Manual Mode... Confused (what am I missing?)

[ckphoto]

I was taking photos at a parade last night. Using the 580EX flash and the 28-135mm. I had time to experiment, so I thought I would try some manual shots. I couldn't get a shutter speed that was fast enough. However when I turned the camera to Program mode, it did just fine. So, I went back to manual to duplicate the settings. I couldn't do it. What am I missing? Here is what I mean..

Program Mode:
f/3.5
SS 1/60
ISO 640
flash working

Manual Mode:
f/3.5
SS 0"6 (I couldn't get it any faster with the f/stop)
ISO 640
flash working

[RedHot]

With manual mode and flash you'd need to ignore the light meter. I suggest you start with the Flash Photography 101 in this sticky:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

[Roach711]

When I'm using the Canon flash I set the camera (in M mode) to ISO 200, f5.6 or 7.1, shutter at 1/100th and flash in ETTL mode. The flash will compensate for exposure in most conditions. I use this same setup when I'm doing macro with the flash. I usually set the camera to FEC +2/3 for proper exposure.

If the flash is firing hard I up the ISO a bit.

[doidinho]

Manual Mode:
f/3.5
SS 0"6 (I couldn't get it any faster with the f/stop)

Your camera was either in Av or Tv mode, or your camera is going into one of these modes when you switch it to manual; this is something that would never happen in manual mode.

In Av and Tv modes you camerea will only allow settings that produce a proper exposure (according to the cameras light meter) unless you manually change the exposure compensation.

Check to make sure the camerea is set to M, not Av or Tv, and then try it again. I'm guessing that the background was underexposed in your program mode shots.

[RedHot]

Your camera was either in Av or Tv mode, or your camera is going into one of these modes when you switch it to manual; this is something that would never happen in manual mode.


No, I doubt this. What the OP was likely doing was using the light meter to dial in a good exposure in manual mode. With dark conditions I can see this happening. As I said it my response, you have to ignore your light meter in manual model.

P mode will use 1/60 and within 1/3 stop of wide open as default.

[ckphoto]

Verbalizing what I think you are saying.

I should have dialed the shutter the a fast speed and ignored the exposure meter, let it show over or under exposure, and let the flash provide the light.

Flash is so much more to learn than exposure. Thanks.

[cdifoto]

Verbalizing what I think you are saying.

I should have dialed the shutter the a fast speed and ignored the exposure meter, let it show over or under exposure, and let the flash provide the light.

Flash is so much more to learn than exposure. Thanks.

Letting it show underexposure is fine but you never want it to show overexposure.

[ckphoto]

Got it.