Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/13/2007
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So, now that you're here, what are your questions, Martin?
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Paul,
I'm used to totally manual cameras such as the Pentax K1000, Nikon FE and FE2, until I went digital. So with that said I still use my Canon 20D the same way, with full manual mode. My Bees along with my Seconic L358 meter, everything works great, but with the 580EX I get mixed results.
I still use the camera in manual mode, but on the 580EX I set it to full auto mode TTL... Is this wrong?
Martin
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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No, that's fine, Martin.
You now have the Flash EV settings on the 20D wheel. You can point the head anywhere you want, but the infrared target needs to hit your subject.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Paul,
Ok, what I do next is focus the center sensor on my subject where I want it by half way pressing the shutter button, then I keep it half way depressed, while I press the little * button on the back of the camera at the same time, recompose then fire?
Is that right?
Martin
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Hmmm. It's not necessary to pre-fire the flash in that manner.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Hmmm, the guy at the camera store said to do that? I really don't like that guy anyways... I thought the * pre-fire button was to meter and lock the exposure, while a speedlite was attached. Althougth without using a flash, pressing it locks the exposure and focus, right?
Martin
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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The 580EX in E TTL (auto) mode ALREADY fires a test shot, immediately before the real flash exposure is made. It happens so fast you're not noticing, but is why you cannot slave-fire your AB's with the 580. They will all go off with the first (Test) flash, and won't be ready a fraction of a second later.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Paul,
I didn't know it did it automatically. Cool. I have never used the 580EX with the Bees so that has never been a concern. I need a couple of tips regarding a wedding shoot this weekend. The last one I did sucked IMHO. Everyone else loved them, except me... ;(
I think the main problem is everyone else was firing off shots while myself and the other photographer were shooting. He and I took turns, but nobody else there was that curtious... ;(
Thanks,
Martin
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Yes, you can just set your camera to Av mode and adjust your depth to taste. The 580 will vary its power to compensate for the different light levels.
MY OWN 580 question:
Is there a way to tell the flash to meter the scene, and use THAT aperture, which would serve to closely balance the levels of ambient and fill light?
??
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/14/2007
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Paul,
1st of all Thank you for all of your help and 2nd of all is this a trick question? Because you just made the statement listed below...
You wrote:
Yes, you can just set your camera to Av mode and adjust your depth to taste. The 580 will vary its power to compensate for the different light levels.
So, my answer would be yes, as long as I use AV, TV, or Manual mode on the camera and E TTL on the flash, but I can not use my AB's or any other light source that will fire off of the 580EX set on auto mode... With one caveat, because if I hard wire the strobes, they will only fire when the camera tells them to and not when they pick up another light source flash... Although, then I would have to set the 580EX to manual mode and use my Sekonic to meter each flash separately... I think your just testing me... hehehe ... Do I win a prize? ... ;)
Thank you once again for teaching me and picking your brain,
Martin 
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/15/2007
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Yes, you can set it on Av mode, and the flash will dutifully light up the scene, but NOW it is locked to 1/250 second. That means the background may or may NOT have similar ambient light levels.
I'm trying to find a way to automatically fill in at 1/2 ambient level, Martin.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/15/2007
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Paul,
Sorry as I though you were pulling my leg. I'm not sure about doing it automatically, but it is very possible doing it manually. I can't help with that one my friend...
I just tried my sujestion above and it worked. I didn't know if the camera would fire the strobe and the speed light at the same time but it did... I was just guessing it would and I now know it will... ;)
I set the speed light on ETTL and the camera on manual using a shutter speed of 1/125 @ f/5.6 with a sync cord to fire off the strobe with a setting of 1/125 @ f/4.0...
Although if I were going to use 1 fill light I wouldn't even mess with the speed light. I would use 2, or 3 AB's, but that's just me...
Thank you for making me think outside of the box,
Martin 
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/15/2007
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Great. Glad you got it sorted out, Martin.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/16/2007
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Paul,
I didn't sort out anything, I just answered your question... ;O
I only started this thread, because you said you could help me with the 580EX, in which it was to no avail...
Martin
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Paul Lara
(K=88111) - Comment Date 6/16/2007
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Sorry I couldn't help you.
The 580 is a light I can pull out of my pocket, which makes it the only light choice at that moment. Bounding off of adjacent white walls or ceilings, I can create some VERY soft lighting.
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Martin .
(K=24957) - Comment Date 6/16/2007
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Paul,
You helped me a lot, indeed... You made me think out side of the box... ;)
Thanks,
Martin
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