580EX Help?

[Phil Light]

Is the 580EX manual the best resource for learning how to use this flash? I've had it for about two months and I find the manual a little hard to digest. Does anyone have a recommendation for other resources (i.e.; videos, tutorials, etc.) on this model?

[Jim G]

There's a sticky in the flash forum here entitled EOS Flash... check that :)

It has a link to the EOS Flash Bible and a good number of information and tutorials. Very good reading.

[Phil Light]

I have read that and it does contain a lot of excellent general information but I was looking for more specific information on using the 580EX.

[sapearl]

Take a LOT of test shots and play around with the FEC dial on the back of the 580. I read the manual, the stickies here, there ...... but it really started to sink in the more pictures I shot.

Remember, the Canon system acts as a FILL FLASH device when on Auto, unlike most of the strobes of the old film cameras way back in the day. This throws a lot of people, and I had a hard time initially trying to outhink the intelligence of the flash. What I wanted is not always what it gave me. Have fun and enjoy!:lol:

[sapearl]

Is there a specific question you have?

[Bill D.]

This site might be of some help:

http://www.photocheatsheets.com/

He has one for the 580EX.

[Phil Light]

Is there a specific question you have?

Not really. I find myself too often fumbling with the controls, wasting time trying to remember the exact combination of buttons vs. dial to get where I need to be. Clearly I just need to be more familiar with this piece of machinery. That's why I was hoping maybe there is a site with some tips, tricks, videos or tutorials or something. I hate to admit it, but I have a much more difficult time learning something from a book than being shown how.

This site might be of some help:

http://www.photocheatsheets.com/

He has one for the 580EX.

That does look like it would be something handy to have.

Thanks for the quick help. I would still welcome more if anyone has suggestions.

[TMR Design]

Well I'm not sure what settings you are referring to or if you just want general help but I found that initially the best thing to do was to use it in ETTL mode, control FEC from the camera, leave the Zoom on Auto and work with that. For me, just doing that has helped with getting the feel for flash photography and understand how the flash works. I am now just beginning to explore manual modes and I don't know the half of what the flash can do but I would say pick one mode or one feature and learn it, then move to another. There are no shortcuts of custom macros.

[sapearl]

I'm pretty much the same way on a lot of things, so you're not alone in this matter.

Initially you may just want to leave the 580 in ETTL-Auto mode to get the hang of things. Coupled with the camera, different lighting circumstances can "mislead" the camera's meter into sometimes under or overexposing with the flash. This is EXTREMELY evident in wedding and event photography when you have bright white dresses standing right next to black tuxedos.

Once you understand the kind of foibles that the ETTL metering will subject you too, you'll develop a better intuitive understanding of when to tell the flash to throw out perhaps a 1/3 stop more light, or maybe back off that amount. The ETTL is good, but not perfect.

........ I hate to admit it, but I have a much more difficult time learning something from a book than being shown how............Thanks for the quick help. I would still welcome more if anyone has suggestions.

[Bill D.]

Bert's Photo Cheat Sheet will give you a quick reference for finding all of the settings in each mode. It will help you find where to change the settings at a glance. But, as others have stated, knowing where to place those settings is another kettle of fish. Finding what the flash is capable of, and how you want an exposure to appear, will take some experimentation and effort on your part.

[Phil Light]

...The ETTL is good, but not perfect.

That is exactly the reason I decided that I need to bite the bullet and learn more about how this contraption works. (I AM intimidated! :D )

Thanks everyone for your input!

PS - Bill, I will probably order one of those cards.