Can anyone help me with using the built in flash on 10D ?

[quickben]

I'm going to do some indoor portrait shots of a friend's baby at the weekend and I'll probably end up using the built-in flash on my 10D (don't have a speedlight yet). I've been practicing, but I just can't seem to get it right with the flash. They all seem to be overexposed. I'll be using my 50/1.4, probably at f2.8 at ISO 100-400 in Av mode. When I start to see shutter speeds of less than 60-80, I'll want to turn on the flash. How do I get nice fill-flash ?

Cheers

Gary.

[jcost]

i am still learning but try to put a piece of tissue on the flash head, it will cut down on the flash and may give you what you want.

[PacAce]

I'm going to do some indoor portrait shots of a friend's baby at the weekend and I'll probably end up using the built-in flash on my 10D (don't have a speedlight yet). I've been practicing, but I just can't seem to get it right with the flash. They all seem to be overexposed. I'll be using my 50/1.4, probably at f2.8 at ISO 100-400 in Av mode. When I start to see shutter speeds of less than 60-80, I'll want to turn on the flash. How do I get nice fill-flash ?

Cheers

Gary.
If you're going to be shooting in Av mode, turning on the flash is not going change the shutterspeed very noticeably as in Av mode, the camera is going to be exposing for the ambient lighting. You're best bet is to set the camera on P is you're not sure about the settings or use the M mode and set the shutter speed to 1/60 or higher and the aperture to whatever you feel is appropriate. With an aperture of f/2.8, you might just want to keep the ISO at 100.

[Huckaback Photo]

Hello Gary.
I think we all know about using diffused or bounced flash but like yourself not all have a suitable flash to use.
My own prefference would be daylight through a window & one large sheet of card as a reflector.
Now you wish to use the pop up flash so, diffuse it some how.

Canon flash units work well with Omni Bounce Diffuser approx £15 so get one or make something similar from milk container ( theres a thread on here somewhere about this)
you can allways buy flash later.

something for you to try

Place the omni right over the on camera flash (secure with tape) see pic below.

set the camera on full auto .

I show this on D60 ( Taken with 1D mk2 No flash)

next 2 pics show with and without Omni fitted as shown
note softer shaddow under viewfinder of old camera

This is really meant to show all things are pos just put your mind to it.

Cheers
Martin

[Huckaback Photo]

Next images show results of above set up

first is without Omni Bounce fitted as shown

second is with (note shaddow under viewfinder)

Should also mention I sent the levels right up in photoshop
to make shaddows show up easier.

[tim]

Flash photography is hard. As well as the good advice above, you could try turning down the FEC, and working in manual mode. With my 550EX I tend to stick it on F8, 1/80th, the flash automatically exposes for those settings. You can use any aperture you like, the ETTL will turn the flash down so the exposure's correct.

[Andy_T]

Gary,

don't know if this helps you, but on the 20D there's a custom function that sets the sync speed to 1/250 in AV mode whenever the flash is used.

Don't know if this is available on the 10D as well, but you might check.

Also, try flash exposure compensation.

Best regards,
Andy