On Camera external Flash - Manual vs ETTL

Hello,

I had a recent experience that I want to share with the community with hope that I can learn from my experience and continue with flash photography in a productive manner.

I am a hobbyist photography with growing interest to putting my skills to the real work and perhaps taking on some paying jobs. I have recently shot a bridal shower for my niece, no charge of course.
This event was perfect for me as I know its less pressure than a wedding and also its got a nice pace that allows me to not have to Rush Rush Rush to not miss a shot.

My gear, Canon 70D, Speedlights (270 and 430 iii) and Yongnuo 650 ii. I had no bounce card, only using the little white card in the flash as a catch light for eyes when bouncing to ceiling.

Up to the day prior to the event, I did NOT have the 430 as I knew the 270 was not correct for the job nor did I think I was up to the task of using the Yongnuo as it is a manual flash.

I fully was prepared to use the flash in the following settings
- 430 in either ETTL mode (on camera)
- as a Slave in ETTL mode (off camera) driven from my popup flash on the 70D (using either All fired with no compensation or as a A:B setup with appropriate compensation)
- as a Slave in Manual mode (off camera)

The venue I shot at was a bit tricky, for the most part it had the perfect settings
- Part of it was perfect for bounce off the ceiling approach.
- Part of it had high vaulted ceilings lined with dark wood.

For the times I could use ceiling and bounce...my 430 was on my camera in Manual Mode (1/2 power, with 1/60-1/250, f 5.6-F 8.0, and ISO ranging from 400-1600) all Manual.
For the times I could not use the ceiling, I pointed the 430 at the subject and put everything in ETTL mode.

So, that was my experience.

I used Manual mode on the flash more than anything.
Perhaps I do not fully understand ETTL, but BUT, my 70D has the underexposure issue when using ETTL in bounce mode and I was getting tired for always having to hit FEL first, then take the picture. Its not hard, but its clumsy. Also, guests are distracted by seeing the flash activity when pressing FEL, then seeing it again when I hit BBF and then finally again on actual exposure. Ugh. I dont want this thread to be about the 70D bounce under exposure issue, we have other threads for that, but this thread is really about using Manual or ETTL for flash.

So, with all that said...did I miss opportunity to use ETTL mode and in doing so, I could have had even better exposures and less time with manual settings? Or was it just the environment that allowed me, thankfully, to leverage my knowledge of Manual settings for flash?

I have a feeling had I been out side without a structure to bounce the flash, I would have used ETTL much more or exclusively.

Your comments/suggests/thou​ghts are much appreciated.

Heya,

I use a fleet of manual flashes, and I use ETTL when I'm on camera. Really though, ETTL II is quite good. Manual and ETTL together can be done to help conserve and control. I would probably run ETTL on the camera and use manual on flashes around the venue so that their exposure values do not change. But it always depends on what you're wanting to accomplish. ETTL however, really can handle it though these days. You simply dial in FEC +/- for your intended effect and you can then drop flash for the venue and use the on camera ETTL, or whatever you wish, just by cycling groups and adjust FEC. Or you can just set flashes to light up the room how you want, and just use fill flash from ETTL on camera for the subject(s).

I know its hard with the 70D and its issue with ETTL bounce exposure. I would probably straight up trade out that camera at this point if you're into flash as it will just always be a problem; I've yet to see a firmware roll out for it and its been a long time.

Going all manual for the camera and all flashes gives you time to learn and control things. But after a while it will also slow things down.

I very often use AV with my flash on ETTL set for fill and I just adjust ISO to achieve what I want. And then just have my manual flashes on stands constant illuminating the area. Adjust overall exposure with ISO value only. And for flash, I only adjust FEC for the fill as needed. ETTLII is amazing.

Very best,

kezug wrote in post #18360286
I used Manual mode on the flash more than anything.
Perhaps I do not fully understand ETTL, but BUT, my 70D has the underexposure issue when using ETTL in bounce mode and I was getting tired for always having to hit FEL first, then take the picture. Its not hard, but its clumsy. Also, guests are distracted by seeing the flash activity when pressing FEL, then seeing it again when I hit BBF and then finally again on actual exposure. Ugh. I dont want this thread to be about the 70D bounce under exposure issue, we have other threads for that, but this thread is really about using Manual or ETTL for flash.

So, with all that said...did I miss opportunity to use ETTL mode and in doing so, I could have had even better exposures and less time with manual settings?

Many of us on POTN started off long ago when the Canon 20D and 30D were guilty of underexposure with eTTL flash, even when using DIRECT flash as well as when using indirect (bounced) flash! Flash exposures were never to the same level of tonality as an all-available-light exposure (with flash off)! It was a routine to simply dial in FEC = +1EV as a default setting for eTTL flash automation. Then with the Canon 40D, the need for FEC +1EV disappeared magically...my point is that you might have been able to leave the flash in eTTL mode and simply dial in the FEC amount to bring bounce flash exposures up to par.

It won't help your subjects' confusion with the "FEL" issue, but putting FEL to the DOF button makes camera manipulation a bit easier, if you are holding the camera. Disregard if on a tripod.

I tried every way under the sun to get around the 70D's bounce-flash issue. In the end, I sold it and bought a 6D/80D combo. Neither has any issues with bounced flash. I use flash way to often to dink with Canon's firmware problem on the 70D.

Thank everyone on the replies.

I am going to start the hunt to selling my 70D and getting the 80D.

I will start looking for sales and good Amazon deals or even refurb.