External flashes

[Nissan_Rogue_Squad]

now I don't know exactly what you'll be photographing while you're there, but I didn't use my external flash more than maybe 6 times during my last trip. But I should also let you know that I did bring a second camera pocket sized with a flash built in and I used that for a lot of other photos and used that flash for all in door photos. I used my SLR for the out door photos and like I said, I didn't use my flash very much.

So i guess if you're not going to plan on taking many indoor photos, I wouldn't worry as much. I will though, mention that it was nice to have a smaller camera along for those quick photo's that I didn't want to take the SLR out of the bag for.

HTH
Jason

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks Jason! Most of my photos are taken outdoors and then we have a tripod for night shots. I'll probably try experimenting with the camera in lower light situations to see what happens. I think AKL and the California Grill were some of the only two places I remember having to use my flash indoors. I'll have my camera phone with me anyway... Definitely not the same but the less stuff to carry around, the better

 

[handicap18]

The only time I used my flash was at the character meals. We did 4 character meals on our last trip.

 

[Alztybrn]

Hello all...just yesterday I received my first external flash in the mail. I got a 430 EX for my Canon 30D.

I have been shooting with the camera for over a year, and have a very good understanding of how to achieve proper exposure. My problems comes now that I add the flash. Does anybody have any good tutorials/sites I can check out in regards to getting started? I know that external flashes are a different beast all together,and I have no idea where to start.

One of my biggest questions is how does the external flash affect my exposure settings on my camera? Do I set up the camera for what settings I need without the flash? Or do I need to use some sort of exposure compensation to adjust for the flash? Does that make sense?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[MICKEY88]

Hello all...just yesterday I received my first external flash in the mail. I got a 430 EX for my Canon 30D.

I have been shooting with the camera for over a year, and have a very good understanding of how to achieve proper exposure. My problems comes now that I add the flash. Does anybody have any good tutorials/sites I can check out in regards to getting started? I know that external flashes are a different beast all together,and I have no idea where to start.

One of my biggest questions is how does the external flash affect my exposure settings on my camera? Do I set up the camera for what settings I need without the flash? Or do I need to use some sort of exposure compensation to adjust for the flash? Does that make sense?

Any help is appreciated!

unfortunately there is no simple answer to that, it all depends on the lighting conditions, and the result you want

 

[Furgus]

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

Best source of how to use an external flash on the net. I learned a lot from many hours on this site.

 

[Alztybrn]

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

Best source of how to use an external flash on the net. I learned a lot from many hours on this site.

Thanks Furgus...I have heard of that site, but always thought it was more along the lines of studio lighting...

I will definitely check it out!

 

[jfinke]

The Canon Flash Bible:

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

Lots o information. It has taken me several times reading it to get a grasp.

 

[jbuckent]

I chose the S5 over the S3 because of the hotshoe and here I am a year later without a flash. Can anyone suggest a flash for me?

 

[bob100]

I chose the S5 over the S3 because of the hotshoe and here I am a year later without a flash. Can anyone suggest a flash for me?

there are external flashes that work the S5, Canon models and other brands,
do a search or ask on these sites -

www.s5users.com/forum
www.flickr.com/groups/canonpowershots5is

 

[Frantasmic]

Just about any flash will be better than "just" the onboard one. I have a rather inexpensive external flash, Phoenix I think. It suits my purposes, but I'm not doing much with my photography.

It is adjustable as to flash output, syncs to 1/250, and it tilts so you can bounce the flash if desired. It was about half the cost of the Canon brand.

 

[tekoa]

I have an old Canon speedlight that I used in the 70's and 80's with my 35 MM
Canon AT-1. Would this be a flash that could be used with my Canon XTi?
I was going to try it, but I did not want to ruin my camera. Thank you to all of the experts on this board.

 

[MICKEY88]

I have an old Canon speedlight that I used in the 70's and 80's with my 35 MM
Canon AT-1. Would this be a flash that could be used with my Canon XTi?
I was going to try it, but I did not want to ruin my camera. Thank you to all of the experts on this board.

most likely not, but I would check your cameras manual for a list of compatible flashes, or wait for one of our canon experts to answer

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I have an old Canon speedlight that I used in the 70's and 80's with my 35 MM
Canon AT-1. Would this be a flash that could be used with my Canon XTi?
I was going to try it, but I did not want to ruin my camera. Thank you to all of the experts on this board.

I investigated this a few months back, because I wanted to use my Speedlight 300TL (bought for use with my T90) with my new G9. Through Google, I found a discussion forum on flash guns but I didn't note the link.

I found out two things :-

The reflective index of film is different from that of the sensor in a digital camera, so the flash gun will never expose correctly in TTL mode.

A film flash gun could be used in manual mode, or with the flash gun's built in sensor, provided the trigger voltage is OK. As I don't know what the trigger voltages of my 300TL and G9 are and I didn't want to risk frying either or both of them, I am making do with the built in flash on the G9 until I see what Santa brings me!!!

Andrew

 

[tekoa]

Thanks for the reply Andrew. I kind of thought it would not work, but I wanted confirmation. I too shall wait for Santa's sleigh.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The reflective index of film is different from that of the sensor in a digital camera, so the flash gun will never expose correctly in TTL mode.

I'm not really sure what this means. I will say that no one makes different flashes for film and digital cameras. I used my Canon 420EX with my Rebel (film), Elan (film), and all of my DSLRs.

When Canon changed to the EF lens mount, they made a lot of other changes as well. Essentially, it was a completely new system. I flash as old as yours may not work because of the trigger voltage differences. It also won't take advantage of E-TTL for setting proper exposure. I'd pitch it and buy something like the 430EX, 580EX II, or a third party knock off.

 

[BorisMD]

Hi all,

I finally caved and bought an external flash, and it's a really great improvement over the built in flash. I really always liked to try to do existing light stuff, but when I did need a flash, the pop up was disastrous. Now my photos inside are much nicer.

So, my question, is whether it's worth it to bring a flash to WDW. I'm trying to think of situations where I would use it. If it really isn't going to help me out, I'd just as soon save the weight of packing it.

Thanks,

Boris

 

[gruZ]

I almost always bring a flash to WDW, and usually use it most of the time. The ability to expose for the background and fill the foreground (and often subject) with the flash greatly enhances my pictures.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have!

 

[BorisMD]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the advice. I had a look at your gallery -- nice stuff, and nice personal bio. One problem/question -- I couldn't see the EXIF data for your shots. I was hoping to see which ones included the flash.

Also, how'd you make those panoramics?

Your shots of the Beach Club Villas make me so ready to go back "home".

Regards,

Boris

 

[gruZ]

Hey Boris,

Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. Despite me earlier post, most of those pictures were not using flash. When family is in the shot, I use the flash most of the time. I'll expose for the background, then focus on the subject. Usually I will need to use the camera / flash high speed sync feature.

I'm sure people wonder why I'm using an external flash in bright sunlight - they probably wonder why the Dis Photopass people do it too!

The panos were done in Photoshop CS3. If you have it, highlight the pictures you want to use in Bridge, then choose Tools --> Photoshop --> Photomerge. CS3 does most of the panorama stuff automatically, and usually the divisions between pictures are completely invisible. It's a very well done feature of CS3.

Thanks,

Scott