580ex used as auto focus aid....

[cokinut]

I tried searching for this, but to no avail. might be the keywords i typed in.

at any rate, I read something last night about disabling the flash on the 550ex so that you could use the 550ex solely as an auto focus aid without the flash going off. Since i read so many boards, i can't find that helpful info.

My question is, can the same be done to the 580ex so that IR beam fires, but not the flash? This would help out a TON during the night photography that i do. Thanks and sorry if this is a possible repost.

:D

[tim]

It's a custom function, set "flash fires" to disable. This will work on a 10D, 20D, probably a Rebel Xt, but not a 300D.

[cokinut]

Awesome! i didn't bother to look at the custom functions on my 20D. i was looking for disable the flash on the 580ex. Thanks again. lowlight performance is a nuisance with the 20D (and most other dslrs w.o good assist beams). My sony F717 has by far one of the best night assist technology - laser assist and night framing.

[tim]

It is a bit odd the camera not having a focus assist beam, I saw an EOS 5 the other day (film camera), it had a good bright one. You should see the 20D focus when the 50mm F1.4 lens is on, it's quite amazing how fast and accurate it is even without the assist beam!

[cokinut]

i'll get a 50 1.4 one of these days.I have a ton more reading to do about canon's auto focusing system and about how it focuses on vertical and horizontal lines. But yeah, my 50 1.8 mkII, although inexpensive, focuses a lot better in lowlight than any of my other lenses. every try the 50 1.0?

[tim]

Nah never tried a F1.0 lens. This information (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/241524) could be helpful :)

[muscleflex]

It is a bit odd the camera not having a focus assist beam, I saw an EOS 5 the other day (film camera), it had a good bright one. You should see the 20D focus when the 50mm F1.4 lens is on, it's quite amazing how fast and accurate it is even without the assist beam!
oh man! don't say that! i had a chance to buy an almost new 50 1.4 yesterday very cheaply but i opted for a tamron 28-300 instead! darn it! i knew i should have gone for the 50 as i do a lot of night work also!!! grrrr!!!!!

I, too, have a sony F828 and the focusing on that is just awesome!!! i can frame just by looking at the laser assist beams! perfect for candids!

[PacAce]

It is a bit odd the camera not having a focus assist beam, I saw an EOS 5 the other day (film camera), it had a good bright one. You should see the 20D focus when the 50mm F1.4 lens is on, it's quite amazing how fast and accurate it is even without the assist beam!
But the camera (i.e. camera with internal flash) does have a focus assist light. It's the flash itself so you have to prop it up before the assist light will come on for you.

[tim]

oh man! don't say that! i had a chance to buy an almost new 50 1.4 yesterday very cheaply but i opted for a tamron 28-300 instead! darn it! i knew i should have gone for the 50 as i do a lot of night work also!!! grrrr!!!!!

I, too, have a sony F828 and the focusing on that is just awesome!!! i can frame just by looking at the laser assist beams! perfect for candids!

You bought a 28-300 over a 50mm F1.4? You're new here eh? ;)

But the camera (i.e. camera with internal flash) does have a focus assist light. It's the flash itself so you have to prop it up before the assist light will come on for you.

Yeah, but it's distracting and annoying.

[cokinut]

:) too bad that 50mm 1.0 is around $2500. eeek!! And the auto assist lamp via the onboard flash is highly distracting and i find that my subjects are blind after it. But it sure is a good way to disorient a thief if need be

[muscleflex]

[QUOTE=tim]You bought a 28-300 over a 50mm F1.4? You're new here eh? ;)

QUOTE]

oh man oh man!!! i hate you! lol. i'm starting to really hate the decision i just made!!! crap! i thought the tamron Di lens was a good lens..and since i plan on going to an air show in 2 months' time..i figured that would be useful! plus the guy sellin the 50 replied too late and i'd already commited myself to the tamron by then! :-(

oh man! and i really wanted that 50 also! guess i'll have to save up some more!

[muscleflex]

yes - it IS annoying - i always have to tell people that it takes 2 flashes before the shot is taken...usually, they see the first flash and they think i've taken the shot already! so i'm planning on gettin a flash just for the autofocus assist!!!

[cokinut]

amen. i just disabled the flash firing, and the autofocus still works AWESOME! It focuses in 100% darkness with or without the flash firing.

Does anyone know the effective range of the IR beam?

[EricKonieczny]

I am a owner of the Sony 717 and the 20D, and I will also say that the Auto Focus Hologram on the 717 is great. I wish it was incorporated into Canon cameras. I also like the 717 folder structure an ability to create folders.



I am going to have to try this also with the CFN.

We learn something new every day.

[yenoram]

On page 47 of the 580EX manual:

Center: 0.6 - 10m or 2 -32.8ft.
Periphery: 0.6 - 5m or 2 16.4ft.

[tim]

oh man oh man!!! i hate you! lol. i'm starting to really hate the decision i just made!!! crap! i thought the tamron Di lens was a good lens..and since i plan on going to an air show in 2 months' time..i figured that would be useful! plus the guy sellin the 50 replied too late and i'd already commited myself to the tamron by then! :-(

oh man! and i really wanted that 50 also! guess i'll have to save up some more!

:p

No matter, if that lens is better for you then great, everyone has different needs :)

[cokinut]

thanks for the replies. I just reread the manual and got most of my questions answered. haha. I'm no noob to digital cameras, but I was so gitty about my new 580ex that i forgot to read the entire book (manual).

2 more questions:

1) how do i use the modeling light (strobo something)? I can't figure how to get it to fire (in bursts)

2) The folder structure of the Canon 20D. I don't know if it's just me, but it creates a bunch of random folders. Is there a way to just have one main folder instead of it creating one in random increments? thanx for helping out the noob.

[robertwgross]

1) how do i use the modeling light

Push the camera's depth of field preview button.

---Bob Gross---

[robertwgross]

2) The folder structure of the Canon 20D. I don't know if it's just me, but it creates a bunch of random folders. Is there a way to just have one main folder instead of it creating one in random increments?

There is no randomness to it.

On the CF card, exactly 100 images are held within the first folder, and then 100 in the second one, etc.

---Bob Gross---

[lancea]

It focuses in 100% darkness with or without the flash firing.
Those focus-assist LEDs are bright though! When I got my flash (just last week) I triggered the focus beam while holding the camera on my lap :shock: . Dang things gave me red-eye ;)

[cokinut]

Thanks bob for all the help :)

[RafaPolit]

Talking about the sony's ability to focus in low light: I dont remember where I read this (probably on the cnet reviews) it said about the F828:

This camera comes better equiped to fight the forces of darknes than a vampire's slayer! :D

I allways have though of it as a very clever and funny way of saying it!

Rafael Pólit (jr.)
Quito, Ecuador.

[cokinut]

they weren't kidding when they said it. The Laser assist focusing and Nightframing (uses nightmode to focus, then switches back to normal lighting) were something else. Focus was almost 100% accurate and easy. I love my sony and glad i didn't sell it. Too bad it doesn't get a lot of use since i bouught my 20D.