FAQ - EOS Flash - ** READ THIS FIRST **

scottbergerphoto · 28th of October 2004 (Thu)

I have replaced the non functioning links. Let me know if there are problems.
Scott
Here are some useful and informative articles and threads on using Canon EOS Flash:
How does ETTLII work?

The EOS Flash Bible

How far can my flash go and what factors will influence it? (Now Working 1/5/05)

How can I use flash when my shutter speed is faster then the camera's maximum sync speed? (High Speed Sync-FP) Look Here as well.

Flash Techniques - (The author uses a Lumedyne head and pack, but you can substitute an off camera 550EX/580EX or any other Manual Flash for that matter-Quantum, Vivatar, Sigma. Just use a Wein Safe Sync for non dedicated flashes).

Using Multiple EX Flashes Wirelessly - One Perspective and Another

How do I set up my ETTL/II flash for Fill Flash?

Which rechargeable batteries for my flash? - Doesn't include high voltage packs like the Quantum Turbo/Turbo Z series. Those are Here

Where can I get custom flash (PC, hot shoe, Pocket Wizard) cords?

Electronic Flash Information

Troubleshooting an Electronic Flash - Not for the faint of heart!

Initial User Experiences with the the 580EX:
Here

Suggested Books:
Mastering Flash Photography by Susan McCartney

The Nikon Flash Guide by Thom Hogan

The Secrets of Lighting On Location by Bob Krist

The Lighting Cook Book by Amphoto

More to come. If you have a link to a good source of EOS flash information, please post it.
Scott

slin100 · 29th of October 2004 (Fri)

Several of the links are broken.

This question arises quite often.
List of current EF lenses that report distance info

scottbergerphoto · 30th of October 2004 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by slin100

Several of the links are broken.

This question arises quite often.
List of current EF lenses that report distance info

Some of the links are in the FAQ. If you don't have access to the FAQ, see below.
Scott

scottbergerphoto · 30th of October 2004 (Sat)

"Red Eye" occurs when light from a flash, usually camera mounted, is reflected off the back of the subjects eyes and back to the camera. The red is the color of the blood filled vessels at the back of the eye or Retina. The smaller the angle between the flash and the subject, the more likely you will get "red eye". The best way to deal with this phenomenon is to prevent it. You do that by getting the flash off the camera on a bracket or in your hand and connected to the camera with a Canon "Off the Shoe Cord 2". That way you still have ETTL. You place the flash about 12 inches above the lens and pointed at the subject. It will also give some more depth to the picture. You might also try increasing the ambient light in the room if possible to reduce the size of the subject's pupils. Some cameras have a "red eye" reduction feature. The camera fires a flash before the flash (not to be confused with the pre-flash of the ETTL) to cause the subject's pupils to contract. The problem with this is that it makes your subjects look like their squinting and does nothing for that "headlights in the eyes" look.
In a pinch, most photo editing software has some method of removing "red eye" after the fact.
Scott

scottbergerphoto · 30th of October 2004 (Sat)

Here is Chuck Westfall's post:
"E-TTL II is never linked to the active focusing point. In fact, that is one of the main differences between E-TTL II and the original version of E-TTL. There's a brief description of E-TTL II with sample images on Canon Inc.'s EOS-1D Mark II web site here.

Here's what we published in the EOS-1D Mark II White Paper document:

ADVANCED E-TTL II
New algorithm gives greater flash exposure control

For improved flash control using Canon EX series Speedlites, a new algorithm has been developed which enables superior E-TTL flash accuracy and reliability. In previous cameras, evaluative flash metering was based on the assumption that an autofocus point would cover the subject. When this is not the case, inaccurate flash exposures result. The EOS-1D Mark IIâ€™s evaluative flash metering is not dependent on the active AF point.

In the new algorithm, ambient light is measured when the shutter button is pressed. Next, a pre-flash is fired and the metering sensor takes readings at the central 17 metering zones. The ambient and pre-flash readings are compared. The metering areas having a small difference are selected as the flash exposure metering areas. (Areas with very big differences between ambient and pre-flash readings are excluded or down weighted because they are assumed to contain a highly reflective object or that the subject is not in that part of the frame. The algorithm avoids chronic underexposure problems in such situations.) These readings are weighted, averaged and compared with the ambient light reading, and the main flash output is then set and stored in memory. E-TTL II weights and averages the flash metering for the subject and all other objects at the same distance as the subject. Even if the subjectâ€™s position, reflectance or size changes, the flash output will not change radically. The flash exposure will be highly accurate and stable.

