E-TTL and softbox

Hi,

I am just starting to learn about the lights and the different mode. With a speedlite and a softbox, you can set it to manual mode. Can E-TTL still work if the speedlite is inside a softbox? I have seen many people use E-TTL without a softbox.

I commonly use ETTL with the speedlite in a soft box.
The TTL metering reflective from the subject so the fact that the speedlite is inside a modifier is irrelevant.

^^^That.

ETTL works by the camera analysing the amount of light that falls on the subject. It's doesn't think about the light in terms of how much each individual flash is outputting.

Tiberius wrote in post #16315389
ETTL works by the camera analysing the amount of light that falls on the subject. It's doesn't think about the light in terms of how much each individual flash is outputting.

The camera works by analysing the light that is reflected by the subject and enters through the lens.

It is why there can be a difference between a light meter measuring the beam of light that could hit the subject and be totally reflected to the camera, and what the camera says. The camera is more accurate.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16315534
The camera works by analysing the light that is reflected by the subject and enters through the lens.

It is why there can be a difference between a light meter measuring the beam of light that could hit the subject and be totally reflected to the camera, and what the camera says. The camera is more accurate.

Gah, that's what I meant.

I meant that it works by measuring the light it sees hitting the subject and reflecting off into the camera, rather than figuring, "The flash is X feet away from the subject, so it has to fire at a strength of Y in order to expose properly."

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16315534
The camera works by analysing the light that is reflected by the subject and enters through the lens.

It is why there can be a difference between a light meter measuring the beam of light that could hit the subject and be totally reflected to the camera, and what the camera says. The camera is more accurate.

Are you saying ETTL metering from a camera is more accurate than a light meter?

Tiberius wrote in post #16315609
Gah, that's what I meant.

I meant that it works by measuring the light it sees hitting the subject and reflecting off into the camera, rather than figuring, "The flash is X feet away from the subject, so it has to fire at a strength of Y in order to expose properly."

The flash has no idea how far it is away from you or your subject.

Thanks everyone for their inputs. How much light is lost thru the softbox?

chenga732 wrote in post #16316548
Thanks everyone for their inputs. How much light is lost thru the softbox?

How long is a piece of rope?

drvnbysound wrote in post #16315879
Are you saying ETTL metering from a camera is more accurate than a light meter?

Yes, I am, despite old hands' expertise in using meters.

By more accurate, I mean that the camera reads the light which actually comes through the lens onto the sensor. The light meter is way back in the chain, and fails to measure how much of the incoming light is going to be reflected into the lens, the reflectivity and reflection angles of the subject. For example, a light may be putting a thin slice of high output onto a dark-skinned side of the face, with the side at 50 degrees to the camera.

The camera takes the actuality into account; the light meter measures just the emitted light. The meter needs more interpreting than the camera sensor.

drvnbysound wrote in post #16315890
The flash has no idea how far it is away from you or your subject.

Which is why I said the flash/camera doesn't work that way.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16317072
Yes, I am, despite old hands' expertise in using meters.

By more accurate, I mean that the camera reads the light which actually comes through the lens onto the sensor. The light meter is way back in the chain, and fails to measure how much of the incoming light is going to be reflected into the lens, the reflectivity and reflection angles of the subject. For example, a light may be putting a thin slice of high output onto a dark-skinned side of the face, with the side at 50 degrees to the camera.

The camera takes the actuality into account; the light meter measures just the emitted light. The meter needs more interpreting than the camera sensor.

Ehh, I've used ETTL... I've wouldn't call it 'accurate'

However, when I use my flash meter with manual flashes, I can put any subject I want in front of the camera and get a proper exposure without changing anything.

I would not call it accurate either. Very close but not on the money. If I'm shooting at that level the flash goes on manual and out comes my L-358.

ETTL is great for situations where there is a great deal of variety in the lighthing and working distance from shot to shot, but for studio use manual and a light meter is preferable. If for no other reason that ETTL meters each shot independently so you could have the same two subjects but two different exposures because of a minor change in position.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16318735
ETTL is great for situations where there is a great deal of variety in the lighthing and working distance from shot to shot, but for studio use manual and a light meter is preferable. If for no other reason that ETTL meters each shot independently so you could have the same two subjects but two different exposures because of a minor change in position.

That is the lack of accuracy that I was referring to.

If I'm setting up a softbox, chances are I'm not in an environment or shooting where the lighting is changing enough to use ETTL.