Fillin Flash in Bright Sunlight - How?

[Pete]

I have to admit to being a tad confused here.

What I'd like to do is some portraits outside with the 5D and 85L, preferably close to wide open, so I get some nice bokeh backgrounds. Being the idiot that I am, I assumed that putting the flash (Sigma 500 DG Super) into ETTL mode and setting FEC at -1 would get me pretty close.

However, it looks like it's imposing a maximum shutter speed of 1/200 onto the camera. With the AV Safety Shift CF set on, it imposes an aperture of 5.6 on me. Clearly, that's not going to give me the background blur that I want.

So. How can I do what I want to do (fill in flash with creamy bokeh)?

Do I simply forget about the flash altogether and use a reflector?

Or would a 580EX II have the features that will allow this?

[scot079]

use spot meter and meter for your background. then (in manual) turn your flash to 1/8-1/16 dpending on how close your subject is. you choose the aperture. if you use 1.2, then maybe 1/64 on your flash would do it.

[René Damkot]

Rubbish. That would overexpose the ambient. Flash power or metering mode isn't the issue here...

Set the flash to High speed sync (HSS), that will allow flash at any shutterspeed.

[Pete]

use spot meter and meter for your background. then (in manual) turn your flash to 1/8-1/16 dpending on how close your subject is. you choose the aperture. if you use 1.2, then maybe 1/64 on your flash would do it.

Thanks for that.

But... When the flash is attached to the camera, how can I get a shutter speed of > 1/200? It just refuses to go any faster.

[Pete]

Rubbish. That would overexpose the ambient. Flash power or metering mode isn't the issue here...

Set the flash to High speed sync (HSS), that will allow flash at any shutterspeed.

I agree, that first piece of advice was a bit rubbish.

But René, yours worked like a dream. Many thanks for that...!! :D

[tommykjensen]

Thanks for that.

But... When the flash is attached to the camera, how can I get a shutter speed of > 1/200? It just refuses to go any faster.

I'll just quietly listen to the answer to this question ;)

[Pete]

I'll just quietly listen to the answer to this question ;)

Rene got it on the nose. For indoor work, I'm usually frustrated by using the flash. I know it must be simple (like Rene highlighted so simply), but I don't get it. In the end I usually end up dumping the flash and putting the ISO up.

[scot079]

ah yes, i see now. this only works for sunset type shots. thanks for putting it so kindly raynay!

[ipschoser1]

I'm only familiar with the Canon 550EX, but it has a high speed sync mode (FP). Basically, the light is pulsed at a very high frequency that, in effect, allows near continuous light output and any shutter speed to be used. The drawback is less light, but that isn't typically a problem for fill flash.

[Hangerhead]

unless i'm missing the point here... is this not more to do with High Speed Sync mode?
This will allow you camera to shoot at MUCH faster shutter speeds, even with the flash enabled.
HSS (apparently) has a slightly lower flash output, but for portraits, you'd be close enough anyway most times, otherwise then use FEC.

[René Damkot]

ah yes, i see now. this only works for sunset type shots. thanks for putting it so kindly raynay!

You're welcome! ;)
Wasn't trying to be harsh, just came out that way...

Then again: Setting even 1/64 on a 580EX (roughly the same GN as a Sigma IIRC) exposes a subject at approx. 6 meters correctly. (ISO 100 f/1.2) Not exactly what I'ld call fill flash in a typical portrait session with a 85mm FL on a FF camera... (subject distance would be around 2 to 3 meters approx.)

Also, the problem was clearly stated: " it looks like it's imposing a maximum shutter speed of 1/200 onto the camera". Only solution is the use of FP flash (HSS, whatever you call it), or lower the light coming in the lens (ND filter) enabling you to use a slower-then-sync shutterspeed yet get good exposure...

[Tee Why]

You can set the sync speed from 1/200 to auto on custom functions and then set the flash to high speed sync. That'll be you use higher shutter speeds with the flash.

[scot079]

You can set the sync speed from 1/200 to auto on custom functions and then set the flash to high speed sync. That'll be you use higher shutter speeds with the flash.

Really? Set the C.Fn on the flash or the camera?

Rene-no problem dude, i deserved it!

[Pete]

Thanks, Rene....

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos/normal/IMG_6206.jpg

[theflyingkiwi]

Rubbish. That would overexpose the ambient. Flash power or metering mode isn't the issue here...

Set the flash to High speed sync (HSS), that will allow flash at any shutterspeed.

thanks for that, I never knew that the flash had that abilty, I guess it's time to catpure water drops again :)