550EX flash help needed. - DPChallenge Forums

06/25/2007 08:20:42 PM · #1

Okay, I've had this flash for over a year and still can't figure it out.

I usually end up with either very dark or most often very blown out flash shots using it. I just don't know how to use it.

I have the Canon 10D and I usually shoot in manual. I'll probably use the Tamron 28-80 mostly in this situation. I am going to be taking some photos in a large multipurpose room this week and would like to use the flash to speed up the shutter.

If someone has the time to give me a very dumbed down version of how I should set my flash and perhaps a little bit of the why, it would really help me. I don't know much of the terminology used or what the icons are on the screen or switches. I have read the manual, but because I really don't understand it, I can't apply it, so I don't really retain the information for each item - if that makes sense.

Thanks very much in advance for any help.

06/25/2007 08:46:26 PM · #2

I will also be sitting here at the computer for a little while if someone wants try and explain things via an instant messenger chat. My user name is mamapo506.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/25/2007 09:55:47 PM · #3

is that a yahoo messenger chat name?

loriprophoto

Canon EOS-20D

06/25/2007 09:57:38 PM · #4

I had one when I first purchased my D30 6 odd years ago and I hated it. It was totally unreliable. There are many forums online about this flash, some positive some negative but if I have to have a degree to operate it then I am not interested. I got rid of it as quick as I could and bought a Metz CT60-4 without the automatic adaptor and use it in manual mode.

There are also discussions on here about it, if you search the archives you may find them.

06/25/2007 10:00:05 PM · #5

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

is that a yahoo messenger chat name?

It's an AIM (aol) messenger name

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/25/2007 10:02:34 PM · #6

I don't use AIM.

I guess the best place to start is to take a look at an unedited photograph and see what has gone wrong. The Canon EX series flash units are quite intelligent, and the only time I have ever had under or over exposure issues is when I have failed to work within the capabilities of the flash... If you have the flash in automatic mode, it does the metering for you and won't cause problems.... got an example we can look at?

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

06/25/2007 10:07:34 PM · #7

Flash Photography with Canon EOS Cameras - Long but well worth reading if you want to understand that flash and other Canon flashes.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/25/2007 10:10:41 PM · #8

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

...
I guess the best place to start is to take a look at an unedited photograph and see what has gone wrong. The Canon EX series flash units are quite intelligent, and the only time I have ever had under or over exposure issues is when I have failed to work within the capabilities of the flash... If you have the flash in automatic mode, it does the metering for you and won't cause problems.... got an example we can look at?

Ditto.

The EX series Flash units are really easy to use, set it in Auto mode and off you go...you can dial down or up the exposure by using the FEC either on the camera or on the Flash unit itself. The one thing you have to be careful about when shooting your Camera in M mode or Av mode is to NOT go above your Sync speed, the 10D has a Sync speed of 1/250 if I'm not mistaken, so if you are shooting in M mode and your shutter speed is faster than 1/250 then you'll have problems. You can avoid that by turning on the High Speed sync on the flash head or reducing your shutter speed to 1/250 or less.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/25/2007 10:24:43 PM · #9

I've been looking for a particular series of shots that would show a good example of what I mean, but apparently I've deleted them

You say "set in in Auto and off you go" ...well, how exactly do I set it to auto? I'm serious. I have no idea what an FEC is either.

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

06/25/2007 10:31:08 PM · #10

FEC = Flash Exposure Compensation

It's controlled by the top right button above the top LCD.

06/25/2007 10:41:45 PM · #11

Originally posted by jpochard:

Use the default setup as the flash was configured when you took it out of the box... Don't touch any of the buttons on the back :)

06/25/2007 10:43:55 PM · #12

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

FEC = Flash Exposure Compensation

It's controlled by the top right button above the top LCD.

So if I push that button on the camera (I don't see anything on the flash?) and have what looks like an exposure scale that shows set in the middle or at "0" then that means the flash should be fairly even...not over or under exposed? I hope I"m making sense!

With the camera set on that, does it matter how I have the flash set?

06/25/2007 10:44:14 PM · #13

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by jpochard:
I've been looking for a particular series of shots that would show a good example of what I mean, but apparently I've deleted them

You say "set in in Auto and off you go" ...well, how exactly do I set it to auto? I'm serious. I have no idea what an FEC is either.

Use the default setup as the flash was configured when you took it out of the box... Don't touch any of the buttons on the back :)

Too late :)

06/25/2007 10:45:07 PM · #14

Originally posted by jpochard:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by jpochard:
I've been looking for a particular series of shots that would show a good example of what I mean, but apparently I've deleted them

You say "set in in Auto and off you go" ...well, how exactly do I set it to auto? I'm serious. I have no idea what an FEC is either.

Use the default setup as the flash was configured when you took it out of the box... Don't touch any of the buttons on the back :)

Too late :)

That will probably explain the problem then :)

06/25/2007 10:45:30 PM · #15

I think I'll need to experiment a lot tomorrow and just try some things and see what the results are.