Help with using Canon 430EX Flash ...

[sdd]

I bought a Canon flash and used it on full auto mode ... but my pics are bot coming out as bright as I hope it would be indoors. I tried all ISO levels and various settings. The pics are underexposed. If I turn on all the lights in the room then the pics are nice and bright.

I have not played with the flash exposure compensation.

Using a 400D and the 430EX (auto, ETTL).

Any tips?

 

[bwana]

Have you tried it in P mode or just green square (full auto)?

 

[BigAl-sa]

Have you tried it in P mode or just green square (full auto)?

Just to clarify: "Have you tried the camera in P mode or just green square (full auto)?



What you can also try is cleaning the flash contacts on the camera with alcohol.

Can you maybe post a sample pic?

 

[sdd]

Yeah I used it in P mode and full auto.

I bumped up the FEC (flash exp comp) to +1 and things looked much better. I think it had to do with the background wall being bright.

I expected to see nice bright photos when I plugged it in (like you do with a P&S).

Q1: When you bounce light off the white ceiling, do you have to bump up your FEC as well?

Q2: What is the purpose of the diffuser that you pull out and when do you use it?

 

[bwana]

Yeah I used it in P mode and full auto.

I bumped up the FEC (flash exp comp) to +1 and things looked much better. I think it had to do with the background wall being bright.

I expected to see nice bright photos when I plugged it in (like you do with a P&S).

Q1: When you bounce light off the white ceiling, do you have to bump up your FEC as well?

Q2: What is the purpose of the diffuser that you pull out and when do you use it?

Q1 - with ettl the answer should be no.
Q2 - thats for ultra wide angle shots . . or at least it is for the Sigma's

Did you bump up the FEC on the flash or the camera - iirc there is a screen message that says doing it on the camera has no effect when you're using an external flash.

 

[BigAl-sa]

Did you bump up the FEC on the flash or the camera - iirc there is a screen message that says doing it on the camera has no effect when you're using an external flash.

I use the camera FEC all the time (I find it quicker to use than the flash's EC on the 40d) and it does work. When I use the 580ex's bounce card (a bit different to a ceiling bounce) I normally set the FEC to +1.3 to get the light right. Also, when bouncing, be aware of the colour of the surface you're bouncing off. Unless it's white, you can get an unacceptable colour cast which can also make the image look dark.

 

[bwana]

I use the camera FEC all the time (I find it quicker to use than the flash's EC on the 40d) and it does work. When I use the 580ex's bounce card (a bit different to a ceiling bounce) I normally set the FEC to +1.3 to get the light right. Also, when bouncing, be aware of the colour of the surface you're bouncing off. Unless it's white, you can get an unacceptable colour cast which can also make the image look dark.

Yes, you're correct - I was a bit off with my recollection. It does work however the flash FEC overrides the camera's FEC so if he has set low on the flash changing it on the camera wont have the desired effect.

 

[sdd]

Q1 - with ettl the answer should be no.
Q2 - thats for ultra wide angle shots . . or at least it is for the Sigma's

Did you bump up the FEC on the flash or the camera - iirc there is a screen message that says doing it on the camera has no effect when you're using an external flash.

@bwana: bumped FEC on the flash ...


1. An update ... boy am I loving this flash now. I am using this trial software called nik efex and I must say that it is awesome. Can't wait to buy it.

2. A bit off topic but what software are you using for noise reduction ... I use noise ninja and it works good, but I wanted to know if there was something better ... downloading nik Dfine at the moment to give it a try.

later
sdd

 

[bwana]

@bwana: bumped FEC on the flash ...


1. An update ... boy am I loving this flash now. I am using this trial software called nik efex and I must say that it is awesome. Can't wait to buy it.

2. A bit off topic but what software are you using for noise reduction ... I use noise ninja and it works good, but I wanted to know if there was something better ... downloading nik Dfine at the moment to give it a try.

later
sdd

Which efex package? I use colour and silver and love em both.

I had the trial of Dfine and thought it was fantastic but as I already had noise ninja I didnt bother buying it. Both are great imo.

Still - dont go overboard - noise isnt always a bad thing.

 

[sdd]

Was referring to color efex 3.0 ... it is awesome.

Maybe I will download Silver efex to check it out too.