How do you use your 420EX

[sclamb]

Hi all

Just a general question. How do you perefer to use your 420EX with your G3. Do you leave it on the green dot or do you leave it on hi-speed sync, or switch as required?

I noticed at the weekend that when I took pictures with the flash, wanting to get some fill flash, they were all overexposed by a long way. Trouble was that the image needed 1/1250sec at f/3.0 (using AV mode) and once the flash was activated it set a shutter speed of 1/250sec. Hence I got overexposure on all shots.

Once I switched to Hi-speed sync it was OK as the shutter speed did not get set to a slower speed.

I think I should perhaps leave it in hi-speed sync, unless anyone has reasons not to do so.

Simon

[12345Michael54321]

I believe high speed sync greatly reduces effective light output. (ie. lower guide number)

It's a great setting to use when needed. But it's rather foolish to use it unnecessarily.

[darrylr]

I will have to try this out. I couldn't come up with a reason to not leave it on high-speed sync all the time so that is what I have been doing. This way I don't forget to switch it over when needed.

So even if the shutter speed is 1/250 or slower, high-speed sync does not give the same results as having the flash set at normal sync? I assumed that it only had an effect when faster than 1/250.

Thanks,

-Darryl

[12345Michael54321]

If it automatically switched from hi-speed sync mode to normal sync, for shutter speeds slower than 1/250, I agree that it would make excellent sense to leave it on hi-speed mode all the time. Absolutely true.

However, I don't believe this automatic changeover occurs.

[PFlor]

According to pg. 14 of the 420ex manual, if you have the high speed sync switch set to on and if using a shutter speed slower than the fastest camera sync speed (1/250), then the flash automatically switches to Normal Sync mode. I think that the guide no. does change at shutter speeds above 1/180 but I don't think that would affect low light or indoor shots at the default shutter speeds of 1/60sec. I always have the flash set to high speed sync and haven't noticed a difference in flash output yet when shooting indoors.

[12345Michael54321]

According to pg. 14 of the 420ex manual, if you have the high speed sync switch set to on and if using a shutter speed slower than the fastest camera sync speed (1/250), then the flash automatically switches to Normal Sync mode.

I stand corrected. Thank you for pointing this out.

[sclamb]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I also left the 420EX in HSS mode today and have not yet noticed any issues with output.

Simon