how do you meter...?

[jd40]

when I take pictures outside using 430 EX flash, I always get over exposed result. If I use built-in flash (canon 40D), then it's fine.
So how do you meter your subject using external flash outdoor?
and what speed should you set the camera at? auto or 1/250s?

thnx

[ofdphoto]

Go spend some time reading here:

http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

You'll particularly want to learn about FEC (flash exposure compensation; your camera/flash manuals will help you get started with that) and ambient/flash balance.

Hope that helps.

[zacm7]

get a light meter. just fire the flash check the stats on the meter and adjust accordingly. i picked up a cheap sekonic L308 for about 100bucks and it works great.

[ofdphoto]

get a light meter. just fire the flash check the stats on the meter and adjust accordingly. i picked up a cheap sekonic L308 for about 100bucks and it works great.
Good idea ... if you have plenty of time to create a shot and are happy to use manual flash control. A gentler place to start is figuring out how to shoot effectively with E-TTL.

And an L308S is twice that price, roughly. I only use mine for indoor studio-type work... you can't use a flash meter in "real life" ... it only works when your subjects are happy to pose patiently for you, or you're in a single set-up formal shoot type thing.

[John_B]

jd40,
Seeing how it comes out fine with the 40D built in flash, my guess is that you have the external set differently.
See page 103 of your manual and make sure both internal and external are set the same, I believe it will fix your problem ;)

[jd40]

jd40,
Seeing how it comes out fine with the 40D built in flash, my guess is that you have the external set differently.
See page 103 of your manual and make sure both internal and external are set the same, I believe it will fix your problem ;)


thnx Joh
I'll try it at home later.


liarms,
that's a good point of how impractical using a separate flash meter in "real life" if you shoot anything other than model


I rarely have time to experiment with flash because I'm at work during the day, and when I get home at night, it's too dark to play with it outdoor.

[Wilt]

Look for FEC being cranked into the flash unit, if it has that adjustment in the flash

[PacAce]

when I take pictures outside using 430 EX flash, I always get over exposed result. If I use built-in flash (canon 40D), then it's fine.
So how do you meter your subject using external flash outdoor?
and what speed should you set the camera at? auto or 1/250s?

thnx

What kind of flash are you using? Is it ETTL compatible?

[Wilt]

when I take pictures outside using 430 EX flash, I always get over exposed result. If I use built-in flash (canon 40D), then it's fine.
So how do you meter your subject using external flash outdoor?
and what speed should you set the camera at? auto or 1/250s?

thnx

What mode is your camera in...Av, Tv, M, P ?
Is the CFn for Av shutter speed with flash set to '1/250 (fixed)' or 'Auto'?

Here's an example of why the above questions can matter...

Assuming your camera was set to ISO 100, outdoor exposure could be 1/100 f/16 simply for ordinary ambient-only exposure. If your flash was enabled, the camera in Av mode and your aperture was set to f/4, for example, the camera needs to have shutter speed of 1/1600 simply for the ambient light! But since it knows the flash is set and the camera is in Av mode and the CFn is set to 1/250, it shoots at 1/250 f/4, which is about 2.5EV of overexposure!

[jd40]

What mode is your camera in...Av, Tv, M, P ?
Is the CFn for Av shutter speed with flash set to '1/250 (fixed)' or 'Auto'?

Here's an example of why the above questions can matter...

Assuming your camera was set to ISO 100, outdoor exposure could be 1/100 f/16 simply for ordinary ambient-only exposure. If your flash was enabled, the camera in Av mode and your aperture was set to f/4, for example, the camera needs to have shutter speed of 1/1600 simply for the ambient light! But since it knows the flash is set and the camera is in Av mode and the CFn is set to 1/250, it shoots at 1/250 f/4, which is about 2.5EV of overexposure!

I see
I'm using canon 40D and the flash 430 EX

when I set to "auto", I noticed the speed was 1/60 (mode P, A, ADEP)
so I should set the cFn speed at 1/250 instead?

if I dial the FEC down, does that adjust the speed, aperature, and ISO automatically?

[Wilt]

I see
I'm using canon 40D and the flash 430 EX

when I set to "auto", I noticed the speed was 1/60 (mode P, A, ADEP)
so I should set the cFn speed at 1/250 instead?

I think you need to post an example photo of your overexposure phenomenon so we can examine the EXIF data and diagnose from there.

In Green Box mode or P, it is quite normal for the camera to shift to 1/60 when flash is popped up, and the CFn setting (Auto vs 1/250) has no bearing in this mode...the CFn menu clearly states it is for Av mode!

if I dial the FEC down, does that adjust the speed, aperature, and ISO automatically?

Dialing down FEC has NO AFFECT on the camera setting, it merely regulates the flash output in terms of quantity of light!