I have more flash questions

[Scott6]

OK, I have been reading like a mad mad about real flash photography. And im still confused about a few things.

1. When using flash I read that its not good practice to point, focus, and recompose (in manual mode) because the E-ttl will change its flash adjustments when the shutter button is fired. Is that right?

2. Now if I used the AEL button, it will lock exposer (in M that doesn't matter) but it will also act as FEL and pop the pre flash and lock that in too Right?

3. Do the same rules apply if im bouncing the flash?

4. What about putting the flash head only slightly angled up, and a sto-fen defuser installed?

[Doug Pardee]

1. This only applies to the original E-TTL. It does not apply to the modern E-TTL II used on the XT/350D, XTi/400D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 5D, and the mark II and mark III 1-series cameras.

2. The AEL button does not "pop the flash". The flash release button on the side of the flash housing does that. If the flash is up, the * button does not do AEL, it does FEL (unless Custom Function 4 is being used).

3. Which rules? Bouncing the flash is generally a Good Thing as long as you've got a surface to bounce off of. It will prevent reflections of the flash, including red-eye. It will provide more even lighting across a range of distances, giving better-lit backgrounds. It will provide better "modeling" of curved surfaces (people, for example).

4. Diffusers are a controversial topic. My suggestion is to use one only when bouncing isn't an option.

[Scott6]

First off I failed to mention I'm using a speed light (430ex or my new 580ex)

1. This only applies to the original E-TTL. It does not apply to the modern E-TTL II used on the XT/350D, XTi/400D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 5D, and the mark II and mark III 1-series cameras.

Ok, So in any of my modes AV, TV, or M, I can shoot focus and recompose all I want! good! you know I was testing this at home on my GF, I couldn't see a difference in the shots either way.. that explains it.

2. The AEL button does not "pop the flash". The flash release button on the side of the flash housing does that. If the flash is up, the * button does not do AEL, it does FEL (unless Custom Function 4 is being used).

When I push the * (is that AEL?) it fires a flash burst, I was under the impression that this was the flash metering itself. I was also under the impression that the * when used with flash will lock exposer and the FEL

3. Which rules? Bouncing the flash is generally a Good Thing as long as you've got a surface to bounce off of. It will prevent reflections of the flash, including red-eye. It will provide more even lighting across a range of distances, giving better-lit backgrounds. It will provide better "modeling" of curved surfaces (people, for example).

Yea I like bunching.. I have never had good results with flash straight on. This is what I am researching to learn to get better results with the flash straight on.

4. Diffusers are a controversial topic. My suggestion is to use one only when bouncing isn't an option.

How do you use it? 45 degrees?

[Curtis N]

It might help to try to condense this to a few simple statements.
1) E-TTL flash metering occurs when the pre-flash fires. Normally this happens when you press the shutter button, unless you use FEL first. As Doug mentioned, when your flash is turned on the * button becomes the FEL button and does not do AEL.

2) Bouncing the flash or using a diffuser does not change the way the flash is metered. It only changes the path of light from the flash unit into your field of view, usually sacrificing efficiency. Since the pre-flash follows the same path, the flash metering system still works normally.

3) There is no "right" way to use a diffuser, and there's a million diffusers out there. You need to ask and answer the question "Where do I want to put the light?" Before you decide how to aim the flash head or attach a modifier. Think about the light from your subject's perspective. Understanding what makes light appear natural, even and aesthetically pleasing is much more important than your choice of hardware.