Canon 430EX ii

Dilemma

I just picked one of these up, absolutely love it. However, I do not seem to be able to preview my images through the viewfinder. I have found I can hold my shutter button to add some light to the viewfinder without actually snapping a photo but it does not show me what my finished product will look like. Surely there has to be a way to see the image? Or is this trial an error? Thanks

No, you dont get a preview of your flash image on any model of flash or dslr.

Bracetty wrote in post #16893439
Dilemma

I just picked one of these up, absolutely love it. However, I do not seem to be able to preview my images through the viewfinder. I have found I can hold my shutter button to add some light to the viewfinder without actually snapping a photo but it does not show me what my finished product will look like. Surely there has to be a way to see the image? Or is this trial an error? Thanks

You mean you want to get a preview of what your pictures will look like with the flash lighting them, but before you actually take the photo?

Sounds like you are talking about the modelling flash, which can be connected to the Depth of Field preview button, which sits down next to your lens. It sets your flash to give a pulse of low powered light for a second. But this is digital and it's far easier to simply take the photo and check it out on the back of the camera than use up your batteries like this...

Heh! I didn't even realize that the 430 had a modeling mode, but I looked it up, and it does!

To the OP, check the Custom Functions in the manual, C.Fn-02 is for the "Modeling flash", there are three modes for enabling it, one to disable it, it looks like the default is for enabling it and it fires when you press the Depth of Field button -- does your camera have a DOF button?

But, as has been suggested, using that will use up both the camera battery and the flash batteries so, try it out, but be careful of your power limitations!

Even with modeling flash you still dont really get a preview screen though

gonzogolf wrote in post #16894049
Even with modeling flash you still dont really get a preview screen though

Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't you be able to see the 'effect' before you take the shot in live view?

yogestee wrote in post #16894078
Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't you be able to see the 'effect' before you take the shot in live view?

I suppose you might be able to get some vague impression in live view, but if you hold the preview down long enough to get a good peek you will probably send the flash into thermal protection.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16894049
Even with modeling flash you still dont really get a preview screen though

The OP asked about being able to "preview my images through the viewfinder", which is exactly what the modeling flash function enables!

Wouldn't it have to be artificial? Why not just take a pic and chimp? Adjust as necessary?

EOS-Mike wrote in post #16894816
Wouldn't it have to be artificial? Why not just take a pic and chimp? Adjust as necessary?

A much better option . You actually have time to evaluate both lighting and exposure value .

EOS-Mike wrote in post #16894816
Why not just take a pic and chimp? Adjust as necessary?

yes, seems quick and easy

Bracetty wrote in post #16893439
Dilemma

I just picked one of these up, absolutely love it. However, I do not seem to be able to preview my images through the viewfinder. I have found I can hold my shutter button to add some light to the viewfinder without actually snapping a photo but it does not show me what my finished product will look like. Surely there has to be a way to see the image? Or is this trial an error? Thanks

It's not trial an error [Sic] at all, if you learn how to use the equipment.

yogestee wrote in post #16894078
Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't you be able to see the 'effect' before you take the shot in live view?

No. You won't get the effect of the flash in live view. The flash doesn't fire until the photo is actually taken.

Tiberius wrote in post #16900975
The flash doesn't fire until the photo is actually taken.

Please explain?

yogestee wrote in post #16901413
Please explain?

What is there to explain? Unless you use the modelling light feature, then you will not see any preview of the effect of the flash until you take the photo. The flash will not emit any light until you take the photo because it won't fire until then. Using Live View won't make any difference. The camera can't figure out what the picture will look like with the flash lighting it and then create a simulation of it in live view. If it could, we wouldn't need flashes any more.