Am I doing something wrong? TTL flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

05/14/2008 12:52:39 PM · #1

When I am shooting in Av (my favorite choice) and want some fill-in flash, I pop the flash up or put on my external flash hoping that TTL will do its job. Everytime I get a wayyy over exposed picture. Isn't TTL supposed to be smart and figure out the flash duration for you? I find myself always going back to the "M" mode to be able to get a proper exposure. It would be nice to let the camera do some of the lifting.

Is there something that I am missing? What am I doing wrong? I know that it is not the flash because I have tried several ones. It is not the camera either, because I was having the same problem with my Rebel XT and now my 30D.

kashi

Nikon D60

05/14/2008 01:08:37 PM · #2

You should be able to 'dial down' the amount of flash used.

Promaster 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR IF

05/14/2008 01:40:29 PM · #3

I know that, but I thought that TTL would do a much better job with minimal interaction from me. When I read my camera or flash manual it says that TTL would take care of it all. Not likely...

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

05/14/2008 01:53:31 PM · #4

If you have not got 'FP' mode set on your external flash, the shutter speed will be pegged at the camera's X-sync speed (probably 1/250). With safety shift enabled (if your camera has it), the dialled-in aperture will be altered to suit, even in Av mode. If it is not enabled, the combination of a relatively slow shutter speed and a relatively wide aperture will lead to this overexposure. I would suggest setting 'FP' mode on your external flash and everything should be OK.

atupdate

Pentax K-R

05/14/2008 02:01:52 PM · #5

Here is a great website on fill flash you might want to take a look at.

Planet Neil

Tim

05/14/2008 02:31:06 PM · #6

What flash are you using on the camera? And are you set to ETTL? is your flash ETTL compatible with your camera? Do you have FEC dialed up or down on the camera or on the flash?

Matt

05/14/2008 03:04:16 PM · #7

Originally posted by MattO:

What flash are you using on the camera? And are you set to ETTL? is your flash ETTL compatible with your camera? Do you have FEC dialed up or down on the camera or on the flash?

Matt

Canon 30D with Canon 430ex. All settings at 0.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/14/2008 03:18:03 PM · #8

When you have the camera on and the flash mounted and on, does it show ettl on the back of the flash?(I'm assuming the 430EX does have a back panel)

Matt

drewbixcube

Canon EOS-7D

05/14/2008 03:26:01 PM · #9

Maybe check your metering mode.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

05/14/2008 04:48:49 PM · #10

If you're outdoors, then it sounds to me like you've hit the flash sync speed. The shutter speed is so low (for the ISO and aperture that you are using) that you're overexposing the image. Put your flash into high speed sync mode in order to allow the shutter speed to go higher.

05/14/2008 05:57:43 PM · #11

Originally posted by dwterry:

Thats a good point and not something I had thought of. I assumed the shots were taken indoors.

Matt

05/15/2008 01:58:40 PM · #12

Yes, it displays ETTL. The shots come out like that either in or outdoors.