Most EF lenses provide distance information, and this data is also considered in determining if there is a highly reflective object, once again lessening the chance of underexposure.
************************************************** ***

Additional info on E-TTL II:

In essence, distance information is not required for E-TTL II. But when it is available and the flash is direct, then it can be used as a reference to modify the flash exposure if necessary.

Additionally, the EOS-1D Mark II is provided with a new Custom Function (C.Fn 14-1) that allows photographers to select between evaluative and averaged flash metering in E-TTL II. Averaged flash metering may be preferable when using direct flash with lenses that don't have a built-in distance encoder, but we encourage Mark II owners to try both settings on C.Fn 14 to see which metering method they prefer.

E-TTL II is functional with all EF lenses, not just the ones with distance data. If you use a lens without distance data, the only thing you lose is the Mark II's ability to modify the flash exposure based on distance data. Everything else works the same. The Mark II *never* falls back to E-TTL.

There's never any "full-frame" flash metering in E-TTL or E-TTL II. In both cases, with EOS cameras that use a 45-point focusing system/21-zone metering sensor, all flash metering is carried out by the 17 metering segments within the Area AF ellipse shown in the viewfinder. Subject matter outside the ellipse is completely ignored in terms of flash exposure control.

C.Fn 14-0 on a Mark II allows E-TTL II flash metering to be subject-based, so it can use anywhere from 1 to 17 metering segments depending on the camera's analysis of the pre-flash information. This is not a spot meter reading, unless the camera determines that the subject is so small that it occupies only one of the 17 metering segments. Most subjects will cover a larger area than that. The big improvement here over the original E-TTL algorithm is that the size and location of the primary flash metering area can change dynamically according to the size and location of the subject. In the original E-TTL algorithm, the size, location and weighting of the primary flash metering area was linked to the active focusing point.

C.Fn 14-1 on a Mark II applies the E-TTL II flash metering algorithm equally to all 17 metering segments within the Area AF ellipse, so in comparison to 14-0, 14-1 is not subject-based.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, the setting of the focus mode switch on the lens has no bearing on E-TTL II flash metering, so C.Fn 14-0 and 14-1 are effective whether the lens is set for AF or manual focus.

***

There are two differences between original E-TTL and E-TTL II in this particular comparison:

1. E-TTL II will factor in distance information when it is available during direct flash operation, regardless of the C.Fn 14 or C.Fn 4 setting. Standard E-TTL does not use distance info.

2. When C.Fn 14-1 is active on the Mark II, E-TTL II flashmetering is averaged for all 17 metering segments regardless of the C.Fn 4 setting or the focus mode set on the lens. This gives the photographer more flexibility in setting up the camera according to their personal preferences. Original E-TTL can't average its flashmetering unless specific camera settings are used."

--------------------
Chuck Westfall
Director/Technical Marketing Dept.
Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The original thread is here: http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthrea...art=1&vc=1

There is also some info here: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettlii
Regards,
Scott

scottbergerphoto · 30th of October 2004 (Sat)

Canon digital cameras are designed to work with flashes using their proprietary E-TTL/II system. If you are going to use a hot shoe flash, it must support E-TTL/II or function in manual operation. All Canon "EX" series flashes will function in E-TTL/II. Canon "EZ" series flashes will not. There are third party flashes such as Sigma and Quantum that make flashes compatible with ETTL/II. You have to check each model.
You can also use a non-Canon flash via the PC socket in manual flash mode. When using any non-Canon flash unit, you must be certain that its "flash trigger voltage" doesn't exceed 6 volts unless the camera Manual indicates that body has a higher limit. This usually applies to the PC socket as well as the hot shoe. Check your Manual. High voltages will fry your shutter.
For a comprehensive discussion of Canon EOS flash, please refer to:
http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
Scott

C.S.I. · 1st of November 2004 (Mon)

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbergerphoto

"Red Eye" occurs when light from a flash, usually camera mounted, is reflected off the back of the subjects eyes and back to the camera. The red is the color of the blood filled vessels at the back of the eye or Retina. The smaller the angle between the flash and the subject, the more likely you will get "red eye". The best way to deal with this phenomenon is to prevent it. You do that by getting the flash off the camera on a bracket or in your hand and connected to the camera with a Canon "Off the Shoe Cord 2". That way you still have ETTL. You place the flash about 12 inches above the lens and pointed at the subject. It will also give some more depth to the picture. You might also try increasing the ambient light in the room if possible to reduce the size of the subject's pupils. Some cameras have a "red eye" reduction feature. The camera fires a flash before the flash (not to be confused with the pre-flash of the ETTL) to cause the subject's pupils to contract. The problem with this is that it makes your subjects look like their squinting and does nothing for that "headlights in the eyes" look.
In a pinch, most photo editing software has some method of removing "red eye" after the fact.
Scott

Sorry.......

