scottbergerphoto
13th of October 2004 (Wed), 07:01
I called Canon Technical Support yesterday to get an answer to the following problem:
I use two 550EX's and a 420EX in a portable lighting kit. I had been using ratios set on the master. This works well. To simplify things a little, I wanted to set FEC independently on each 550EX instead of using ratios. The Manual says you can do it, as do a number of articles I've read on it. I set both 550's to ETTL, Slave on Group B. Unfortunately I kept finding that the Master setting kept over riding the setting on the slave. With the slave on +3FEC and the Master on -3, very little light from the slave.
I called Canon and the first rep I spoke to, insisted that it was not possible to set FEC independently on each flash in ETTL and that the Manual doesn't say that it can be done. Unfortunately I couldn't find the two sentences on page 70 that says you can and that was the end of that call.
I went back to the Manual, found the two sentences and called Canon back. The second rep also insisted it couldn't be done. I directed him to the two sentences on page 70. He was perplexed. He had very limited knowledge of how to set up the 550EX or use it's menus. Over the next hour, I walked him though the 550EX settings (to his credit he set up two 550EX's and a camera) and he was able to reproduce what had been happening to me. He didn't have a clue as to why. I then had an idea (it happens occasionaly). I asked him to change the Slave Group between A and B. Low and behold, we had an answer. It seems that you can only set FEC independently on each flash if they are both on Channel A, Master and Slave. Neither he nor his supervisor could explain why. We spent about 90 minutes on the phone. I would have thought they should know how to perform a function listed in the Manual.
I am greatful that the rep took the time to set up my scenario in his work area. I am however troubled by the fact that neither rep knew that the 550's had this capability and insisted that they didn't until I showed them in the Manual. The second rep, while willing to help and recreate my scenario, had little working knowledge of the 550EX and I had to assist him in how to set up the flash.
In case anyone is interested, I was eventually able to set FEC individualy on each flash as long as both are in Group A.
Regards,
Scott
I use two 550EX's and a 420EX in a portable lighting kit. I had been using ratios set on the master. This works well. To simplify things a little, I wanted to set FEC independently on each 550EX instead of using ratios. The Manual says you can do it, as do a number of articles I've read on it. I set both 550's to ETTL, Slave on Group B. Unfortunately I kept finding that the Master setting kept over riding the setting on the slave. With the slave on +3FEC and the Master on -3, very little light from the slave.
I called Canon and the first rep I spoke to, insisted that it was not possible to set FEC independently on each flash in ETTL and that the Manual doesn't say that it can be done. Unfortunately I couldn't find the two sentences on page 70 that says you can and that was the end of that call.
I went back to the Manual, found the two sentences and called Canon back. The second rep also insisted it couldn't be done. I directed him to the two sentences on page 70. He was perplexed. He had very limited knowledge of how to set up the 550EX or use it's menus. Over the next hour, I walked him though the 550EX settings (to his credit he set up two 550EX's and a camera) and he was able to reproduce what had been happening to me. He didn't have a clue as to why. I then had an idea (it happens occasionaly). I asked him to change the Slave Group between A and B. Low and behold, we had an answer. It seems that you can only set FEC independently on each flash if they are both on Channel A, Master and Slave. Neither he nor his supervisor could explain why. We spent about 90 minutes on the phone. I would have thought they should know how to perform a function listed in the Manual.
I am greatful that the rep took the time to set up my scenario in his work area. I am however troubled by the fact that neither rep knew that the 550's had this capability and insisted that they didn't until I showed them in the Manual. The second rep, while willing to help and recreate my scenario, had little working knowledge of the 550EX and I had to assist him in how to set up the flash.
In case anyone is interested, I was eventually able to set FEC individualy on each flash as long as both are in Group A.
Regards,
Scott