FEC question.

I got my new 430EX II last night and it's really great. As I understand it, you can control all the flash settings with cameras using a Digic 3 or better processor. My camera is a Digic 2, Eos 400D. Does anyone know if the in-camera FEC control works with the 430EX II, or does it only work with the pop up flash on the camera, and to apply FEC to the external flash you have to set it on the flash itself?

Any EOS camera can control FEC from the camera body, it applies to the internal flash or an attached speedlite. Just don't set FEC on the flash as it overrides the camera setting.

And additionally I believe you are limited to one stop less FEC on the camera than you are on the flash. But it sure is easier to set it from the camera, at least from the xxD models.

P.75 of the 400D manual tells you how to set FEC in-camera.

Thanks guys.

I already know how to set the FEC from the camera - I just wanted to be sure it actually worked. As you mention Dave, I find it a lot simpler to do that.

Out of curiosity - how much FEC compensation do folks tend to use? Does it often need more than what's available in the camera?

"Try it and see" is generally a good plan with photography. I've never needed more than +2 FEC, unless I just needed more power than the flash could supply.

Titus213 wrote in post #6381491
And additionally I believe you are limited to one stop less FEC on the camera than you are on the flash. But it sure is easier to set it from the camera, at least from the xxD models.

Just for clarification, the non-1D series cameras can do +/-2 stops of FEC but the 1D cameras let you do +/-3 stops.

tim wrote in post #6381874
......unless I just needed more power than the flash could supply.

How does that work? I would have guessed that if the flash was already maxed out then the FEC wouldn't do anything anymore. Have I misunderstood something basic here? I thought the FEC just added, or subtracted, a little power to what the camera/flash is metering at.....as long as the end result was still within the capability of the flash.

Actually, it changes the assumption about how much light is needed to "correctly" expose the subject, after the programming has assumed what is the subject. This is based on a comparison of the ambient exposure reading and the pre-flash exposure reading.

FEC may often produce the effect you describe, but not necessarily always.

KimLeece wrote in post #6381865
Out of curiosity - how much FEC compensation do folks tend to use?

I tend to use none. It depends on what the subject is and whether or not the tones are normal or not. If I were to shoot weddings (God forbid), then I would use it quite a lot. I do shoot a lot of drag racing and if I see a reflective license tag, I crank in all the +FEC I can get. First see what the results are for the conditions under which you are shooting, then decide whether or not you need FEC.

Titus213 wrote in post #6381491
But it sure is easier to set it from the camera, at least from the xxD models.

Although, it sure is easier to forget you did it when you set it on camera too! I personally always do it on flash, it just works with the way I work!

NathanJK wrote in post #6387342
Although, it sure is easier to forget you did it when you set it on camera too! I personally always do it on flash, it just works with the way I work!

You don't forget it on the flash?

Titus213 wrote in post #6388402
You don't forget it on the flash?

It's always staring right at you on the flash...

milorad wrote in post #6389744
It's always staring right at you on the flash...

As opposed to the bottom left of the viewfinder on my 20D? Which I see every time I take a picture? And which I can adjust without taking my eye off the viewfinder?

Titus213 wrote in post #6391094
As opposed to the bottom left of the viewfinder on my 20D? Which I see every time I take a picture? And which I can adjust without taking my eye off the viewfinder?

Clearly you pay attention to what is in your viewfinder better than I do. I really never realized it was there! I see what you mean now though, I get a lightning bolt with a +- symbol next to it if I adjust it on the camera vs. just a lightning bolt. I dunno, I can see how doing it in camera could be quicker/easier, but do I care to learn a new trick? I'm so used to just glancing at the flash and seeing a +1 or something of the sort...