I know this is an extremely old thread BUT.......Anyone know if you can use the Canon off shoe cord 2 with the Sigma 500 DG Super? Im guessing yes since the 2 are compatible on the camera.......Also....Scott states that the cable is E-TTL, however B+H 's page states that the cord is TTL. Anyone know of any cheaper cords while Im thinking of it?

Thanks again......

Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains. - Winston Churchill

_______________________
300D
Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX
Sigma 105 2.8 macro EX

scottbergerphoto · 1st of November 2004 (Mon)

The Off The Shoe Cord II is the only cord that will work for ETTL and ETTLII. It's like moving your hot shoe off the camera. It should work with any ETTL compatible flash.
Scott

Jesper · 2nd of November 2004 (Tue)

Two links:

Portable Studio Flash Using Canon Speedlites

One Flash, Two Flashes, Three Flashes

scottbergerphoto · 2nd of November 2004 (Tue)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesper

Two links:

Portable Studio Flash Using Canon Speedlites

One Flash, Two Flashes, Three Flashes

Great Links! Thanks.
Scott

scottbergerphoto · 27th of December 2004 (Mon)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...ad.php?t=51728
Scott

Jesper · 1st of February 2005 (Tue)

How to repair a broken 550 EX flash tube yourself

scottbergerphoto · 23rd of February 2005 (Wed)

Not too deep, but a brief explanation of E-TTL II from Canon Europe:

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/art...100262&pageId=1
Thanks Tom.
Scott

Mark_48 · 23rd of February 2005 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbergerphoto

Not too deep, but a brief explanation of E-TTL II from Canon Europe:

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/art...100262&pageId=1
Thanks Tom.
Scott

Scott,

The link you provided doesn't seem to work (at least for me). I think I did find the site and the article which is titled "Fearless Flash" to which the link was intended. One of the better explanations I've come across for E-TTL II.

Mark........

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/arti...ticleId=100262

Tom W · 23rd of February 2005 (Wed)

Mark is correct, Scott. Apparently, the added "&page" stuff at the end of the link makes it go 404.
Try this:

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/arti...ticleId=100262

PS - I'll fix my link in the earlier post.

28th of October 2004 (Thu)	#1
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	FAQ - EOS Flash - READ THIS FIRST I have replaced the non functioning links. Let me know if there are problems. Scott Here are some useful and informative articles and threads on using Canon EOS Flash: How does ETTLII work? The EOS Flash Bible How far can my flash go and what factors will influence it? (Now Working 1/5/05) How can I use flash when my shutter speed is faster then the camera's maximum sync speed? (High Speed Sync-FP) Look Here as well. Flash Techniques - (The author uses a Lumedyne head and pack, but you can substitute an off camera 550EX/580EX or any other Manual Flash for that matter-Quantum, Vivatar, Sigma. Just use a Wein Safe Sync for non dedicated flashes). Using Multiple EX Flashes Wirelessly - One Perspective and Another How do I set up my ETTL/II flash for Fill Flash? Which rechargeable batteries for my flash? - Doesn't include high voltage packs like the Quantum Turbo/Turbo Z series. Those are Here Where can I get custom flash (PC, hot shoe, Pocket Wizard) cords? Electronic Flash Information Troubleshooting an Electronic Flash - Not for the faint of heart! Initial User Experiences with the the 580EX: Here Suggested Books: Mastering Flash Photography by Susan McCartney The Nikon Flash Guide by Thom Hogan The Secrets of Lighting On Location by Bob Krist The Lighting Cook Book by Amphoto More to come. If you have a link to a good source of EOS flash information, please post it. Scott Last edited by PacAce : 18th of July 2006 (Tue) at 20:53.

