Speedlight 580ex II - CONFUSED!

[JustinTEleven]

Hi everyone,

I'm obviously new to the DSLR world but I am trying to learn as much as I can ... Anyway, I bought a speedlight 580ex ii when I bought my camera. I have stopped using the green box mode on my 50D and now in Av, Tv, etc my flash is obviously not working the same way it was in the box mode :-/ I do not understand what any of the readouts on the 580ex ii's screen mean (i haven't read the book yet :-x ) Does anyone have any suggestions on learing how to use this think or make any suggestions??? I plan on reading the book lol.

Thanks!
Justin

[40Dude6aedyk]

What book are you writing about?

[maresp5]

I think the OP is referring to the manual. Even though the manual can be excruciatingly boring to read, it contains all the information you'll ever need regarding the operation of the flash. You might try doing a search on youtube on the 580EX II if your looking for a video tutorial, but in my opinion, your manual is your best bet.

[JustinTEleven]

I think the OP is referring to the manual. Even though the manual can be excruciatingly boring to read, it contains all the information you'll ever need regarding the operation of the flash. You might try doing a search on youtube on the 580EX II if your looking for a video tutorial, but in my opinion, your manual is your best bet.

Yes you are correct its the manual that I was referring to... It would be hilarious if I was attempting to "write" a book on this thing ;-) I guess I'm going to have to open this manual to learn how to operate this flash :-/

[40Dude6aedyk]

Tell me again why you need to learn how to operate this flash.

[JustinTEleven]

Tell me again why you need to learn how to operate this flash.

because I do not know how to

[m1ket4n]

I think what 40Dude means is that you need to be more specific, what particular problem are you facing? If you have a 'general' problem, then all you're going to get is a general response to go RTFM.

[Bippa1]

Use ETTL

Bounce when ever you can (onto white or neutral surfaces)

Use Flash exposure compensation (on camera) to lighten / darken flash

Check histogram for over exposure

[JustinTEleven]

Use ETTL

Bounce when ever you can (onto white or neutral surfaces)

Use Flash exposure compensation (on camera) to lighten / darken flash

Check histogram for over exposure

Thanks for the tips!

[runninmann]

The reason the flash is not working the same way in AV and TV as in the "box mode" is because the camera is ow trying to set the exposure as though no flash is present and use the flash fo fill.

Try with the camera in manual, with a 1/200 shutter speed and suitable aperture with the flash in Ettl mode.

[Tiberius47]

The easiest way to get flash exposure compensation (FEC) on the 580 II is to press the button in the middle of the dial on the back of the flash, then rotate the dial. Turn it left to decrease flash exposure, and turn it right to increase it.

[Bippa1]

The easiest way to get flash exposure compensation (FEC) on the 580 II is to press the button in the middle of the dial on the back of the flash, then rotate the dial. Turn it left to decrease flash exposure, and turn it right to increase it.

I find a better way to do flash exposure compensation, is on the camera. Exposure mode / FEC button and the thumb wheel.

[Paul Li]

Justin - read the manual. Seriously, I spent much of Spring Break reading my camera's manual after getting my first dSLR because I was that excited/confused.

[Titus213]

I would suggest you learn how to shoot your camera in manual mode with the flash in ETTL. For outdoor shooting using the camera meter under expose the background a bit and let the flash light your subject. Indoors set the camera on manual, shutter at 1/125 to start, f-stop at 5.6 ISO at 200 and let the equipment do its thing. That should get you started.

Reading the manual is a must. So is lots of practice.

[JustinTEleven]

I didn't realize this but have learned that whenever you are in aper priority mode the camera reads the available light with out the flash (duh brain fart on my part) then adjusts the other settings (ie. Shutter, ISO, Etc) accordingly. This is why I was getting 5-6 second exposures in Av mode in dim rooms with the flash. I will be shooting in only manual mode from now on and thanks to everyone for you input

[shimmishim]

I made the same mistake when I started off. :)

[rklepper]

Read through the manual and familiarize yourself with all the functions. Then go out and shoot. Come back and re-read those sections that were not as clear. There is actually a lot of important information in the manual that is pertinent to the operation of the flash.

[kempobmx1]

FYI, when not using your flash you're going to want to select Av or Tv if you want the camera to expose for you. Manual if only for when using the flash or if you want to control everything yourself.