Speedlite question.

pepper44pepper44 Registered Users Posts: 170 Major grins
edited February 6, 2008 in Accessories
I've recently started using my camera fully in manual mode. I'm having so much fun with it! The only thing I cannot figure out is my Speedlite--I can't figure out how to get it to sync with the shutter speed. It's driving me insane. I know there must be something obvious I'm missing, but I don't know what it is. To be honest, I don't know how to use all the settings on the flash. I have a Digital Rebel XT and I've learned how to use everything manually on it and get good results with natural lighting, but I am having a hard time learning all the in's and out's of the flash.

When I have the camera in manual mode the flash fires, but the shutter speed is still slow. I don't understand how to meter for the exposure and include the flash.

Tips would be great! Sorry if this is a stupid question.
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Comments

  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    What kind of camera do you have?

    Most cameras have a maximum sync speed and if your shutter speed goes higher than that. It will appear that your strobe is not in sync.
  • urbanariesurbanaries Registered Users Posts: 2,690 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    SloYerRoll wrote:
    What kind of camera do you have?

    Most cameras have a maximum sync speed and if your shutter speed goes higher than that. It will appear that your strobe is not in sync.

    You may have a sync issue...or it may be working properly.

    If you're in manual mode, your camera will meter and expose for the ambient background scene as if the speedlite wasn't there (say, a 1 second exposure). Thus the long shutter speed, if you're shooting in low light situation. The speedlite meters for your subject (dictated by the focus point; usually at 1/60 or 1/250), and this combination is called slow sync. I see you're using a Rebel, so I'm assuming your speedlite is in the Canon system, where the camera's mode (Full Auto, P, Av, Tv, or M) makes all the difference in how exposure and flash work together.

    I highly recommend this DVD, it's incredibly useful and worth its weight in gold for understanding these concepts.

    (If it's not slow sync....then strike my statement from the record :D )
    Canon 5D MkI
    50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 24-70 2.8L, 35mm 1.4L, 135mm f2L
    ST-E2 Transmitter + (3) 580 EXII + radio poppers
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    The question isn't whether the shutter speed is "slow" or not. If you're shooting in manual mode, the shutter speed will be whatever you set it to. The question is whether the exposure is correct. Your flash's ttl mode should take care of that. I'd suggest you dive into your flash's owner's manual and get aquainted.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    Ummm . . . do you have a separate flash, or are you using the pop-up? If you're using the pop-up, the info will be in the camera's OM.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    urbanaries wrote:
    If you're in manual mode, your camera will meter and expose for the background scene as if the speedlite wasn't there (say, a 1 second exposure). quote]

    This might be a bit of a cornfusing statement to the OP. If he's in manual mode, the camera won't expose for anything.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • gryphonslair99gryphonslair99 Registered Users Posts: 182 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    Everything you will ever want to know about using an EOS flash.

    http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2008
    I can only speak to my 5D here. I believe the other models work the same way.

    The 5D will not allow you to manually set a shutter speed higher than 1/200, (the cameras max sync speed), using the normal ETTl setting.

    You can however activate the High-Speed Sync on your speedlite, and then set your shutter to whatever speed you want. Note: Using this feature will reduce the available power output. The higher the shutter speed the less output you will have.

    It's all in the manual. :D

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
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