580EX II on a 6D - issues with exposure

I have a new 6D, and I am trying to do some 'test' portraits with my 580EX II. I'm using ETTL mode; and aperture priority. I was able to adjust exposure compensation when using my previous camera (1D3) but I can;t seem to be able to soften the intensity of the flash either on camera, r off camera with my Yongnuo 622C triggers.

Any suggestions? attaching one sample.

Use the camera flash control menus, not on-flash settings.

Addendum - Try the Rest on each 622C ({CH] + {GP} for over three seconds until the LEDs flash.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16893942
Use the camera flash control menus, not on-flash settings.

I actually lowered the compensation down to -3... and it really didn't seem to be taking some reason. Oh, yeah, through camera control menu.

AV uses a couple of Canon technologies that can undo your compensation. So can the Lighting Optimiser setting - turn it off.

Is ALO/HTP turned on? Both can screw up exposure.

CliveyBoy wrote in post #16893987
AV uses a couple of Canon technologies that can undo your compensation. So can the Lighting Optimiser setting - turn it off.

I'll try to find this.. thanks

It might sound dumb, but exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation are two different settings in Canon dslrs. Are you sure you aren't dialing -3 on the EC which is cutting down the ambient light and ETTL is bumping up flash power to exposing the scene properly. to cut back flash power, you will need to dial down "flash exposure compensation", which can be found inside your flash settings.

onick wrote in post #16894434
It might sound dumb, but exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation are two different settings in Canon dslrs. Are you sure you aren't dialing -3 on the EC which is cutting down the ambient light and ETTL is bumping up flash power to exposing the scene properly. to cut back flash power, you will need to dial down "flash exposure compensation", which can be found inside your flash settings.

We may have a winner! I've done that.

onick wrote in post #16894434
It might sound dumb, but exposure compensation and flash exposure compensation are two different settings in Canon dslrs. Are you sure you aren't dialing -3 on the EC which is cutting down the ambient light and ETTL is bumping up flash power to exposing the scene properly. to cut back flash power, you will need to dial down "flash exposure compensation", which can be found inside your flash settings.

In the menu on the camera, you can adjust the flash as well... I believe I just adjusted the flash via the camera menu. I'll double check, Good idea!

Make sure your FEC is set at "0" on the flash itself, and then set the FEC on the camera. Any FEC setting on the flash will over-ride the camera. Read the note at the bottom.

msowsun wrote in post #16895272
Make sure your FEC is set at "0" on the flash itself, and then set the FEC on the camera. Any FEC setting on the flash will over-ride the camera. Read the note at the bottom.

Looks like I was good there as well. Would the fact that I was bouncing the flash make any difference?

More tests today!

Bouncing the flash will make no difference other than you will max out the power before straight on flash.

I still don't understand your actual problem.

Are you able to adjust the FEC in the camera menu? In the photo you posted the "XMP" EXIF data shows -1 FEC. I am not familiar with XMP data. Does that mean it was done in Post Processing?

msowsun wrote in post #16896671
Bouncing the flash will make no difference other than you will max out the power before straight on flash.

I still don't understand your actual problem.

Are you able to adjust the FEC in the camera menu? In the photo you posted the EXIF data shows -1 FEC. Did you want more -FEC?

It didn't appear that the FEC was decreasing intensity. I went down to -3, and it looked 'almost' as bright as -1.

I'll do some more testing today, and take good notes! May have been an operator error.

When you do the test, I would shoot in Manual mode because Av mode will always try to expose for the ambient light. That could be why you didn't see much reduction with the - FEC.

Another option is to use Av mode, but dial in -1 or -2 Exposure Compensation, and then adjust FEC as needed.

The camera will meter the ambient light and flash separately.

msowsun wrote in post #16896704
When you do the test, I would shoot in Manual mode because Av mode will always try to expose for the ambient light. That could be why you didn't see much reduction with the - FEC.

Another option is to use Av mode, but dial in -1 or -2 Exposure Compensation, and then adjust FEC as needed.

The camera will meter the ambient light and flash separately.

Looks like I just had some settings incorrect on the camera and flash. I went through and checked everything, set it up correctly using your suggestions.

Here's the results (using AV mode) top with flash, bottom w/o. Thats what I was looking for!