Canon 550EX help needed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/25/2006 12:00:29 PM · #1

I have read through the manual for this thing, and I'm still not sure what I'm doing with it at all.

Mainly, I'm trying to set up the flash for fill flash for outdoor portraits? Can someone guide me through what I need to do with the flash to obtain this setting? I would appreciate any help.

Judy

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/25/2006 12:06:39 PM · #2

I simply set the power to -2/3 and let the flash/camera do the rest.

To set the power, just press the SEL/SET button then press the - button as many times as you need.

Dead simple really.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6400

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 (E-mount)

07/25/2006 12:17:05 PM · #3

It's probably even easier to set it on the camera. In most cases where I'm using mine for outdoor daylight fill flash, I use it on standard power and dont' dial it down any. Try that first.

07/25/2006 12:17:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by Falc:

I simply set the power to -2/3 and let the flash/camera do the rest.

To set the power, just press the SEL/SET button then press the - button as many times as you need.

Dead simple really.

Of course it's dead simple...that's why I obviously can't do it! :)

I pushed the SEL/SET button and pressed the - button. All I got was a flashing bar that said "CH." and some numbers. I tried holding down the SEL/SET while hitting the - and also tried just pushing one and then the other. I don't see anything that remotely resembles -2/3.

07/25/2006 12:18:13 PM · #5

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

It's probably even easier to set it on the camera. In most cases where I'm using mine for outdoor daylight fill flash, I use it on standard power and dont' dial it down any. Try that first.

How would I set it on the 10D....Is it a menu setting? I'll look as well, but figured it can't hurt to ask.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/25/2006 12:24:05 PM · #6

On the 10D Custom Functions menu there is an option to enable "auto reduction of fill flash" Is that what I want?

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/25/2006 12:26:05 PM · #7

Originally posted by jpochard:

Originally posted by Falc:
I simply set the power to -2/3 and let the flash/camera do the rest.

To set the power, just press the SEL/SET button then press the - button as many times as you need.

Dead simple really.

Of course it's dead simple...that's why I obviously can't do it! :)

I pushed the SEL/SET button and pressed the - button. All I got was a flashing bar that said "CH." and some numbers. I tried holding down the SEL/SET while hitting the - and also tried just pushing one and then the other. I don't see anything that remotely resembles -2/3.

I just grabbed mine and turned it on, then pressed the SEL/SET button once. The +0 started to blink, so I pressed the - button and the +0 turned into -1/3. Pressed the - button again and the -1/3 turned to -2/3

No need to hold the SEL button down.

It sounds as though you have pressed the MODE button and changed the channel it uses to sync with a slave. Make sure it says ETTL in the top left corner. If not keep pressing the MODE button until it does.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/25/2006 12:26:31 PM · #8

Originally posted by jpochard:

On the 10D Custom Functions menu there is an option to enable "auto reduction of fill flash" Is that what I want?

That's one way, yes. That's automatic though. You also have built-in flash exposure compensation. Where it is on the 10D menu I'm not sure, but on the 20D I have a button for it right on top.

R.

Edit to add; setz found it :-)

Message edited by author 2006-07-25 12:27:33.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6400

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 (E-mount)

07/25/2006 12:26:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by jpochard:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
It's probably even easier to set it on the camera. In most cases where I'm using mine for outdoor daylight fill flash, I use it on standard power and dont' dial it down any. Try that first.

How would I set it on the 10D....Is it a menu setting? I'll look as well, but figured it can't hurt to ask.

There is a button on top of the camera... the one with the little flash icon on it... press that button and spin the wheel on the back of the cam to adjust the flash exposure compensation.

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

07/25/2006 12:37:46 PM · #10

Okay...so if I look at the exposure without pushing the icon button it will give me the regular exposure results for my settings...but pushing the icon button first (with the icon displayed in the viewfinder) tells me what the exposure will be taking the flash into consideration? That's what I understand it to mean.

Is this exposure compensation based on whatever settings I actually have set on my flash?

I have NO idea yet what I'm doing with the flash...what settings to keep it on etc. Every time I push a button I get several different things flashing. I will figure it out eventually.

I am taking some outside portraits this evening and I think we're going to end up with some pretty contrasty sun / lighting and/or shade.

Bear_Music

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/25/2006 12:42:01 PM · #11

Using fill flash ought not change the exposure at all; it's just adding some fill light to the equation...

R.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/25/2006 12:44:16 PM · #12

Here is what my flash display currently looks like.

Anything I should change?

Edit: Sorry it's so blurry...quick shot with the wrong lens.

Message edited by author 2006-07-25 12:45:09.

Canon EOS-20D

07/25/2006 12:45:04 PM · #13

Originally posted by jpochard:

Anything I should change?

It's a little blurry. ;)

Message edited by author 2006-07-25 12:46:22.

07/25/2006 12:49:04 PM · #14

Originally posted by mk:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Anything I should change?

It's a little blurry. ;)

:) That's okay...I'm a little blurry today too.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/25/2006 12:49:46 PM · #15

Oh...and I forgot to add that the flash head icon keeps flashing.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

07/25/2006 02:27:22 PM · #16

The 550EX does a lot of other stuff too. If you don't have a user manual, you can download it (in PDF format) at:

//www3.canon.de/pro/bda/fot/bli/

It's a 6.07 MB download. I don't know why it's not available on Canon's US site. I think they're just kind of stupid. :D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/25/2006 02:39:20 PM · #17

Originally posted by micknewton:

Thanks. I do have the manual...I just find it confusing. I'm a very fast learner with hands on - not so fast through reading.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

07/25/2006 02:50:21 PM · #18

Originally posted by jpochard:

Thanks. I do have the manual...I just find it confusing. I'm a very fast learner with hands on - not so fast through reading.

Don't feel too bad Judy. I have the manual too, and I've read it cover-to-cover several times, and I still have to get it out and re-read it every time I want to use my flash. :D

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/25/2006 02:52:23 PM · #19

Originally posted by micknewton:

Originally posted by jpochard:
Thanks. I do have the manual...I just find it confusing. I'm a very fast learner with hands on - not so fast through reading.

Don't feel too bad Judy. I have the manual too, and I've read it cover-to-cover several times, and I still have to get it out and re-read it every time I want to use my flash. :D

Same here, almost. I so seldom use the advanced features that I have to thumb the manual to recheck how to access them. I do my flash exposure compensation off the camera's interface, it's simpler for me. Bears like things simple, see...

R.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/25/2006 02:59:47 PM · #20

Thanks guys :)

So do the settings that show look okay for outdoor portraits (assuming using the on camera settings for the fill flash)? Why does the flash head icon keep flashing?

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

07/25/2006 03:06:46 PM · #21

Originally posted by jpochard:

Thanks guys :)

So do the settings that show look okay for outdoor portraits (assuming using the on camera settings for the fill flash)? Why does the flash head icon keep flashing?

I'm at the office right now, so I don't have my manual handy.

I think something flashes when the flash-head is tilted all the way down, or when the diffuser panel is in use.

Are you doing either of these?