HotSpots: D30 / dual 550EX's w/ umbrellas...

[fcbrants]

All,

I am vexxed and perplexed... I'm working on a catalog shoot & one of the items is an off white placemat that is giving me fits.

I've posted the offending image here:

http://pics.brants.com/phpix/?mode=view&album=D-30_Studio_Details&pic=SET-LIBEBE-CU.jpg

I have two 550EX's powered by AA's (internal) & Canon dry cell transistor packs (external) shooting into standard silver lined photo umbrellas. I have varied the "umbrella to subject" distance from 2" to 6", changed the angle & orientation of the flash heads (horizontal & veritcal), shot with a 3rd 550EX on camera, flash firing enabled & disabled, altered the ratio, done FEB, tried just about everything I can varying exposure/flash settings / flash position and I still get an image with a hot streak running down the middle.

I'm using AWB on an off-white subject on a black background (although this image is zoomed in (Canon 28-135IS lens) so the backgound is not visible). Should I try CWB? Would a white balance problem cause variation across an image, or would the entire image be affected?

Although I've changed it quite a bit, more images of my photo studio (don't laugh at the pictures, they weren't shot with any aesthetics in mind :) and the virgin (before adjusting levels in PhotoShop) images live here:

http://pics.brants.com/phpix/?mode=album&album=D-30_Studio_Details

BTW, I haven't updated the firmware yet, that's next...

Here are the details for the images...

TIA,

franko@onramp.net

File Name
IMG_4597.JPG
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS D30
Shooting Date/Time
9/14/01 7:48:59 PM
Shooting Mode
Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/60
Av( Aperture Value )
8.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
100
Lens
28.0 - 135.0 mm
Focal Length
33.0 mm
Image Size
2160x1440
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
On
Flash Type
External E-TTL
Flash Exposure Compensation
+2/3
Red-eye Reduction
Off
Shutter curtain sync
1st-curtain sync
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Manual Focus
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
File Size
924KB
Serial Number
145-4597
Custom Function Settings
01:Long exposure noise reduction
1:On
02:Shutter button/AE lock button
0:AF/AE lock
03:Mirror lockup
0:Disable
04:TV,AV and exposure level
1:1/3-stop
05:AF-assist light
0:On(Auto)
06:Shutter speed in Av mode
0:Auto
07:AEB sequence/auto cancellation
2: - => 0 => +/Enabled
08:Shutter curtain sync
0:1st-cutain sync
09:Lens AF stop button Fn, switch
0:AF stop
10:Auto reduction of fill flash
1:Disable
11:Menu button return position
0:top
12:SET button func, when shooting
2:Change ISO speed
13:Sensor cleaning
0:Disable
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting
Macro
Off
Owner's Name
Frank C. Brants 214-769-0354
Camera Body No.
112400295



File Name
IMG_4598.JPG
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS D30
Shooting Date/Time
9/14/01 7:52:51 PM
Shooting Mode
Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/60
Av( Aperture Value )
8.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
100
Lens
28.0 - 135.0 mm
Focal Length
135.0 mm
Image Size
2160x1440
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
On
Flash Type
External E-TTL
Flash Exposure Compensation
+2/3
Red-eye Reduction
Off
Shutter curtain sync
1st-curtain sync
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Manual Focus
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness Normal
Color saturation Normal
File Size
1163KB
Serial Number
145-4598
Custom Function Settings
01:Long exposure noise reduction
1:On
02:Shutter button/AE lock button
0:AF/AE lock
03:Mirror lockup
0:Disable
04:TV,AV and exposure level
1:1/3-stop
05:AF-assist light
0:On(Auto)
06:Shutter speed in Av mode
0:Auto
07:AEB sequence/auto cancellation
2: - => 0 => +/Enabled
08:Shutter curtain sync
0:1st-cutain sync
09:Lens AF stop button Fn, switch
0:AF stop
10:Auto reduction of fill flash
1:Disable
11:Menu button return position
0:top
12:SET button func, when shooting
2:Change ISO speed
13:Sensor cleaning
0:Disable
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting
Macro
Off
Owner's Name
Frank C. Brants 214-769-0354
Camera Body No.
112400295

[Lord_Malone]

I suspect that you never got the answer you were looking for because the free world was still in shock and reeling from the aftermath of 9/11. However, you should be able to get the answer to your question in the lighting forum.

[baboymo]

Talking about a thread resurrection!