Speedlite 580EX - flash underexposure problem

[kookeer]

First of all, I have information overload by spending my morning reading threads. I don't understand alot of the information and I have the same problem with the tutorials. I will keep plugging along.
My question is: I need to take indoor pictures of a house and would like to use my 18/55 lenses for wider shots. I have taken 15 shots in my house this morning trying different settings and they all are too dark. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I know someone in this community can help me.
Thank you.
kookeer

[Colin Southern]

Hi Kookeer,

They say that "a picture paints a thousand words" - perhaps you could save us that many by posting a picture of a typical image that has the problem?

Bottom line is that if the pictures are too dark then not enough light is hitting the sensor - trick is to work out why. Some possibilities ...

- ISO set too low?

- Aperture stopped down too much?

- Insufficient output from the flash

- Flash set to wrong angle or pointing in the wrong direction.

Hopefully we can tell more if you can post an image and tell us a little more as to how your camera & flash were setup

[kookeer]

OK, by the way, I have a Canon 20D. I have used P, AV, TV, and M. The image I am waiting on to download was manual at "6/20.



kookeer

[Colin Southern]

OK - thanks for that

It's not looking too bad. Problem is, the poor camera doesn't really know if you want the flash to light up the room or just provide a bit of a "fill in". First thing I would try is dialing in some FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) - you can dial in up to 2 stops from the camera, or up to 3 stops directly from the flash.

Also, where the flash is pointing is important - try pointing it upwards, or if you're really keen, think of investing in a Gary Fong Lightsphere.

Does this help? (just get back to me if I'm talking too fast!)

[Colin Southern]

PS: If you can, do a test for me. Set the camera to manual - 1/250th of a second, ISO 400, Aperture as wide open as it'll go (F3.5?) - point the flash directly up - and take a shot.

[kookeer]

Done.
http://backup.cambridgeincolour.com/...g0343small.jpg

[Colin O'Regan]

(Laughing)....Amazing call Colin. Wow!

Great post Kookeer. More people than you know just learned something.

Colin

[kookeer]

Thank you Colin(s)

Kookeer

[Colin Southern]

(Laughing)....Amazing call Colin. Wow!

Great post Kookeer. More people than you know just learned something.

Nah - I just happen to know Canon EOS flash systems pretty well

[Colin Southern]

Thank you Colin(s)

Kookeer

No worries. She's looking a bit "over-cooked" now - so just reduce your aperture, ISO or FEC by a stop or two and you should be pretty close (note that changing your shutter-speed won't have any effect on the flash - only the ambient light).