420EX flash

[Brianbar]

Does anybody have any suggestions.
I have a Canon 420EX flash, when I use it on either my 10D or Elan 11, the exposures are inconsistent, some underexposed and some over.
I am mounting the flash directly onto the hot shoe.

Brian
Winnipeg

[Scottes]

What settings are you using on the camera, Av, Tv, P? What are the conditions, ie; inside, outside backlit, etc?

Do you consistently get overexposure when backlit, or underexposure when inside?

Any more info will help.

[SWPhotoImaging]

It's obviously defective. I'll give you $50 for it :)

[Brianbar]

What settings are you using on the camera, Av, Tv, P? What are the conditions, ie; inside, outside backlit, etc?

Do you consistently get overexposure when backlit, or underexposure when inside?

Any more info will help.

Thanks for your response, all photos are taken inside using either Auto or (P)

[kufel]

Do you use Flash Exposure Lock? Your problem is probably related to recomposing the picture after focus lock. Try FEL and post the results. Also - I always use M preset to 1/120 or 1/200 and f/5.6 - f/8 and bounce off the ceiling (of course with FEL if I need to recompose after focus with compensation for pure black or white objects), the flash metering does excellent job.

[scottbergerphoto]

Does anybody have any suggestions.
I have a Canon 420EX flash, when I use it on either my 10D or Elan 11, the exposures are inconsistent, some underexposed and some over.
I am mounting the flash directly onto the hot shoe.

Brian
Winnipeg
I use the 420EX with my G2, 10D, and 550EX. I've never had that problem.
I suggest a simple test:
1.Set your 10D on a tripod on P or Auto, 420EX in the hot shoe.
2. Take a 5-10 of pictures of THE SAME subject / ambient lighting, starting with no FEC. Check to see if they are consistent (well exposed, underexposed, overexposed).
3. Then dial in different amounts of FEC until you get a good exposure. Then take another 5-10 shots at that setting.
4. If pictures taken at the same setting and the same subject/ambient lighting are inconsistent then there is a problem with the flash or the camera's ETTL.
5. If the pictures at a given setting are the same and you are able to properly expose the subject at a particular setting consistently, then it may be that you need to get more familiar with the ETTL. It is also possible that either the camera or flash is calibrated incorrectly, requiring you to add/decrease output with FEC when you should'nt have to.
Regards,
Scott

[Scottes]

Are you possibly focusing on a subject, then recomposing? This will throw off the flash also.

A couple of short articles to read which may help:
http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/flash.html
http://bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/eosfaq24/3flash.html#q0

[Brianbar]

Thank you all for your suggestions, they helped.
I tried another 420EX flash and had the same problem, so it must be me.
I will now try your suggestions, thank again
Brian