20D + 420EX Questions

[skeezix]

Hi all, I bought my wife a 20D along with a 420EX about a year ago. We've used the 420EX very little and I have a few questions.

Tomorrow, we'll be going to my niece's wedding and although she's hired a pro, I want to take some of our own shots. I've been experimenting with the flash and I'm getting confused.

What mode should I use to keep the shutter speeds up enough to hand-hold. Should I stick with Av and set the camera to a fixed 1/250 shutter (Cust. Func. 3)? Or should I just put it in Program AE mode?

I know my options are limited without a tripod, but I hate to shoot in auto mode and I know there's got to be a better way.

BTW, it's an outside wedding, but they're calling for severe storms (Fun!) so we'll be under the tent.

Also, the lens I'll be using is a Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5.

Thanks!

[vadim_c]

Hi all, I bought my wife a 20D along with a 420EX about a year ago. We've used the 420EX very little and I have a few questions.

Tomorrow, we'll be going to my niece's wedding and although she's hired a pro, I want to take some of our own shots. I've been experimenting with the flash and I'm getting confused.

What mode should I use to keep the shutter speeds up enough to hand-hold. Should I stick with Av and set the camera to a fixed 1/250 shutter (Cust. Func. 3)? Or should I just put it in Program AE mode?

I know my options are limited without a tripod, but I hate to shoot in auto mode and I know there's got to be a better way.

BTW, it's an outside wedding, but they're calling for severe storms (Fun!) so we'll be under the tent.

Also, the lens I'll be using is a Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4.5.

Thanks!
First of all try not to interfere with the paid photographer. If he is setting up a shot and the subjects look at your camera that shot is ruined - the guy is pissed off, the following work is affected, results - bad pictures from the wedding of your niece.
If you are going to use your flash after dark, set it to the manual more, shutter speed to 1/250 and the aperture that is appropriate to your desired depth of field. Don't bother about motion blur, with the flash as a main source of light it is not an issue.