How to Fill in flash?

[I Simonius]

Can someone explain the best way to use fill in flash on the 20D in the creative zone??

e.g. suppose I have an exposure of 60 @ 5.6 How do I fill with flash without actually just using flash
thereagain how do I set flash to come on in creative zone?
-This is for DAYTIME low light/bad weather I'm thinking of
- just with the built in flash as I haven't got a separate flash yet.

I know I need to re read the manual but I can only take so much in at a time, Ive read it once and it's a muddled into one mish mash of overload info

What mode to use, shutter speed etc?

I'm confused, e.g.I thought the shutter was 250 for flash but in the viewfinder it says 60 :(

thanks

[tim]

1) Pop up the flash. You'll get better results when you get an external flash.
2) (optional) Dial in some neagtive FEC.
3) Take the photo.

1/250th is the flash sync speed, but I'm not sure what that means.

[RichardtheSane]

which creative mode are you in

You can set it to TV to 1/250th if you want a faster shutter speed

[MDJAK]

1/250 is the maximum shutter speed for use of the flash.

Slower speeds will illuminate the background and the subject.

[scottbergerphoto]

From the EOS Flash Sticky:
The most consistent way to use fill flash is to take the camera out of the equation as far as determining how to adjust the relationship between ambient and flash. I suggest you:
1. Disable the Automatic reduction of fill flash in Custom functions.*
*If your camera doesn't have this Custom Function, put the camera in Manual Mode, and leave the flash in ETTL/II.
2. Set the camera to Manual mode and set your ambient exposure using the camera meter.
3. Set FEC on the camera body(not available on the body of the 420EX) to from minus 1 to minus 1 and 2/3.
4. Adjust the FEC up and down to see what you like.
The historical expert on this technique is the late Galen Rowell. You can learn alot about flash techniques from "The Nikon Flash Guide" by Thom Hogan.
Regards,
Scott

[johneric8]

just set your aperture how you want in av mode and let the camera do the work. If you think it's tricky use the FEC button to shoot a test flast at the subject right before shooting the pic..