Pre flash 580ex11

Just got the 580ex11, in the instruction manuel it states in program mode quote "Right before the shot is taken, a pre flash is fired, then the main flash is fired", now my gun does not fire this pre flash, am I misunderstanding the instruction, have i set it wrong, I am using the 1dmk3 is it a setting in the camera , please help , its driving me NUTS

Martin
www.digital-monochrome.co.uk

You probably won't see the E-TTL pre-flash, as it happens so quickly before the main pop. The only time you see it is if using FEL (which fires the pre-flash when you push FEL), or if you're using external optical triggers, basic examples of which go off with the pre-flash and not the main flash after the mirror has flipped up and the shutter has opened.

David

I have found that if you focus in the same spot and use the flash exposure lock, then don't use it, the exposure is higher than without it. This is an easy experiment on a tripod.

Set a long exposure (1 second or more) with second curtain. You'll see the pre flash just fine.

If you see a flash through the viewfinder, it's the preflash. The "real" flash happens after the mirror goes up.

Thanks Guys I can see it now with your great info

Martin

Is there a pre-flash with manual mode (on the camera) even if the flash is on ETTL?

Chiva wrote in post #4861728
Is there a pre-flash with manual mode (on the camera) even if the flash is on ETTL?

Yep.

when using Av mode on low light scene, why does the shutter is slow even when there's flash?

In Av mode, the camera ALWAYS meters for the ambient light and does not take flash into account; if it's dark, you'll get a slow shutter speed. If you're outside and want to use flash as fill, Av mode is the way to go (make sure you enable HSS on the flash). Inside where flash is the main source of illumination, you'll want to be in manual mode so you can set the shutter speed yourself (usually something between 1/60s-1/250s to get some ambient light in)

engrmariano wrote in post #6232721
when using Av mode on low light scene, why does the shutter is slow even when there's flash?

And when all else fails P mode works great....

egordon99 wrote in post #6232825
In Av mode, the camera ALWAYS meters for the ambient light and does not take flash into account; if it's dark, you'll get a slow shutter speed. If you're outside and want to use flash as fill, Av mode is the way to go (make sure you enable HSS on the flash). Inside where flash is the main source of illumination, you'll want to be in manual mode so you can set the shutter speed yourself (usually something between 1/60s-1/250s to get some ambient light in)

btw, im alwas using M-mode on low light situations & Av on well lit situations.

im just curious about the pre-flash thing coz i've seen from a nikon-user friend that he always got a pre-flash with his SB. but i havnt asked him what mode is he using.