What is ETTL?

[TomMessenger:Photo]

I keep looking for answers on what ETTL actually is, but people always just use it as the abbreviation. What does it stand for and what does it do?

Sorry if I've missed it, but I have looked!

Tom

[Jim G]

Exposure through the lens!

It's where the camera makes the flash fire a preflash immediately before opening the shutter and alters the power output based on what it sees to get what it thinks is a correct exposure. It's frequently innaccurate in certain situations but it can be pretty easy to predict and work around.

[Maureen Souza]

Expose to the left.

E-TTL means Expose To The Left, and is canon's patented flash system designed to produce left-shifted histograms, giving underexposed flash shots.

[craiglee]

evaluative through the lens

the flash sends out X amount of light called the preflash. based on this small preflash the flash says "ok X amount of light exposes the pictures too dark/light, i now have to increase/decrease the real flash". the preflash happens before the shutter can expose. if you set a slow shutter speed and have ettl enabled you should be able to see the preflash.

ettl is basically an automatic flash to be used in most situations. it doesn't matter if you use light modifiers, bounce, whatever. the flash still will calculate the ideal flash power.

[TomMessenger:Photo]

Thanks!

[OneEyedJack]

3 different posts, 3 different answers...so which is correct?

[Jim G]

evaluative through the lens

the flash sends out X amount of light called the preflash. based on this small preflash the flash says "ok X amount of light exposes the pictures too dark/light, i now have to increase/decrease the real flash". the preflash happens before the shutter can expose. if you set a slow shutter speed and have ettl enabled you should be able to see the preflash.

ettl is basically an automatic flash to be used in most situations. it doesn't matter if you use light modifiers, bounce, whatever. the flash still will calculate the ideal flash power.

Hmm, you're quite right, I was wrong with exposure... a simple google of "ETTL" gives your answer on the first hit. So much for the ole memory. :)

[TomMessenger:Photo]

Well they almost all basically say the same thing... kind of...

[Jim G]

3 different posts, 3 different answers...so which is correct?

Craiglee ;)

[StanNJ1]

Expose to the left.

E-TTL means Expose To The Left, and is canon's patented flash system designed to produce left-shifted histograms, giving underexposed flash shots.

I'm not sure that taking an unfair swipe at Canon (in a forum dedicated to Canon no less) was the best way to help the original poster with his question. I would have expected more from a site moderator.

[glockamole]

Expose to the left.

E-TTL means Expose To The Left, and is canon's patented flash system designed to produce left-shifted histograms, giving underexposed flash shots.

I laughed out loud. This is too funny.

[shutterfiend]

Expose to the left.

E-TTL means Expose To The Left, and is canon's patented flash system designed to produce left-shifted histograms, giving underexposed flash shots.

You're way ahead of me. I'm still at "Extremely tricky and temperamental light-metering".

[SYS]

3 different posts, 3 different answers...so which is correct?

Evaluative Through The Lens.

[vadim_c]

I'm not sure that taking an unfair swipe at Canon (in a forum dedicated to Canon no less) was the best way to help the original poster with his question. I would have expected more from a site moderator.
I would say that having a little sense of humor sometimes help.
I actually find the "Exposure To The Left" a best post in this thread :-)

[StanNJ1]

I agree. Having a sense of humor is important. It was the jab at Canon and the lack of any attempt to help the original poster that I didn't agree with.

[handyhaver]

Give me a break...................

I'm not sure that taking an unfair swipe at Canon (in a forum dedicated to Canon no less) was the best way to help the original poster with his question. I would have expected more from a site moderator.

[FlyingPhotog]

Expose to the left.

E-TTL means Expose To The Left, and is canon's patented flash system designed to produce left-shifted histograms, giving underexposed flash shots.

:lol::lol::lol:

Now that's funny right there... I don't care who you are!

[Razor524]

In the immortal words of the movie Stripes, "lighten up Frances".

[StanNJ1]

God forbid someone should share their true feelings. I should have known better.

[DallasPhoto]

I'm not sure that taking an unfair swipe at Canon (in a forum dedicated to Canon no less) was the best way to help the original poster with his question. I would have expected more from a site moderator.

Must be a canon employee... hahaha, JK Stan it's all in good fun

That was pretty funny Maureen lol :lol:

But in all seriousness, here is a pretty good link that explains ETTL http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/ettl2.html