50mm f1.4 with Fill Flash - How to Do It?

05/13/2008 09:33:09 PM · #1

Hi everyone,

Today, I was shooting a portrait of a 4 year old. It was bright and sunny out, and I really wanted to use my 50mm 1.4 on her, but I needed fill flash to help fill in the shadows. I am not an expert in Flash photography, but I know that 1/250th shutter does NOT allow a 1.4 f-stop. I put on my ND filter, stopping down by 2, but that only put me at f8 at best, with a 100 ISO. How would you all go about this?

05/13/2008 09:36:04 PM · #2

I tried manual, but the girl was unable to keep still, so I wanted to use Av instead of M, which didn't allow me below f8. Hmmm.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/13/2008 09:38:27 PM · #3

Put the flash in "High Speed Sync" mode and then you can run your shutter up as high as you need. Only trouble is... distance will be limited, recycle times will go up, and batteries will run down quicker. (it works by slowing down the flash, by keeping the flash going longer)

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

05/13/2008 10:35:41 PM · #4

What David said and if you are using a 580ex it should tell you on the lcd of the flash the effective distance of the flash with the current settings you have.

05/14/2008 04:32:34 AM · #5

I know so little about my flash. I leave it in ETTL mode on Master normally. I really need to master my flash work. I am using it more and more these days. I used to hate to use flash, but I am finding it pretty necessary lately. I'll try out High Speed Sync and see if I can learn the ins and outs of that! Thanks so much!!!

Arie :)

gloda

05/14/2008 06:31:14 AM · #6

This article on high speed sync may help you:
//strobist.blogspot.com/2008/01/control-your-world-with-ultra-high-sync.html

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

05/14/2008 08:47:02 AM · #7

You could consider using a reflector as well.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/14/2008 04:18:21 PM · #8

Thanks for the article!! As for a reflector, the girl wouldn't stay still long enough for me to set it up and hold it in place. I wasn't using a tripod or reflector arm. There was no time to set up. She was just spinning around, jumping up and down, moving all over the place. She is 4, and we were in a local park (gardens area). :)

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

05/14/2008 04:52:37 PM · #9

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

I leave it in ETTL mode on Master normally.

I am not strong on eTTL but I think your 580 should be off if a single flash not on master.... not sure it makes a difference in this case. You high speed button would do it.... as long as it still had enough power as HS reduces the output a fair bit as David mentioned. That strobist article is not going to help with a Canon 40D.... you are stuck at max sync unless you use the HS flash mode to get higher.

gloda

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

05/14/2008 05:32:27 PM · #10

@ robs: good point about the Master mode! Having it on master might indeed take a little bit of power away from the total possible output, which is important in HS as you'll often be competing with the sun.
Concerning the article, I think it's helpful in as far as it explains how HS flash works technically, and by showing that there are cameras that cope with higher sync speeds.

MattO

Nikon D4

05/14/2008 06:04:18 PM · #11

As stated before it can be done and effectively. ALthough I have to tell you if you can hit 1.4 with a moving child your damn good with a camera. These were taken at F2.2, ISO 50, AV mode and fill flash used, have to use HSS on the flash and dial it up or down to what you need. This was in the shade but at 2-3pm in the afternoon on a very bright and sunny day. Even 2.2 wasnt deep enough at times, I wouldnt even attempt 1.4.

Matt