Which Flash Setting ????

I've been asked to photograph some Thai dancers in a local party here in a ny temple.
I am not comfortable with using flash.I do not have an external flash ,so i'm using the one on my 40D
Could someone please recommend the proper camera settings?
Should I use the program mode,manual mode or
Most of the shots will be with a 24-60mmF2.8 lens-with a distance of anywhere from 10ft. to 25ft.

Any suggestions would be appreciated-Thanks
Mike

Try and reproduce the same light conditions at home and just bump up the ISO and see what you can do.

Thanks Asylum...great info!!!

No worries, if you still cant do it, try making your own diffuser our of a bit of paper and some sticky tape so you can atleast bounce the flash upwards for "fill flash" lol

IMO, if they allow flash, an external flash with some kind of diffuser mounted on camera would help greatly. You can use a lower ISO, a higher shutter speed perhaps even stop down a little. With dance recitals you'd definitely need a high shutter speed. A low ISO will help capture the details on the costume. If I'm not mistaken, Thai dances are rich in costume and make-up.

Do not use Av...or the camera will try to use flash as 'fill' and it can slow the shutter speed to something that you cannot hand hold, in an effort to capture ambient light!

If you use P, the camera sets itself at 1/60 shutter, which might make the background look dark and cave-like, while the subject looks good.

If you set the camera on M, and choose a suitable shutter speed to permit the background to register in the photo, it will not look so cave-like...but this is something you might not be ready to try, yet!

You will probably want to dial in FEC = +1EV no matter the mode you choose, to overcome the ETTL tendency to underexpose flash shots!

Wilt,Shutterfiend
Thanks for your replies.

Yes,they do allow flash,and yes,they are all decked out in elaborate silk Thai dress
Up to now ,I've been using the XT with the kit lens,results are not great .
I've been using program mode ,asa200,with the on board flash....now,I'm using the 40D with the onboard flash.with a Sigma 24-60f2.8 lens....I've taken a few flash shots at asa400,& 800 ,they seem to be much better than the XT.
So with that in mind ,should I still dial in the +fec ?

I've been looking at the canon430ex flash ..what are your opinions on this unit?
Thanks
Mike

mike397 wrote in post #4259166
Wilt,Shutterfiend
Thanks for your replies.

Yes,they do allow flash,and yes,they are all decked out in elaborate silk Thai dress
Up to now ,I've been using the XT with the kit lens,results are not great .
I've been using program mode ,asa200,with the on board flash....now,I'm using the 40D with the onboard flash.with a Sigma 24-60f2.8 lens....I've taken a few flash shots at asa400,& 800 ,they seem to be much better than the XT.
So with that in mind ,should I still dial in the +fec ?

I've been looking at the canon430ex flash ..what are your opinions on this unit?
Thanks
Mike

Dial in the FEC!!!!!!! The Canon engineers have only been further proving their flash stupidity with each later generation of product. Even the 580EX-II now underexposes when in Auto (independent photosensor) mode, mimicing the underexposure that ETTL tells it to do!!!