Actually, you won't find me waxing eloquent over Canon flash. At least
the digital kind because it doesn't work very well in TTL mode. The
film era TTL flash units did work well but they do not work on digitals
just as your T32 won't work on an E-thing in TTL mode.
But, just as the T-32 can still be used in manual or auto mode on any
camera so the Canon 540EZ (the last and greatest of the film TTL flash
units) can be used in manual mode on any camera. When used on a Canon
digital it can't shoot in TTL mode and it has no auto mode but it does
communicate with the camera and knows the aperture and ISO settings. It
has about the same power output as a T32, has a powered zoom head plus
tilt and swivel and also has (its best feature) 8 manual power level
settings. Although I rarely use direct flash, when the head is in the
direct flash position guide number calculation is automatic and the
flash informs you of the proper distance for the set ISO and aperture.
Finally, autofocus assist to 30 feet (10 meters) as Moose says is just
the norm for other Canon flash units. The 540EZ can reach to 15 meters.
With careful shopping it can be had for about $60 in KEH BGN
condition. I have found KEH prices to be lower than ebay. I think the
ebay prices are driven up by newbie digital users who don't understand
that it doesn't do TTL on a digital camera.
When shooing film with an OM I'm an aperture preferred type of guy
unless I'm shooting flash with a meter. I tried to carry that over to
using the 5D but have found that manual shooting is almost always best.
I generally set the aperture and then set the shutter speed by
metering from the sky or the scene. I usually end up with the same
exposure setting I'd get by using aperture preferred mode but I then
take a test shot, check the histogram and then, if required, adjust
either aperture or shutter speed depending on the situation and lighting
conditions.
I've come to dislike auto modes and the exposure adjustment dial since,
in most outdoor shooting situations, the reflected light meter is likely
to come up with yet another exposure measurement when the correct
exposure hasn't changed since the incident light hasn't changed. If the
incident light is fairly constant, once the exposure has been adjusted
via the histogram, there's no reason to worry about exposure again for
another hour or so unless it's early morning or late afternoon. But if
the light is changing rapidly I'll likely switch to aperture preferred.
Dr. Flash
Moose wrote:
> WayneS wrote:
>> ....
>>
>> With the 5D, the spot meter mode is tricky - I'm always forgetting I have to
>> spot and lock between shots, so invariably I screw up a few exposures.
> Been there, done that, don't use the spot.
>> In evaluative mode I have a hard time figuring out how the exposure was
>> determined, so I don't know how to compensate it. Perhaps the next shot the
>> camera picks slightly different focus points and the exposure changes. As I
>> review my photos I notice quite a variation from one exposure to the next of
>> the same exact scene, all depending on focus points.
>>
>
> For my use, multiple focus points are just a nuisance, anyway. I set
> the 5D to central point only and leave it there. Like Chuck, I think
> the histogram is close to the ultimate exposure tool. My default setting
> on the 5D is -2/3 EV, and I adjust from there when needed based on the
> histogram.
>
>> I just can't imagine how anyone today learning photography can really get a
>> sense of exposure without using manual mode.
>
> And yet, the instant feedback may help speed up the learning curve. I
> tend to learn by doing. Comparing film days later with notes of exposure
> settings isn't as useful a way to learn, for me, as shoot, look, shoot,
> look....
>
>> Even if you take a shot and review the histogram, the next shot is not
>> guaranteed to be the same, unless you lock the exposure.
>
> I'm not having much of that experience with the 5D.
>
>> It is just too easy to let the camera do it all, and let the extra dynamic
>> range and post processing take care of the rest.
>>
>
> I suppose I have to ask why. For me, photography is mostly about subject
> and composition. I've been happy to learn all the technical details and
> techniques of "the light game", but I'm also quite happy when the camera
> does a good job of that on its own, leaving me to the "important" - and
> fun - parts.
>
>
>> I just haven't figured out a way to control exposure with today's digitals
>> that doesn't require I take my ancient eyes from the viewfinder and try to
>> close focus on the display, or constantly fiddle with something.
>>
>
> -2/3 EV, evaluative metering, single, central focus point, work well for
> me for the vast majority of shots. In ordinary lighting, I don't even
> look at the LCD for most shots.
>
>> I will say that flash photography changes things. What I liked about the
>> OM-3t was the ability to set the speed for background lighting and let the
>> flash auto-expose. That is one thing the 3T had over the 4T, flash
>> photography and the easy ability to balance background exposure. And that my
>> 5D can do as well, when set to manual mode, the 5D works just like the 3T
>> with a flash attached.
>>
>
> I think you were away when Dr. Flash waxed eloquent about Canon flash.
> On his advice, I picked up a 540 EZ flash. It's an older model that
> won't do TTL with the DSLRs, so available cheap. It's the cat's meow as
> a manual flash with the 5D and includes the strongest IR focus assist
> light they've made. Focus in complete dark at 30 feet? No problem. It
> does do other communication with the camera, just not TTL. For details
> of the flash, check out Chuck's informative posts on the subject, here
> <http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/EOS-1n/Flash/Canon_540EZ/index.htm>
>
> and here. <http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index.html>
>
> These were all shot in a dark church from something like 30 feet with
> that combo.
> <http://galleries.moosemystic.net/MooseFoto/index.php?gallery=JuliaGrad/1-Grad>
>
> I don't like using flash, but if I have to, this is a great tool.
>
> Moose
>
> ==============================================
> List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
> List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
> ==============================================
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.4/1753 - Release Date: 10/28/2008
> 9:20 PM
>
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|