using the camera's pop up flash to trigger the off camera unit - doing it this way will allow the use of TTL. I'm sorry I have no idea what the Canon terminology is for this method. It should be in the manual somewhere.

Or you could splash out on some Pocket Wizards and get off camera TTL that way

Is that the "commander mode" that I can use with my Metz 58 on the Nikon D90?


Also, would Matt be able to use a flash extension cord via the hotshoe and keep TTL?

[HinFrance]

Originally Posted by amk1977

Is that the "commander mode" that I can use with my Metz 58 on the Nikon D90?


Also, would Matt be able to use a flash extension cord via the hotshoe and keep TTL?

I'm sure a TTL extension lead would work too. Oddly, or rather coincidentally, I have a Metz 58AF too . .

I'm guessing that 'commander' is what Nikon call it. Pentax call it 'wireless'. One of the things that keeps me a Pentax man is how few 'advanced' (and I use the word advisedly) features Cankon have until you have sold several limbs to move well up the product range.

My £600 K20D has wireless flash, multiple exposure, 5 shot auto bracketing, a built in intervalometer, is weather sealed, has ISO priority mode, individual lens micro focusing adjustment, and will work with any Pentax SLR lens ever made, all of them with image stabilisation as this is built into the sensor. To name but a few key features. The fact that it is built like a tank is a bonus when you're as clumsy as I am

It doesn't do video, but it does have tethered shooting. Neither of which I do anyway.

Against, it has relatively slow AF and high ISO noise performance is nothing to write home about. But then it was significantly cheaper than a Cankon with similar abilities.

I think I have just talked myself into buying a K5, dammit.

Forgot to say Matthew, unless I am at a party or somesuch I always use manual flash controls anyway.