Flash, Manual Mode, Lens in af

[Ollokot]

Hi Folks,
I have been doing some experimenting using the flash in ettl, the camera in manual, and the lens in af and was wondering if any harm could come to the lens or its motor. The camera is a canon 50D, Lens 24-105 and the 580x 11.
Best Wishes, Pat.

[Jim B.]

Hi Pat,

Won't hurt the lens at all.

[Andrew1]

That's the best way to use it Pat. You control the camera and let the electronics and programming handle the trickier light factors.

[Ollokot]

Thanks Jim, Andrew, that eases the mind,
Best Wishes, Pat

[Geoff F]

That is the way I always use flash, Pat, except for insects when I usually prefer to manually focus.

When I first switched to a 'thinking flash' from my old fixed output flash, from film camera days, I couldn't get much success. Then I started manually setting up my camera to suit the scene (with a few limitations for flash use) and letting the flash unit auto adjust, plus or minus a little flash output compensation.

And suddenly, I started getting the results I required.