G6 and 420EX --- Some basic questions !!!

Hi Everybody

I have recently started using my G6 with speedlite 420EX. I have got some good results but I coild not resolve few very basic issues ---- can some experts please help

In P or auto mode the camera always selects shutter at 1/60 with maximum aperture open that is 3 or less depending on tele setting. I understand that the flash power is being varied to achieve accurate exposure but I was wondering that is it normal ??

Even if I select Hi speed sync --- the camera always select 1/60 in P mode unless I force higher shutter speeds in Tv mode.

I have observed that auto focus of camera (P mode) with flash attached has become somewhat erratic --- that is it sometimes takes 2 to 3 attempts to focus a subject whereas same subject in same lighting condition is always focussed in first attempt, without the 420ex. What may be causing it --- or its normal ??

How can I find out that at what intensity flash has fired for a particular exposure ?? Is this info vailable in the "shooting information" recorded by camera. Moreover how can i find for a exporure at auto that what ISO setting was selected by camera ??

Regards

goheer wrote:
Hi Everybody

I have recently started using my G6 with speedlite 420EX. I have got some good results but I coild not resolve few very basic issues ---- can some experts please help


In P or auto mode the camera always selects shutter at 1/60 with maximum aperture open that is 3 or less depending on tele setting. I understand that the flash power is being varied to achieve accurate exposure but I was wondering that is it normal ??

Yup quite normal you are useing an advanced flash in a primative mode, but it gives you the expert options in expert modes like TV AV and Manual (p stands for programmed it give a predefined set of responses)

Even if I select Hi speed sync --- the camera always select 1/60 in P mode unless I force higher shutter speeds in Tv mode.
Same answer as above.
Though if you use high speed sync with fast shutter speeds you pay a high forfit in flash power. Really only suitable over quite short distances.

I have observed that auto focus of camera (P mode) with flash attached has become somewhat erratic --- that is it sometimes takes 2 to 3 attempts to focus a subject whereas same subject in same lighting condition is always focussed in first attempt, without the 420ex. What may be causing it --- or its normal ??

I am surprised but we live and learn.

How can I find out that at what intensity flash has fired for a particular exposure ?? Is this info vailable in the "shooting information" recorded by camera. Moreover how can i find for a exporure at auto that what ISO setting was selected by camera ??

The Canon full exif data is not easily read by many programmes, But if you use a programme like nodal noise, to sort noise problems it reports the iso in that. I am not sure if the flash power is indicated in any of the special exiff reading programmes. or how you could use them if they did. Flash adjustments you make yourself are reported.

Regards

Terry

Thankyou Terry ---- your replies were really helpful