Gary Fong's explanation of the Canon ETTL flash system

FYI.

http://garyfong1.xanga​.com/

Why is the image reversed? Do I need to become dyslexic to follow the video?

A good basic explanation of what is mysterious to many, nonetheless.

Looked to me like it was a left handed camera. Does that even exist? It bugged me the whole time I watched it.

After looking at it again, the Canon Logo is also reversed so that rules out the left handed camera thingy. I don't know why his video is reversed.

psycorpse wrote in post #8399486
After looking at it again, the Canon Logo is also reversed so that rules out the left handed camera thingy. I don't know why his video is reversed.

I was thinking that he aimed his camera into a mirror, while recording the video!

So basically, he's telling people to green box it. Well, almost.

Don't get me wrong, green box is not a bad thing. I just think it's a tiny bit disintellectual if you know what I mean. "Here, put everything on auto, let the camera do everything for you." *shrug*

So you push the "little Star" aheem; exposure lock button to get a setting? Hmmm I moved my focus on my 5D to the exposure lock button via C Fn3. I wonder if that will mess it up?

L A Mac wrote in post #8399699
So you push the "little Star" aheem; exposure lock button to get a setting? Hmmm I moved my focus on my 5D to the exposure lock button via C Fn3. I wonder if that will mess it up?

I did the same thing cause it focuses better in my book. It will just operate the autofocus and not the sample flash..if you set it back then the sample flash will work as he explains so no you didn't mess it up..I switch back and forth all the time.

I think he did shoot into a mirror and that is why it is backwards. I've done that many times, use the * button to get a FEL and then shoot the image..it works really well.

Great explanation about how to set the flash and camera, and I especially appreciated the breakdown of the different metering modes. Luckily I always keep mine on that exact mode!

I have never used the P setting shooting weddings, though.

joepineapple wrote in post #8400382
Great explanation about how to set the flash and camera, and I especially appreciated the breakdown of the different metering modes. Luckily I always keep mine on that exact mode!

I have never used the P setting shooting weddings, though.

Trouble is, I used that metering but when the white wedding dress or cake takes up almost the entire image, that metering mode reads all that white and cuts the flash off making the rest of the image underexposed..I even do a +1 or 2 FEC but it didn't matter, all that white cuts the flash off. So I was told to use a custom function on the camera and make the metering mode from ettl II to Average..I did that and it was still a little underexposed but it was better than evaluative which is what Gary says to use..and I was shooting in manual also.

I think he did a good job explaining the reason that many of us were getting underexposed shots with the combination of 5D-II and 580EX-II. Selecting the proper metering mode becomes even more important to those of us who focus and recompose.

Shooting,

Thanks for the link.

I am a newb. when it comes to off camera flash and been getting myself a little worked up over it, (probably why I have put this off for so long), What I get from this video is we are all beginners at some point so it's ok to go back to the basics of "P" mode or auto. Especially when trying to learn all the new mechanics of the flash, I'm sure in time I will get more comfortable with it and explore the settings, for now (as I wait for my flash unit to be delivered) I can take it slow and learn in 'P' and auto.... thanks Gary Fong