ETTL VS Manual

[aymanmb]

I know that post of you are using their off camera flashes manually rather than using ETTL, but was curious to see what % are using ETTL most of the time.

To be honest, I do not know why we would not use ETTL most of the time (if we can i.e. have the gear to do it).

Some prefer manual because it is cheaper to get started, just a cheap e-bay trigger, and you are ready to go.

But if cost was not an issue and you can have like 2 580EXII and 2 430EXII or may be also ST-E2, would you still prefer going manual and why?

[evolved]

I chose manual, because I want to decide how my lighting looks, I don't want to leave it up to my camera to decide.

[Big Mike]

An advantage of manual flash is consistency. Once you know what you are doing, it's very easy to get predictable results. E-TTL II isn't too bad...but it still has an element of uncertainty because we give up control to the camera's flash metering.

I'm not set up for E-TTL off-camera, so I use strictly manual but I do use E-TTL quite a bit when the flash is on the camera. I will even combine the two when circumstances allow.

[Dermit]

Manual is king when your subject to light distance is static. Here's why... when you use ETTL it will try and figure out proper amount of light/power to deliver based on what it 'sees'. So if I am shooting individual portraits and the first subject comes up and is wearing black, the next subject is wearing white, then one with gray, one with reflective sequins, one with satin blue, one with flat maroon, etc. The amount of light delivered by the ETTL system is going to vary all over the map for each shot. But if you think about it if the subject is the same distance from the light every time then the amount of light delivered given a static setting for aperture and ISO should be exactly the same. This is why manual is so perfect for this situation. You might have to figure it out on your own for the first shot. But once you have it dialed in you will nail the exposure every shot after.

Now, if you have subjects wandering about, like at a wedding reception and you are grabbing candids then ETTL just might be the answer as it will be able to compensate the power output for varying subject to light source distances better.

[René Damkot]

I chose manual, because I want to decide how my lighting looks, I don't want to leave it up to my camera to decide.

+1

Even when using Canon flashes is a wireless setup (580 as master, 550 as slave), I set them Manual most of the time.

If you have the time to set up a slave flash, you have the time to make sure it's consistent IMO.

[cdifoto]

Some prefer manual because it is cheaper to get started, just a cheap e-bay trigger, and you are ready to go.

Some prefer manual because it's consistent.

But if cost was not an issue and you can have like 2 580EXII and 2 430EXII or may be also ST-E2, would you still prefer going manual and why?
If cost was not an issue, I'd have studio strobes and power packs and a slave to carry 'em around from location to location.

[Titus213]

I use both equally but then my shooting for pay has been curtailed a bit lately. I would normally use manual in all but fast moving environments.

[daletu]

I shoot with ETTL most of time. I hold my camera on the right hand, and flash on the left, so I can move the flash to left or right of bride/groom at any angle in an instant of time. I know the distance reading will not be accurate but at least it's faster than adjusting it manually.

[FociBC]

I use ETTL when I am in the club and might bump up FEC a notches. I started with manual, but have gotten a bit lazy

[partsman]

Ettl for on camera snapshots. Does a decent job. Manual off camera because I control it all.

[BigBlueDodge]

For me it's simple. When using my studio strobes, I use manual. When using my Speedlites w/ST-E2 I generally just use ETTL, and dial in FEC as I see fit to get the lighting I need.

[aymanmb]

For me it's simple. When using my studio strobes, I use manual. When using my Speedlites w/ST-E2 I generally just use ETTL, and dial in FEC as I see fit to get the lighting I need.

I am not familiar with using the ST-E2, what do you mean by dialing in FEC?

[FociBC]

I am not familiar with using the ST-E2, what do you mean by dialing in FEC?

F.E.C. aka Flash exposure compensation. Basically a way of having your photos have more or less flash. I am sure someone else can explain it better than I right now:D

[aymanmb]

thanks I understand that, my question was about doing that using ST-E2 and still in ETTL mode

[BigBlueDodge]

The ST-E2 is nothing more than a transmitter to trigger remote Canon Speedlites. You do not dial in FEC using the ST-E2. You can dial in FEC in your camera, or in each flash unit. Many people don't like using ETTL with flashes, because the camera dictates the amount of light being fired by the flashes, and that may lead to un-predictable results. If you are comfortable using a flash on your camera with ETTL, then using a ST-E2 will be very natural to you. However, the ST-E2 also will trigger your flashes in manual mode, so if you don't like ETTL, then you can always set your flashes to manual, and dial in the settings you want, and use the ST-E2 as a trigger.

[doidinho]

ETTL is good for moments when you don't have time to set your flash manually; manual is definitely king.

[Lotto]

I spend the big bucks on the Canon wireless flash system for the ETTL and the moving subjects. On the other hand, I have studio strobes, have to shoot in manual.

Similar to choosing Av or M for outdoor shooting, it's about which system the users are comfortable with and speed. I like using ETTL for the simplicity of using without the light meter, cords and adapters, and different sets of batteries. Also for the fact the I could switch shooting from f1.8 to f8 on the fly without having go to each flash and adjust them (and re-meter). But there are situations that ETTL just does not work well, like poor line of sight and scene with lots shining reflections. Good thing Canon flashes work in manual mode too.

[Wilt]

There is a third alternative to eTTL and Manual flash...Auto flash! (photosensor in the flash unit)...which I use for remote lights off camera in mobile settings not conducive to flash metering in advance of the actual shot.

[aymanmb]

Great responses everybody.

Then, could you describe for me how your setup looks like when using ETTL. For example, how many flashes, where they are located in a reception for examples, how they are directed (bounced?), or you hold them with your hand,..etc a little more description of practically how do you personally use ETTL.

I would like to invest in ETTL system, but need to learn more about it 1st (I have learned my lesson).

Thanks

[René Damkot]

I think an advantage of using speedlites in a Canon wireless configuration is that you can control everything from the master flash (on camera). Even when you set the flashes to manual.

I use that quite a bit.

Example:
580EX with CTO gel on camera, 550EX on the floor in the elevator.

http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/081010_Das_Ich/content/bin/images/large/rhd_20081010_Ich_0567.jpg


Aother:
550EX on the left, just outside the frame, firing into the lamp that stands there ;)
580EX on camera, bounced.

http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/080807_BT/content/bin/images/large/rhd_20080807_Bolt_0620.jpg

Finally one I think was made on ETTL:
Straight on flash from the back, camera right.
Shows the problem I have with ETTL: back (or rim) light is very inconsistent: If the model shifts a bit, the amunt of light varies, and ETTL tries to compensate for that. No such problems when using manual flash.

http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/080327Jack/content/bin/images/large/rhd_200803027_Jack_0537.jpg

[PhotoMatte]

I use ETTL for my on-camera 580 EX and manual for my Pocket-Wizard-driven 580 EXII. I wish, sometimes, Pocket Wizards would let me shoot ETTL but they don't.

[Jim M]

I'm not really sure I voted for what you wanted. I only use one Canon flash at a time and use an off camera ETTL cord. Most of my off camera flash for that situation is for macro work and I always use ETTL. And I use ETTL on camera. For off camera work for larger things I use studio flash and it, of course, is manual. I've never had a need for off camera multiple flash that I couldn't use studio flash.

[drPheta]

I'm in love with RadioPoppers and ETTL off camera flash work. High Speed Sync has won me over.