How do I get fill flash w D-rebel and 420ex?

[Big John]

Hi everyone, I am hoping you can help me. I am trying to find the best way to get a natural looking fill flash when taking outdoor portraits. I will be shooting in the early evening, using a combination of open shade and some reflectors (white foam-core boards). I would also like to take some portraits in the warm evening light with strong background light from the surrounding area.

Here is what I have been doing so far with mixed results:

I would normally switch my focus points to just the central point as active. I focus on the models face and press the "*" button to lock the exposure and then fire away! I am trying to understand how to lock the exposure on the background and have consistant results on the model. I also hear that using "AV mode" can help, but I have not tried it yet.

Any suggestions?

[scottbergerphoto]

For consistent fill flash effect:
1. Put the camera on Manual Mode and meter the ambient light where you want.
2. Put the flash in ETTL/II
3. Dial in FEC of -1 to -1 and 2/3.

You didn't say which camera you are using. If it is using ETTLII( 20D or later), the focus points are irrelevant for flash metering.

[Jackal]

When you say "meter the ambient light".....Where do you point your camera for this? Any place around the "model?"

[Big John]

I am using the digital rebel and 420 ex, neither of which allow me to manually adjust flash exposure compensation.

This is my biggest dilemma, because I have to rely on the camera making up its own mind as to what is the proper exposure.

[Darter]

You need the Undutchables firmware hack. It has the FEC you desire. :) I'm using it and loving it.

[robertwgross]

When you say "meter the ambient light".....Where do you point your camera for this? Any place around the "model?"

Let the camera meter the natural light coming toward it, not including the flash light.

---Bob Gross---

[elr]

You need the Undutchables firmware hack. It has the FEC you desire. :) I'm using it and loving it.

Hi, where can i get the "Undutchables firmware hack"?

[scottbergerphoto]

For ambient light metering, where you meter depends on whether or not the lighting is even or variable and which part of the subject is most important to you. If the lighting is even/diffuse, you can pretty much point anywhere at the subject and take a reading. Use partial metering and adjust for extremes from 18% grey. For white, add 1-2 stops, for black, reduce by 1-2 stops. If the lighting is uneven, choose the part of the subject you want perfect and meter there using the same corrections I mentioned.

[CyberPet]

I'm still learning to master my little 420EX with the 350D/XT. It handles well outdoors without any special settings (and it doesn't look like you've used a flash), but once you start to get some evening lights, that's when it gets tricky. So if your DR doesn't have the "Russian hack" (I think it's called), you should try to get hold of it and use the FEC settings, since the flash itself is all "auto".

I think they say the rule is 1:3 or something, i.e. ambient light 2 parts of the background exposure (ambient light) and 1 part flash. So it's about –1 to -1 & 2/3 of a step, or something like that.

[scottbergerphoto]

So it's about –1 to -1 & 2/3 of a step, or something like that.
Hmmmmm. Where have I seen that before? ;)

[Big John]

Thanks everyone! It looks like I will find the hack and give it a try!

[CyberPet]

Scott, I noticed after I posted... hahaha... oh well, I read that cheatsheet last night. It's great! :D

[elr]

Hi, where can i get the "Undutchables firmware hack"?

Found it!!!

:)

[Tom Camilleri]

Found it!!!

:)


Where? HAve you instaled it yet? Any problems? I'm a little leery of installling hacked firmware. Is it easy to wipe the firmware and reinstall the old firmware in the event of problems?