external flash & 350D canon

[ralda]

I've a 350D Canon and a 580EX external flash. I'm trying to shoot using ambient light with flash bounced as a filler for low light area. I set the camera to 800 ISO. I can't get dof. Either I can have 60th Sec @ f4 or f11 @ 1/4 sec. I've tried the AV, TV and P mode. Does it mean I will have to go on tripod to achieve the dof desired?

[Chandler.]

I've a 350D Canon and a 580EX external flash. I'm trying to shoot using ambient light with flash bounced as a filler for low light area. I set the camera to 800 ISO. I can't get dof. Either I can have 60th Sec @ f4 or f11 @ 1/4 sec. I've tried the AV, TV and P mode. Does it mean I will have to go on tripod to achieve the dof desired?

I think it's time for M mode.

[JeffreyG]

Be aware that in Av and Tv modes the camera meter ignores the flash completely. It will set the shutter or aperture the same whether the flash is on or off.

Why don't you try M mode and simply set the aperture and shutter to what you want and see how well the flash does lighting the scene. If you need more ambient light from there then just go for the tripod and slow down the shutter until you get enough.

[Riff Raff]

If you're using the flash, you should probably be using M mode. Set the shutter speed and aperture to whatever you like. As long as the flash has enough power (and the subject isn't too far away), the flash will compensate. Keeping in mind that the more flash is used, the less ambient light you'll see in the final exposure.

[Ridebmx]

av/tv mode the flash is used as a fill flash, so if your bouncing it, its not going to be as bright as in M mode.

id use manuel mode and bounce flash, set your settings how you want and see how it goes from there.

you can always turn your FEC up to +1