Double image with flash

I have Canon 430EXII flash & 5DMkII & 24 - 70 L 2.8 lens.
Getting double images. I guess the flash is so fast if the shutter speed is too long this is the result. Can anyone recommend best camera setting for indoor use at wedding. Incidentally I prefer one AF point as the multi AF I find is rather random. So full auto is not my preference.

Post a sample picture but it sounds as if there is enough ambient light for the image and the flash freezes a second.

I hope you are not taking on the responsibility of shooting a wedding and asking this question.

gjl711 wrote in post #15760799
Post a sample picture but it sounds as if there is enough ambient light for the image and the flash freezes a second.

x2 My money is on this too.

I am guessing you are using the camera in aperture priority which will set a shutter speed slow enough to record a second image using available light. Change to shutter priority and use a faster shutter speed.

Stop using Av mode. Use M at the sync speed and with a moderate ISO.

I just did the wedding. If I set say 500 iso & apeture priority of say 2.8 then the camera set shutter speed as if no flash attached of say 6th of a second. So I get the sharp flash pic plus superimposed a slightly blurred image due to long exposure time of 6th second. The camera only seems to take account of flash & set all OK if the green square selected in other words full auto on the camera!
I try & avoid full auto as I don't like the multi AF point system which is too random. I prefer centre point only point at what you want to fouces on then frame shot then take picture.
Also even with one shot set in AF drive when not on full atuo the camera was sometimes taking bursts!
Any advice appreciated

mrgooch wrote in post #15760874
I hope you are not taking on the responsibility of shooting a wedding and asking this question.

+1. I at least hope it wasn't a paid gig.


Your camera should have a custom function that will limit the shutter to a minimum of 1/60th when a flash is attached. Using this you shouldn't have an issue.

Start reading.... https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=138907

In a nutshell... the problem is that you are using Av.... That exposure mode or Tv or P, will set the camera per the ambient light (ignoring the flash) and apply the flash as partial flash or "fill"... held back to about 1.33 to 1.66 below the level of the ambient light. In this case you are forcing a really slow shutter speed, which is recording one image, then a second one is recorded when the flash fires.

In order to use "full" flash, where the flash is your only or primary light source, switch the camera to M, select the shutter speed you want up to 1/200, select the aperture you want (this determines the reach of the flash), and change the ISO if needed. If you want the flash to be the only light source, use a lower ISO.... if you want to partially include ambient light, set the ISO a bit higher. You have to dial it in based upon the ambient light and what balance of ambient vs flash you want.

But, the basic idea is to use any of the Auto Exposure modes with flash for FILL.... and use M when you want FULL flash.

Note, the flash doesn't care what shutter speed you use, so long as it's 1/200 or slower. The aperture controls the distance/reach of the flash (as well as depth of field). The ISO controls the balance between ambient and flash light.

Canon flash (and some third party) offer HSS or High Speed Sync flash, that permits using shutter speeds faster than 1/200 on your camera. HSS works, but seriously reduces the flash's reach.

If shooting moving subjects and wanting "movement trails", Canon flash can use Rear Curtain Sync. This will make the trailing effects (such as headlights or tail lights on a car) appear behind the subject rather than in front of it, which looks rather odd. You cannot use both HSS and Rear Curtain Sync at the same time.

Pobinr wrote in post #15762996
I just did the wedding. If I set say 500 iso & apeture priority of say 2.8 then the camera set shutter speed as if no flash attached of say 6th of a second. So I get the sharp flash pic plus superimposed a slightly blurred image due to long exposure time of 6th second. The camera only seems to take account of flash & set all OK if the green square selected in other words full auto on the camera!
I try & avoid full auto as I don't like the multi AF point system which is too random. I prefer centre point only point at what you want to fouces on then frame shot then take picture.
Also even with one shot set in AF drive when not on full atuo the camera was sometimes taking bursts!
Any advice appreciated

It's functioning correctly, it's user error that is the problem. In AV mode the camera does not care about the flash, it still tries to get the exposure correct without it. You have to use TV or go full manual.

I had this problem on the weekend shooting my daughters party.. I guess the shutter speed is too low? using m at iso 6400 f4.5 and 1/80 and bounce flash off the ceiling.

Any suggestions on what is the problem here..

Broomer wrote in post #15763155
I had this problem on the weekend shooting my daughters party.. I guess the shutter speed is too low? using m at iso 6400 f4.5 and 1/80 and bounce flash off the ceiling.

Any suggestions on what is the problem here..

Yep, shutter speed was too slow.

Broomer wrote in post #15763155
I had this problem on the weekend shooting my daughters party.. I guess the shutter speed is too low? using m at iso 6400 f4.5 and 1/80 and bounce flash off the ceiling.

Any suggestions on what is the problem here..

Turn the iso down and let the flash do more work.

Broomer wrote in post #15763155
I had this problem on the weekend shooting my daughters party.. I guess the shutter speed is too low? using m at iso 6400 f4.5 and 1/80 and bounce flash off the ceiling.

Any suggestions on what is the problem here..

There is too much ambient light for that slow of a shutter speed. You are getting ghosting from the ambient light/shutter combination/high ISO. The flash is freezing the subject.

Use a higher shutter speed, a smaller aperature, a lower ISO or a combination of those to prevent the ghosting caused by ambient light.

philwillmedia wrote in post #15763165
Yep, shutter speed was too slow.

I don't think it's that simple, I manage to shoot at 1/60th with flash and I don't get motion blur or double exposures. The problem I see is when people are setting the camera up to expose for ambient and then adding flash. Iso 6400 and flash? Sounds like the iso was more the issue than the shutter speed.

1/60th, with bounced flash as the main light on the subject:

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