exposure compensation on 420EX

[zozman]

Hiya

I've got a 30D and I'm trying (without any luck) to reduce the flash exposure compensation on a 420EX, as it's blowing everything out in my tiny home studio. I've got the flash off camera, and it's triggered by a pc cable. I've got a horrible feeling that the compensation doesn't work on the 420.

Unfortunately I haven't got another flash unit or any wireless kit.

Anyone got any ideas?

[Titus213]

If you've got it on a cable it should be in manual mode since ETTL is lost. And since the 420EX does not support manual mode I don't know what to tell you...

[zozman]

Ah - I thought that might be the case but I wasn't sure. I'll see if I can do something by diffusing it or playing with my aperture and shutter speed.

Thanks for the reply though - if you want to tell me something, tell me you'll buy me a 580 and a pocket wizard :)

[Titus213]

Hey, even a 430EX will go to manual mode....

But if you want to use it off camera via a PC cord in manual mode check out the Sunpak 383, under $100 at B&H. They are a very highly thought of flash around here. I believe they are auto flashes but not Canon dedicated which means you set the flash for what you want, match the settings on the camera and shoot. It actually works quite well and some folks prefer it to ETTL.

How far off camera are you trying to get? The Canon off-shoe cord will get you 2 feet off, modified you can go further (requires soldering, etc). That retains ETTL and allows compensation via your 30D

[zozman]

Thank for that - I'll look that Sunpak up. It's only for an informal portrait session on Saturday, so no time to get anything new. I'll have a play tomorrow lunchtime when the conditions match.

Thanks a lot squire.

[Wilt]

A photosensorless flash cabled with a PC cord is a manual flash -- ANY flash! You must use your aperture to control exposure, or use fractional manual settings (1/2, 1/4) *if* your flash supports that -- or both -- to control exposure. The flash is outputting all the light it can, when triggered by the PC cord. I bet your lens is set to f/2.8 or f/4 and so the light is blowing out the photograph! A 580EX from 6' would need f/22 + 0.5 for a proper exposure at full power, and the 430EX is not a lot weaker. No wonder your photos are blown out.

[bolantej]

I'm with Wilt. Experiment a bit and you can get it to work. Diffusion through a sheet or something will probably help too.