Question about 580EX

[MsTracy]

Thinking about getting one this week. Know nothing about flash photography. I only shoot pics of my kids and want nicer indoor ones.
Is it complex to use this or will I be able to stick it on and move it around and get results rather quickly by experimenting or is it much harder than that?
Thanks,
Tracy

[Ronald S. Jr.]

It does a dandy job at e-ttl. You don't need to be able to use Manual mode to get great shots from it. Remember to take advantage of its immense power and get great shots with a bounced head, too.

[MsTracy]

I don't really understand the lingo so could you explain what e-ttl is and what does 'bounced head' mean....just bouncing the flash?
Sorry, told ya I didn't know much...;)

[Ronald S. Jr.]

e-ttl is the flash's way of metering light and determining the correct color temperature and light output, etc is. Basically, "auto mode" on the 580 works wonderfully. As for bouncing...you got it.

[MsTracy]

One last question...it's compatible w/ the rebel?

[Blue Deuce]

One last question...it's compatible w/ the rebel?

Yes.

[MsTracy]

Ok, I couldn't find anywhere that mentioned it was. I was about to be bummed or to upgrade my camera. I want to do that later,not just yet...
thanks.
Tracy

[Blue Deuce]

F.Y.I. http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=11154&pageno=7

[Jim G]

Try going through the links in the stickies at the top of the forum... the EOS Flash Bible is an interesting read but they all should expand your knowledge in relation to flashes in general and how to use the 580EX :)

[Curtis N]

Know nothing about flash photography. I only shoot pics of my kids and want nicer indoor ones. There are a few concepts involved which will make it a bit easier. It's important to know:
1) Every flash photograph is two exposures in one: an ambient light exposure and a flash exposure.
2) The camera meters the ambient light and flash exposure separately.
3) For the most part, shutter speed doesn't affect the flash exposure.
4) When flash is your main light source, adjusting the exposure compensation on the camera won't change much. If you want a brighter or darker picture, you need to adjust flash exposure compensation (FEC). Since the Digital Rebel doesn't have FEC, you'll need to do it with the flash unit.
5) One of the best ways to control your results with indoor flash is to put the camera in manual "M" mode, and the shutter speed at 1/200 or somewhere close. This will limit the amount of ambient light in the shot and let the flash do the metering via E-TTL.

Have fun!

[MsTracy]

Thanks everyone. I got my new 'toy' today. Playing around with it and love it already.

[steve547]

The less you know about flash photography, the more you'll like the Canon flashes. They are very different from standard flashes. Listen to Curtis. Set the camera on 'M' (manual) and keep the flash of auto (ettl). Use a shutter speed near 1/200 or 1/100 and an f stop of f8 or f11 or higher. The 580ex is powerful enough to do the rest. Have fun.

[René Damkot]

The less you know about flash photography, the more you'll like the Canon flashes.
The opposite is true as well :p

[tim]

If you don't want to have to learn anything stick the camera in P, the flash in ETTL, FEC to zero, and shoot away.

[steve547]

The opposite is true as well :p

You and I can get in alot of trouble on THIS forum Rene.

[tiefelj]

Thanks everyone. I got my new 'toy' today. Playing around with it and love it already.
Got mine today too. Flash has come a long way since my Olympus T-32, but the price has gone way up.

Jake