29th of October 2004 (Fri)	#2
slin100 Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 977	Several of the links are broken. This question arises quite often. List of current EF lenses that report distance info __________________ Steven 7D, 10D, 17-40/4L, 50/1.8 Mk I, 85/1.8, Tamron 28-75/2.8, 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS, 80-200/2.8L, 550EX, Pocket Wizard

30th of October 2004 (Sat)	#4
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	How do I prevent Red Eye? "Red Eye" occurs when light from a flash, usually camera mounted, is reflected off the back of the subjects eyes and back to the camera. The red is the color of the blood filled vessels at the back of the eye or Retina. The smaller the angle between the flash and the subject, the more likely you will get "red eye". The best way to deal with this phenomenon is to prevent it. You do that by getting the flash off the camera on a bracket or in your hand and connected to the camera with a Canon "Off the Shoe Cord 2". That way you still have ETTL. You place the flash about 12 inches above the lens and pointed at the subject. It will also give some more depth to the picture. You might also try increasing the ambient light in the room if possible to reduce the size of the subject's pupils. Some cameras have a "red eye" reduction feature. The camera fires a flash before the flash (not to be confused with the pre-flash of the ETTL) to cause the subject's pupils to contract. The problem with this is that it makes your subjects look like their squinting and does nothing for that "headlights in the eyes" look. In a pinch, most photo editing software has some method of removing "red eye" after the fact. Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

30th of October 2004 (Sat)	#5
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	How does ETTL II work? Here is Chuck Westfall's post: "E-TTL II is never linked to the active focusing point. In fact, that is one of the main differences between E-TTL II and the original version of E-TTL. There's a brief description of E-TTL II with sample images on Canon Inc.'s EOS-1D Mark II web site here. Here's what we published in the EOS-1D Mark II White Paper document: ADVANCED E-TTL II New algorithm gives greater flash exposure control For improved flash control using Canon EX series Speedlites, a new algorithm has been developed which enables superior E-TTL flash accuracy and reliability. In previous cameras, evaluative flash metering was based on the assumption that an autofocus point would cover the subject. When this is not the case, inaccurate flash exposures result. The EOS-1D Mark IIâ€™s evaluative flash metering is not dependent on the active AF point. In the new algorithm, ambient light is measured when the shutter button is pressed. Next, a pre-flash is fired and the metering sensor takes readings at the central 17 metering zones. The ambient and pre-flash readings are compared. The metering areas having a small difference are selected as the flash exposure metering areas. (Areas with very big differences between ambient and pre-flash readings are excluded or down weighted because they are assumed to contain a highly reflective object or that the subject is not in that part of the frame. The algorithm avoids chronic underexposure problems in such situations.) These readings are weighted, averaged and compared with the ambient light reading, and the main flash output is then set and stored in memory. E-TTL II weights and averages the flash metering for the subject and all other objects at the same distance as the subject. Even if the subjectâ€™s position, reflectance or size changes, the flash output will not change radically. The flash exposure will be highly accurate and stable. Most EF lenses provide distance information, and this data is also considered in determining if there is a highly reflective object, once again lessening the chance of underexposure. ************************************************ * Additional info on E-TTL II: In essence, distance information is not required for E-TTL II. But when it is available and the flash is direct, then it can be used as a reference to modify the flash exposure if necessary. Additionally, the EOS-1D Mark II is provided with a new Custom Function (C.Fn 14-1) that allows photographers to select between evaluative and averaged flash metering in E-TTL II. Averaged flash metering may be preferable when using direct flash with lenses that don't have a built-in distance encoder, but we encourage Mark II owners to try both settings on C.Fn 14 to see which metering method they prefer. E-TTL II is functional with all EF lenses, not just the ones with distance data. If you use a lens without distance data, the only thing you lose is the Mark II's ability to modify the flash exposure based on distance data. Everything else works the same. The Mark II never falls back to E-TTL. There's never any "full-frame" flash metering in E-TTL or E-TTL II. In both cases, with EOS cameras that use a 45-point focusing system/21-zone metering sensor, all flash metering is carried out by the 17 metering segments within the Area AF ellipse shown in the viewfinder. Subject matter outside the ellipse is completely ignored in terms of flash exposure control. C.Fn 14-0 on a Mark II allows E-TTL II flash metering to be subject-based, so it can use anywhere from 1 to 17 metering segments depending on the camera's analysis of the pre-flash information. This is not a spot meter reading, unless the camera determines that the subject is so small that it occupies only one of the 17 metering segments. Most subjects will cover a larger area than that. The big improvement here over the original E-TTL algorithm is that the size and location of the primary flash metering area can change dynamically according to the size and location of the subject. In the original E-TTL algorithm, the size, location and weighting of the primary flash metering area was linked to the active focusing point. C.Fn 14-1 on a Mark II applies the E-TTL II flash metering algorithm equally to all 17 metering segments within the Area AF ellipse, so in comparison to 14-0, 14-1 is not subject-based. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the setting of the focus mode switch on the lens has no bearing on E-TTL II flash metering, so C.Fn 14-0 and 14-1 are effective whether the lens is set for AF or manual focus. *** There are two differences between original E-TTL and E-TTL II in this particular comparison: 1. E-TTL II will factor in distance information when it is available during direct flash operation, regardless of the C.Fn 14 or C.Fn 4 setting. Standard E-TTL does not use distance info. 2. When C.Fn 14-1 is active on the Mark II, E-TTL II flashmetering is averaged for all 17 metering segments regardless of the C.Fn 4 setting or the focus mode set on the lens. This gives the photographer more flexibility in setting up the camera according to their personal preferences. Original E-TTL can't average its flashmetering unless specific camera settings are used." -------------------- Chuck Westfall Director/Technical Marketing Dept. Camera Division/Canon U.S.A., Inc. The original thread is here: http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthrea...art=1&vc=1 There is also some info here: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettlii Regards, Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

