Need a kick-start for manual flash!

This is embarrassing! I've been using ETTL flash so much and for so long, I've forgotten a couple of basic things about manual flash.
I have a 5dMKII and 580 and 550 flashes.
Here's what I do now---set the camera in Manual mode with virtually any aperture and shutter speed. Adust shutter and aperture according to ambient light and DOF considerations. The ETTL takes care of things after that. The only way I know to over or underexpose is to adjust the output of the flash from the camera.
What's my starting point for the appropriate manual setup for the camera? That is, I assume I still use manual mode for the camera? But, where do I start out with the flash setting? And how do I determine the shutter/aperture and flash setting after that.
I don't need a long description...I've done it many times before. I've simply forgotten and I'm not home at the moment! I'm away from my tutorials and "flash resources." Just looking to get some tips to get me back on the manual flash track and I can take it from there.
Thanks...and sorry for such a stupid question! hahaha

You need to stay in acceptable sync speed range. Pick the aperture you want for creative reasons. Test shot to get the ambient you want, adjust ISO if needed to get the shutter speed below x-sync (max sync speed). Then add flash, adjust power of flash in manual mode as needed.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15366980
You need to stay in acceptable sync speed range. Pick the aperture you want for creative reasons. Test shot to get the ambient you want, adjust ISO if needed to get the shutter speed below x-sync (max sync speed). Then add flash, adjust power of flash in manual mode as needed.

Thanks! If I want to underexpose, then, I assume I can either adjust the camera's aperture/shutter speed OR the flash setting. Right?

BTW, thanks for the prompt response!

sml wrote in post #15366990
Thanks! If I want to underexpose, then, I assume I can either adjust the camera's aperture/shutter speed OR the flash setting. Right?

BTW, thanks for the prompt response!

Do you want to underexpose the ambient/background then yes manual mode and underexpose by using a faster shutter speed if possible, if not adjust ISO or aperture to get there. (Keep in mind that shutter speed is the variable for the background as the flash is delivered in a short burst so SS (other than sync) has no effect on flash exposure) Adjusting aperture or ISO affects both ambient and flash exposure.


If you want to underexpose the subject, then adjust flash power accordingly.

The procedure is going to be exactly the same as your procedure for using ETTL flash, except that you will have to manually adjust the flash output. You can used a light meter, the distance chart on the back of your flash, eye it, or use a combination of the techniques to set the flash output.

After you get things set up you can finesse things by the following (which I think is what you are after).

Reduce flash exposure and maintain ambient exposure - stop down 'x' stops and reduce shutter speed 'x' stops

Reduce ambient exposure and maintain flash exposure - increase shutter speed.

Reduce both ambient and flash exposure together - stop down and leave shutter speed the same.

The procedure for increasing exposure is the opposite.

doidinho wrote in post #15367131
The procedure is going to be exactly the same as your procedure for using ETTL flash, except that you will have to manually adjust the flash output. You can used a light meter, the distance chart on the back of your flash, eye it, or use a combination of the techniques to set the flash output.

After you get things set up you can finesse things by the following (which I think is what you are after).

Reduce flash exposure and maintain ambient exposure - stop down 'x' stops and reduce shutter speed 'x' stops

Reduce ambient exposure and maintain flash exposure - increase shutter speed.

Reduce both ambient and flash exposure together - stop down and leave shutter speed the same.

The procedure for increasing exposure is the opposite.

Thanks! Huge help.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15367019
Do you want to underexpose the ambient/background then yes manual mode and underexpose by using a faster shutter speed if possible, if not adjust ISO or aperture to get there. (Keep in mind that shutter speed is the variable for the background as the flash is delivered in a short burst so SS (other than sync) has no effect on flash exposure) Adjusting aperture or ISO affects both ambient and flash exposure.


If you want to underexpose the subject, then adjust flash power accordingly.

Thx!