580 EX II is this normal ?

[r.morales]

I thought this would be better . Just a practice shot in house .
Trying to learn new camera flash .
To me the on camera flash did a better job than the 580

[viperx27]

the flash is capable of many many things. Learning ow to use it and control it has a bit of a learning curve and requires more than just throwing it on top and firing away.

I'd suggest spending some time reading about it in the lighting forum and all the good stickies in there or the How to's form Strobist

[r.morales]

Thanks , been reading posts since it was announced , doesn't mean I understood or didn't miss a few . The factory manuel didn't / doesn't help and only books I have found just go to 580 but don't cover the II . Back to Strobist

[Curtis N]

Since we don't know anything of what settings you used for either of those shots, it's hard to help.

[cdifoto]

If you're referring to the shadows and harshness - no the 580EX II won't be any better than the popup if you're just going to aim it straight on.

What it does do is let you bounce it off various surfaces and has MUCH more power for outdoor fill.

As for exposure, +2/3 FEC is a good starting point for Speedlites when it's the primary/only light source.

[dbdors]

What mode were you shooting in? Av, Tv, P, M? Makes a difference. If anything other than P, what was the shutter speed and Apeture?

[cdifoto]

Image 1:
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Image Date: 2007:12:06 19:42:37
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 48.0mm
CCD Width: 2.29mm
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Exposure: program (Auto)


Image 2:
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Image Date: 2007:12:06 17:55:25
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 55.0mm
CCD Width: 2.29mm
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Exposure: program (Auto)

[H20boy]

I like to use my 580 set to fire at 1/200 constant shutter speed in Av mode by changing custom menu in the camera. The flash will then adjust its output for the metered scene. The default setting looked dark to me as well. ?? maybe??

[orophin]

basically you should avoid direct flash. Boucing is a good idea and using it with TTL you only have to do EV compensation. This is the very basic thing to do in the beginning!

[r.morales]

Thanks , just got back to reading rest of posts . Thanks for posting picture info .
From what I have figured out so far
1. too close
2 should have been on tripod , but doesn't mean I would not "bump" lens on removing flash .
3 have to learn more about EV and FEC . Both pictures say flash used - manual . Is there an auto ?

[cdifoto]

Both pictures say flash used - manual . Is there an auto ?

That's just FxIF misreading the EXIF data and/or assuming FEC is manual flash.

[Stefano7]

For learning purpose, the Blue Crane Digital "Canon Speedlite 580EX" (also covers 580EXII) DVD isn't bad.

[r.morales]

I thought it just cover the 580 EX and didn't cover the improvements to 580EX . From what I read there is a bunch of difference between the 2 . I go look again .
Thanks .

[r.morales]

Just checked , it only covers the 430 and early 580 ex . I email about either update or new DVD on 580 EX II .

[mebailey]

Thanks , just got back to reading rest of posts . Thanks for posting picture info .
From what I have figured out so far
1. too close
2 should have been on tripod , but doesn't mean I would not "bump" lens on removing flash .
3 have to learn more about EV and FEC . Both pictures say flash used - manual . Is there an auto ?

Try setting the camera on manual and the flash on ETTL. If you only want fill flash set camera to Av or Tv and leave flash on ETTL.

[r.morales]

Thanks , I did just order the Blue Crane Digital on the XTI .

[r.morales]

If anyone is interested this is the reply and post to blue crane - from what I read here there were major improvements to 580 - they say no .

Hi Roy,

the upgrade from the 580EX to the 580EX II was very, very minor. There
is no difference in the way they operate for almost all flash operations.
I believe there were 8 "upgrades" from the original EX, things like
material cases other things that are not part of our DVD, since our instruction
focuses on how to operate the flash for best results. There is no update to the DVD, since there was essentially no change in operation. You can purchase our DVD and get a good understanding of how to operate your EX II, even while watching the original EX on the DVD.
Good luck with your new flash unit. It can really help improve your
results.

Bryan Poffenberger
Blue Crane Digital

-----Original Message-----
To: info@BlueCraneDigital.com
Subject: 580EX II

Has the video been upgrade to include the 580EX II ? What is the name
of new one and how do I tell from one that just covers the 430 EX /
580 EX ?

[cdifoto]

If anyone is interested this is the reply and post to blue crane - from what I read here there were major improvements to 580 - they say no .

ETTL-II is ETTL-II. "Major improvements" include a metal foot, weather sealing, silent recycle, improved battery door, etc. No change to ETTL-II.

[garycoleman]

I use the manual mode, set the shutter to 1/200, set aperature depending of DoF, and let ETTL handle the flash out put

[bohdank]

Set to Av, fixed shutter (for flash) at 1/250 (40D) and pick aperture, depending on what I want. Bounce the light of something. This is for flash as main lighting. Pretty much a no brainer.