[help] 400D internal flash control...

Hi!

Is there (if is, please explain how) way to set the flash of EOS400D so that:

1. It will fire after long exposure photo taken in bulk mode?

2. It will fire with minimum power in all conditions?

Thanks for answers,
Robert

For number 1, in the menus set the flash to fire with Second Curtain Synch.. Search your manual for that term. This will fire the flash just before the shutter closes.

As for 2, I do not think there is anyway to control the flash output of the onboard flash manually. Best thing I think you can go is set Flash Exposure Compensation to -2.

If you get a Speedlight you can set the flash power manually.

What are you trying to do?

JeffreyG wrote in post #4164504
For number 1, in the menus set the flash to fire with Second Curtain Synch.. Search your manual for that term. This will fire the flash just before the shutter closes.

As for 2, I do not think there is anyway to control the flash output of the onboard flash manually. Best thing I think you can go is set Flash Exposure Compensation to -2.

If you get a Speedlight you can set the flash power manually.

What are you trying to do?

thanks for the info... Is there any way to set the flash to fire only once, without pre-calibrating flashes?

1. For some light paintings...


2. The second is that, I want use my internal flash to start some external stroble-lamps, do not know how to call that in english, but nevermind.

OK,
I understand what you want to do. I am not an expert on external strobes but I think you really need to use a 580EX to do this. It can we worked manually as a trigger.

I don't think there is any way to use the onboard flash manually, which means it will always fire the pre-flash for E-TTL and cause your strobes to fire too early.

JeffreyG wrote in post #4165669
OK,
I understand what you want to do. I am not an expert on external strobes but I think you really need to use a 580EX to do this. It can we worked manually as a trigger.

I don't think there is any way to use the onboard flash manually, which means it will always fire the pre-flash for E-TTL and cause your strobes to fire too early.

Thanks again for Your post. Currently, I do not have external flash, but it is first on my upgrades list... i've read strobist blog, and he complained about canon flashes, that not all models work in full manual mode... maybe You do know something in that topic... which models do, and which don't? If You got any suggestions, I would apreciate posting them here.

Cheers,
Robert

I've never used slaved strobes. I suggest reposting your question in the forum section on flash. Sorry.

Any EX series Speedlight will give you a manual mode.

bieber wrote in post #4166015
Any EX series Speedlight will give you a manual mode.

I don't think I have a manual mode with my 420EX.

Really? Well, any modern EX series speedlight (except, I believe, the 220EX, which doesn't really count)

robgr85 wrote in post #4165976
Thanks again for Your post. Currently, I do not have external flash, but it is first on my upgrades list... i've read strobist blog, and he complained about canon flashes, that not all models work in full manual mode... maybe You do know something in that topic... which models do, and which don't? If You got any suggestions, I would apreciate posting them here.

Cheers,
Robert

robgr,

I'm no expert on lighting -- I do mostly outdoor photography -- but I do have a setup for "casual portrait" photograpy that I've used in indoor settings such as my living room where I want the lighting to be subdued and natural-seeming or side-lit.

I have a 580 EX speedlight which is typically mounted to and controlled by my 30D or 5D. I have two 430 EX's, one or both are mounted and set to the "Slave" setting. It's important to note that the 580 EX is the only Speedlight which can be used as a Master. It controls through infrared, so that you can direct your 580 up or to the side (to reflect) or even turn the strobe off and your slaves will still fire. The 580 also has a small auxilliary bouncer/reflector, which the 430's do not, and a better diffuser which can be used with wider lenses.

I typically use this setup with a large reflector to the side of my subject and aim my 580 to the reflector and use my 530, sometimes with a diffuser, in such a way that some light hits my subject and some hits my reflector. I'll then work with flash compensation so that the desired amout of illumination/softness is achieved. Each of the flashes have manual settings as well, so you can vary the master and each of the slaves, or you can vary two sets of slaves through the master.

This sound like a simple setup and it is, no large equipment crowding my small living room or other living space, but it produces pleasing, subdued effects.

Hope this helps a little!

I have a Sigma flash that has (unfortunately) a dedicated Minolta shoe fitting and cannot be mounted therefore on a standard shoe. It will, however, act as a slave off any other flash and I have used it in this mode either on a bracket or a tripod. Before I got a 430 EX I triggered it using the on-board flash (which I believe the OP wants to do) and ETTL turned off. Since I wanted the Sigma to be the primary light I covered the camera's flash with a handkercheif to bring it down to a level just strong enough to activate the slave.