420EX and P Mode

Okay,

Just to put some data together, here are my findings, they correlate to all other posts.

---------------
Auto
internal flash - shutter speed is autoset to 1/60 sec (FEL)
not able to use dial to shift settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

external 420ex flash (high / normal synchro) - shutter speed is autoset to 1/60 sec (FEL not functional)

[I][SIZE=2]Programme
internal flash - shutter speed is autoset to 1/60 sec (FEL)
not able to use dial to shift Programme settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

external 420ex flash (high normal synchro) - shutter speed is autoset to 1/60 sec (FEL )
not able to use dial to shift settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

[I][SIZE=2]Aperture Priority
internal flash - shutter speed is set up to 1/250 sec depending on aperture chosen (FEL)
not able to use dial to shift settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

external 420ex flash (high normal synchro) - shutter speed is autoset depending on aperture selection (FEL) up to 1/2000sec
not able to use dial to shift Programme settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

[I][SIZE=1][I][SIZE=2]Shutter Priority
internal flash - shutter speed is set up to 1/250 sec depending on shutter selection (FEL)
not able to use dial to shift settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

external 420ex flash (high / normal synchro) - shutter speed is autoset to depending on shutter speed slelection (FEL) up to 1/2000 sec
not able to use dial to shift Programme settings to any other aperture / shutter combination

Manual
[I][SIZE=1][I][SIZE=2]internal flash - shutter speed is set up to 1/250 sec depending on shutter selection (FEL not functional)
not able to use dial to shift settings to any other aperture / shutter combination while FEL

external 420ex flash (high / normal synchro) - shutter speed is autoset to depending on shutter speed selection (FEL not functional) up to 1/2000 sec
not able to use dial to shift Programme settings to any other aperture / shutter combination
---------------

This brings to mind / suggestions two things,

Why isnt it possible to have the flash exposure lock (FEL) settings adjusted once FEL is performed on a photo composition, with the flash output adjusted (if indeed necessary - as exposure does not change) in accordance with aperture and shutter combination changes.

Also, why isnt FEL available on auto with external 420ex while available with the use of the intneral flash. (not that i use auto, but just a technicality)

And the same old problem of why programme sets to 1/60 of a sec and not take advantage of flash synchro speeds of up to 1/250sec with internal flash and up to 1/2000 sec with external flash

IF some of my findings dont correspond to your experience, let me know,

Nabil - thats a lot of great data - It's crazy to me that my orignal question on this thread still stands - why the default of 1/60 for flash shots in P mode? Someone call Canon and ask them!! Hurry!

I think that shooting at 1/60 with flash rarely presents a problem as it is the far shorter duration of the flash itself that creates the image exposure. That being said, the default to 1/60 often produces a better lighted , more natural background than if a fast shutter speed were used.
Just my take on it.

For what it's worth, the G1, in P mode, with the 420ex flash doesn't default to 1/60. Here's an example: Good point from newhouse, though. With flash, even at 1/60 shutter speed, movement can be frozen as the flash is firing at up to 1/50000.
IainB
0009.CRW
Camera Model Name
Canon PowerShot G1
Shooting Date/Time
17/11/2004 8:50:14 a.m.
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/250
Av( Aperture Value )
4.0
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
-2/3
ISO Speed
50
Lens
7.0 - 21.0mm
Focal Length
10.8mm
Digital Zoom
None
Image Size
2048x1536
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
On
Flash Type
External E-TTL
Flash Exposure Compensation
-2/3

Despite wrestling with my G6, in programme mode i get nothing but 1/60 of a second when shooting indoor photos

dumb question but i just received my 420 ex this morning and having just started with the manual I see reference to type A and type B cameras. I have a pro 1 and don't see any reference to it. Does anyone know if the A or B apply to my camera? Really appreciate your knowledge on this.
Thanks

Just received my new 420 ex this morning and while reading through the manual it says there are two types of camera's for it, the type A and Type B but I don't see anything relative to my powershot pro 1. Does anyone know if its an A or B? Appreciate any response, thanks.

Your camera would fall into the Type A category. The only thing that wont work in the type a instructions is the AF assist beam (page 16) modelling flash (page 30).

Pages 31 - 38 are for ttl, both the g6 and pro1 are ettl compatible so pages 39 onwards are applicable also.