Help on an easy 430ex flash question...

[EcoRick]

With the holidays coming, I'm sure I'll be using my 430ex. I'm new to that flash. I've had some experience with strobes, but for some reason I really stuggle with the 430ex. When I shoot with stobes, I shoot everything in manual. With the 430ex, the only way I know how to shoot is in the "P" mode. If I try aperture priority, my shutter speed doesn't adjust enough to accomodate the flash (or the flash isn't adjusting to the aperture). Is there an easy way to adjust the 430 to accomodate the various aperture priority options? I know someone will suggest to read the manual, which I've done, but I've had great success asking here as I get answers I understand.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[irishman]

I'm in the same boat. I've been experimenting with using Av mode, high-speed Synch, and setting my FC to -1. I also use a Lightsphere. When I use "p", it works but the light is harsh, has a blue last to it and the background is completely black because the shutter is so fast it doesn't allow for ambient light. Keep working with Av, I think its just trial and error.

[Titus213]

I would suggest you go with what you know, shoot in manual - at least on the camera. Leave your flash in ETTL mode. Set your ambient light exposure in M mode according to what you want your background to look like and then shoot. This is adjusted with the shutter speed (up to max sync speed) and ISO. The flash will take care of the foreground up to it's power capabilities. Adjust your light with FEC from the camera. I don't have a 5D so I can't help with that, but this is the method I use on my 20D w/430EX. Works quite well even when bouncing the light.

[Curtis N]

If you can use M with strobes, you can use M with E-TTL flash.

Instead of adjusting the strobe power, you adjust FEC.

That's just the beginning, but it'll get you started.

[PacAce]

If you can use M with strobes, you can use M with E-TTL flash.

Instead of adjusting the strobe power, you adjust FEC.

That's just the beginning, but it'll get you started.

I second Curtis' suggestion.

[EcoRick]

Thanks for the help. I'll give manual a try. I guess I should start playing with it before the holidays.

[Jim M]

I would guess that aperture priority would be the worst possible way to shoot with ETTL unless the flash was set for HSS. Since the camera can't adjust the aperture, when it hits 1/250 shutter speed, it doesn't have anywhere to go. Also, in either A or T mode, the auto white balance is set for the ambient light. If that is incandescent, then the flash will look blue. Using manual mode on the camera is really an easy way to use ETTL flash in my opinion, but you do have to meter for the camera's manual exposure.

[MT Stringer]

Ditto what Titus said. I have the same equip as he does. I've been practicing on the tree.
Camera in manual, SS @ 125, F/stop at 4.5, ISO 400, Flash on Auto bounced off the cathederal ceiling. I had to add a little FEC to get it right.

Start practicing. You'll see how easy it really is. You set the lens opening and shutter speed and the flash will figure out the rest.

Good luck.
Mike

[EcoRick]

Thanks for the help. I tried doing what you've suggested (SS at 125 and F/stop at 4.5) and my exposure level blinks for underexposure under low light conditions. If I adjust the shutter speed or aperture, it corrects itself. Do I just fire away with the exposure level so low and let the flash take care of it?

[PhotosByEric]

Thanks for the help. I tried doing what you've suggested (SS at 125 and F/stop at 4.5) and my exposure level blinks for underexposure under low light conditions. If I adjust the shutter speed or aperture, it corrects itself. Do I just fire away with the exposure level so low and let the flash take care of it?

That's what I do. Let the flash work for you.

Eric

[Curtis N]

Do I just fire away with the exposure level so low and let the flash take care of it?Yep.

That indicator only gives you an ambient light reading. If you aren't relying on ambient light for your exposure, don't worry about it.

[Titus213]

Thanks for the help. I tried doing what you've suggested (SS at 125 and F/stop at 4.5) and my exposure level blinks for underexposure under low light conditions. If I adjust the shutter speed or aperture, it corrects itself. Do I just fire away with the exposure level so low and let the flash take care of it?

This is where your preference comes into play. The closer you get to a normal exposure with the ambient light the less the flash will add to the image. Just keep your shutter speed high enough to eliminate shake and your f-stop high enough to give you the DOF you want and let the flash do its thing. Adjust the amount of flash you are adding with FEC if the ambient looks good.

[dithiolium]

I'm using a 430EX as well. Noticed that ETTL is active only for direct flash, its no longer ETTL when we angle the flash head, is this true?
I would usually bounce the flash against the ceiling, and depending on the room height, adjust the FEC. Or use an omnibounce in a small room.

Av mode, you set the aperture, the cam will choose the speed to suit the lighting without flash, and does not compensate for flash. In the end the pic may be overblown. We can set the flash sync speed in CnFn, but its fixed 1/200 or 1/250 depending on cam. Somewhere in the manual.

For flash photography I either use M or P. I'm stil experimenting.

[Curtis N]

I'm using a 430EX as well. Noticed that ETTL is active only for direct flash, its no longer ETTL when we angle the flash head, is this true?E-TTL works for bounced flash, too. What you lose when you bounce the flash is the distance scale on the back of the flash unit.

[EcoRick]

Thank you all for the great help! I knew I'd get answers I'd understand that weren't in the manual. Now I'm ready for the holidays to begin (after I practice a bit more).