580EX + 430EX Help.

I just got my 580ex today with plans on using it for some environmental portraits I have coming up. I've been playing around but I havent been able to get the results I wanted. I've read the manual as well as the three or four links in the flash bible.

how would i go about metering these?

are you using them in manual mode or ETTL mode?

You dont meter in ETTL mode... the camera does it for you.

If you are in manual mode, you should buy a light meter. It takes the guess work out of the entire thing.

Also, are you planning on using them as a master/slave setup?

im using them in ETTL and not getting the results I desire, I have a light meter, but ive only metered for ambient light and hotlights with my view camera, i have yet to meter for flash yet. so , im kind of lost. yes, i am planning to use as a master/slave set up.

If you could post an image and let us know what you don't like about them and what you are trying to achieve it would give us some idea of where to go from there.

try and dial in some FEC (flash exposure compensation)... that usually helps when im doing master slave. Also, might want to try out FEL (*) button on the area you are trying to expose.

Thats pretty much the only ETTL fix i can think of off the top of my head.

It really helps to be bouncing the flahs as well, when i did master slave i rarly ever did direct flash, i usually had a stand and brolly which gave me a much cleaner light. Often the difference beteween getting the shot i wanted, and having the light look bland.

yeah, ive been playing with the FEC quite a bit, i also have it on a light stand, usually bounced. I just think i expected more. But thanks for the help!

also, does anyone have anymore links about wireless speedlights? anything is good. i like reading.

http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=95285
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=92411
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …?t=96081&highli​ght=ratios
http://www.photography​-on-the.net …?t=87673&highli​ght=ratios
https://photography-on-the.net …ad.php?t=46778&​highlight=

In ETTL a hand held meter serves no purpose for the flash. It will only read the preflash. If you switch to Wireless Manual then a hand held meter is invaluable.

thanks scott! but i've read all those! im pretty sure i've exhaused the wealth of wireless ETTL information on this forum.

If you've read all that, then it's time to just methodically try out different setttings until you get what works for you.

I would think to get proper assistance, posting of your unsatisfactory results would certainly help.