New to flash photography
Jun 21, 2018 19:44:40 #
I purchased a speedlight for my Canon 80D. I have it set on ETTL and have had various experiences. Some times it flashes then long delay and shutter clicks. Sometimes flash and shutter are in sync.
I tried switching to [auto] to see if that was better. Still very inconsistent. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks as always,
Jim
I tried switching to [auto] to see if that was better. Still very inconsistent. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks as always,
Jim
Jun 21, 2018 21:08:47 #
junglejim1949 wrote:
I purchased a speedlight for my Canon 80D. I have it set on ETTL and have had various experiences. Some times it flashes then long delay and shutter clicks. Sometimes flash and shutter are in sync.
I tried switching to [auto] to see if that was better. Still very inconsistent. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks as always,
Jim
I tried switching to [auto] to see if that was better. Still very inconsistent. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks as always,
Jim
Hmmm, not sure what you might be experiencing.
Are you in low light? Maybe the camera is not aquiring a focus lock and not shooting till it does.
Maybe you have the focus assist beam off and it can’t focus.
Maybe it’s possessed? LoL
Tell us which flash and the conditions you’re shooting in, might help!
SS
Jun 21, 2018 21:15:11 #
I was shooting in a railroad roundhouse. Natural light from back of the building.
I am using a Canon 430 EX-III th flash.
I am using a Canon 430 EX-III th flash.
Jun 21, 2018 23:33:37 #
I realize going in that this is an utterly ridiculous question but is there a chance you're accidentally activating the timer for some of them?
Jun 22, 2018 00:51:19 #
I did not touch timer. I double checked and the flash was [on]. The only thing I changed was to change mode from [AV] to [A].
Poltergeist???
Poltergeist???
Jun 22, 2018 05:56:39 #
Jun 22, 2018 06:55:58 #
I had it charging the night before, so it had full charge. I also checked connection to hot shoe; it was tight and locked. What was strange to me was that it was inconsistant. Sometimes a long pause, other times fired right away.
Jun 22, 2018 07:41:03 #
Jun 22, 2018 07:48:46 #
Jun 22, 2018 08:20:49 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
camerapapi wrote:
Perhaps it is time to give Canon a call.
I was going to suggest "read the manual" but then I remembered the manuals for flashes are not very good.
Jun 22, 2018 08:24:46 #
I did read the manual but it really didn't address my issue. I think I will see what Canon has to say. Thanks for all the help.
Jun 22, 2018 08:26:54 #
sueyeisert
Loc: New Jersey
What is your shutter set to? If it’s on an auto setting then it’s moving around. Set it to the sync speed.
Jun 22, 2018 09:20:20 #
Jun 22, 2018 09:40:12 #
I am going to bet that when you are in Auto mode all is (more or less) well, but in Av mode things are inconsistent. Check out pages 227-254 of the eos80d-im3-en.pdf instruction manual (NOT the basic instruction manual.) Especially page 228, bottom blue box, and page 236. It is hard to tell, but it sounds like this is your issue: in Av mode, the flash acts as a fill flash (by default). There are menu changes that can alter this behavior--described in the cited pages.
When using a flash in general, aperture controls flash exposure, and shutter speed controls ambient light exposure. What is probably happening to you is that in Av mode, you have already set the aperture directly, but the camera meter is setting the SS so that the ambient light properly exposes the scene. This will result in longer shutter openings than you might expect if what you are interested in is mainly being illuminated by the flash.
Also this article may have more information for you:
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/flash/fill_in_flash.do
When using a flash in general, aperture controls flash exposure, and shutter speed controls ambient light exposure. What is probably happening to you is that in Av mode, you have already set the aperture directly, but the camera meter is setting the SS so that the ambient light properly exposes the scene. This will result in longer shutter openings than you might expect if what you are interested in is mainly being illuminated by the flash.
Also this article may have more information for you:
http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/infobank/flash/fill_in_flash.do
Jun 22, 2018 10:00:20 #
junglejim1949 wrote:
I did not touch timer. I double checked and the flash was [on]. The only thing I changed was to change mode from [AV] to [A].
Poltergeist???
Poltergeist???
It sounds as though the camera settings may be the problem. In A mode you can't control how the camera decides to control the exposure, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, or flash. In other modes you normally can set the flash to activate.
I've generally found Canon camera and flash manuals to be pretty good, but if you want to get into flash I would recommend Syl Arena's Speedliter's Handbook. It's getting rare and expensive, but the first edition is around at reasonable prices. I wouldn't part with mine for anything, and it covers a lot general photography also.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/032171105X/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all
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