30th of October 2004 (Sat)	#6
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	What flashes will work with my Canon DSLR? Canon digital cameras are designed to work with flashes using their proprietary E-TTL/II system. If you are going to use a hot shoe flash, it must support E-TTL/II or function in manual operation. All Canon "EX" series flashes will function in E-TTL/II. Canon "EZ" series flashes will not. There are third party flashes such as Sigma and Quantum that make flashes compatible with ETTL/II. You have to check each model. You can also use a non-Canon flash via the PC socket in manual flash mode. When using any non-Canon flash unit, you must be certain that its "flash trigger voltage" doesn't exceed 6 volts unless the camera Manual indicates that body has a higher limit. This usually applies to the PC socket as well as the hot shoe. Check your Manual. High voltages will fry your shutter. For a comprehensive discussion of Canon EOS flash, please refer to: http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/ Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

1st of November 2004 (Mon)	#8
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	The Off The Shoe Cord II is the only cord that will work for ETTL and ETTLII. It's like moving your hot shoe off the camera. It should work with any ETTL compatible flash. Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

2nd of November 2004 (Tue)	#9
Jesper Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,742	Two links: Portable Studio Flash Using Canon Speedlites One Flash, Two Flashes, Three Flashes __________________ Please visit my gallery! Canon EOS 5D EF 24-105 f/4 L IS, EF 70-200 f/4 L IS, EF 35 f/2, EF 50 f/1.8 II, EF 100 f/2.8 Macro USM Extender EF 1.4x II, Speedlite 550EX Last edited by CyberDyneSystems : 5th of January 2005 (Wed) at 13:02.

27th of December 2004 (Mon)	#11
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	Does ETTL /II Work? http://www.photography-on-the.net/fo...ad.php?t=51728 Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

1st of February 2005 (Tue)	#12
Jesper Goldmember Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,742	Re: -=EOS Flash=- Sticky (Updated 1/8/05) Broken Links Fixed How to repair a broken 550 EX flash tube yourself __________________ Please visit my gallery! Canon EOS 5D EF 24-105 f/4 L IS, EF 70-200 f/4 L IS, EF 35 f/2, EF 50 f/1.8 II, EF 100 f/2.8 Macro USM Extender EF 1.4x II, Speedlite 550EX Last edited by Jesper : 2nd of February 2005 (Wed) at 02:47.

23rd of February 2005 (Wed)	#13
scottbergerphoto Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 5,466	From Tom W : ETTLII from Canon Not too deep, but a brief explanation of E-TTL II from Canon Europe: http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/art...100262&pageId=1 Thanks Tom. Scott __________________ One World, One Voice Against Terror, Best Regards, Scott We're Not Afraid ScottBergerPhotography

23rd of February 2005 (Wed)	#15
Tom W Canon Fanosapien Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee Posts: 12,238 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: -=EOS Flash=- Sticky (Updated 2/23/05) Mark is correct, Scott. Apparently, the added "&page" stuff at the end of the link makes it go 404. Try this: http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/arti...ticleId=100262 PS - I'll fix my link in the earlier post. __________________ Tom 5D II, 7D, & various lenses

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