580 ex II question

[ozonepirate]

Ok when ever i put the flash on the camera to take a picture how do i set it to the correct power each shot as you sometimes cant take 2-3 shots to get the power output right?

[PacAce]

What settings are you using for the camera and the flash? If you are using the flash in ETTL mode, you don't have to worry about setting the correct flash output level for the shots as the camera will take care of that for you automatically. If you are using the flash in manual mode, the flash shows you what the optimal distance is (via a distance scale on the flash LCD) for the power level, aperture and ISO you currently have set on the camera and the flash if the flash head is pointed straight ahead. You can use that distance information as a starting point to help you determine what to actually set the flash output to. You can then take some test shots, check image and the histogram, and then adjust the flash output accordingly.

Or, you can take an incident meter reading of the flash.

The flash-to-subject distance, the reflectivity of the subject, the aperture used and the ISO will all determine how much light you're going to need. If any of these parameters change, the you'll need to adjust the flash output. If they don't, you can continue shooting without stopping for each shot to adjust the flash output unless you're not satisfied with the exposure.

[Titus213]

What settings are you using for the camera and the flash? If you are using the flash in ETTL mode, you don't have to worry about setting the correct flash output level for the shots as the camera will take care of that for you automatically. If you are using the flash in manual mode, the flash shows you what the optimal distance is (via a distance scale on the flash LCD) for the power level, aperture and ISO you currently have set on the camera and the flash if the flash head is pointed straight ahead. You can use that distance information as a starting point to help you determine what to actually set the flash output to. You can then take some test shots, check image and the histogram, and then adjust the flash output accordingly.

Or, you can take an incident meter reading of the flash.

The flash-to-subject distance, the reflectivity of the subject, the aperture used and the ISO will all determine how much light you're going to need. If any of these parameters change, the you'll need to adjust the flash output. If they don't, you can continue shooting without stopping for each shot to adjust the flash output unless you're not satisfied with the exposure.

Assuming you're using a Canon camera?;)

[PacAce]

Assuming you're using a Canon camera?;)

If you weren't using a Canon camera, then the flash wouldn't be working in ETTL mode (setting the flash to ETTL mode and working in ETTL mode are two different things). ;)