Can someone school me in the 430ex flash?

Thanks guys.


When I get my flash I'll make sure to read the manuel.

And Warrenism, I meant to say all the way tot he right for night time photos using bulb settings.

DerekRob wrote in post #6185505
Thanks guys.


When I get my flash I'll make sure to read the manuel.

And Warrenism, I meant to say all the way tot he right for night time photos using bulb settings.

haha, i suspect you may have meant that, but then the inverse occurs where highlights can clip dramatically which "possibly" can affect the overall image.

Do i presume correct that you are attempting to take long exposure night shots?

I want to get hold of one of these aswell, so i can direct it up rather than direct. as on board flash is quite harsh.

Although i have diffused it a bit (quite noticeable) by cutting a milk bottle handle, and clamping it over the on board flash.

Warrenism wrote in post #6185547
haha, i suspect you may have meant that, but then the inverse occurs where highlights can clip dramatically which "possibly" can affect the overall image.

Do i presume correct that you are attempting to take long exposure night shots?

I do and I am.


like moon shots, star shots.

I would say shoot to the left but not so far that highlights clips. Maybe around 1/3 - 2/3 over. If the moon is your sole subject, do remember it gets quite bright on a clear night. Use the aperture and shutter accordingly.

Warrenism wrote in post #6185917
I would say shoot to the left but not so far that highlights clips. Maybe around 1/3 - 2/3 over. If the moon is your sole subject, do remember it gets quite bright on a clear night. Use the aperture and shutter accordingly.

It's really amazing how easy it is to get motion blur on a moon shot.

you cant disable flash firing in the 400D and below when using a external flash.

but in the 450D just goto the 2nd yellow camera setting option, then goto flash control and then disable flash firing. Its the same with with the 40D and i would assume 1dmkiii and 1dsmkiii since the menus are the same.
(i think on the pre-digic III cameras it is a custom function)

doing that allows you to only use the external flash's focus assist beam.

DerekRob wrote in post #6183978
I know there is a big difference in the camera flash to the 430 ex flash, However I'm not quite sure how much of a differnce between the 2 can be?

Like for example if I went out on the back deck of my house and used the night portret shot and then use the 430 EX I can see much more then with the camera flash right?

and 1600 iso shots with the meter all the way tot he left will be much less noise correct?

The most noticeable difference of using an external flash is the abilities you will aquire.

When using the onboard flash, there is only one direction and very basic ways of controlling how the light is distributed.

External flashes can be rotated or pointed in different locations, have the ability to be even stronger and use more advanced light modifiers. It also gives you the chance to shoot off camera using triggers or cables.

As for the noise at 1600, if not correctly exposed you will see noise either way. Having it all the way to the left, yes the flash will fill in using ETTL to the best of its abilities but remember, it cannot light up everything.

Downsides about ETTL, it gets fooled sometimes by white objects and also reflective things like windows or mirrors resulting in an underexposed picture at times.

With flash, its a whole new ballgame but something worth having.

elysium, Thanks man I'll remember that.