580EX arrives

RobertP · 16-11-2005, 19:52

Just got home and unpacked my new flashgun. Seems to have a lot of buttons, some red bits at the front and a big screen with stuff above the buttons. If you press a bit near the top it swivels and tilts!

I put some batteries in, fitted it to the camera and have taken several pictures of the bookcase next to this desk.

Certainly looks the part.

Just noticed there was a book thing in the box too. I may look at that later

***Steve*** · 16-11-2005, 19:57

Very nice, if you should find it is not suitable or no longer fits, I would be very willing to accept it as a free gift. I may even give you a unique user title as a show of my gratitude.

Gemok · 16-11-2005, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Very nice, if you should find it is not suitable or no longer fits, I would be very willing to accept it as a free gift. I may even give you a unique user title as a show of my gratitude.

Something along the lines of "Forum Fool"?

SammyC · 16-11-2005, 20:09

"Brown Nose" ?

Bachs · 16-11-2005, 20:15

That battery cover is a little scary innit?
I thought I was going to snap it first time I put batteries in it.

RobertP · 16-11-2005, 20:29

hehe. I slid it down then tried to open it... It didn't open very far..so I closed it again...opened it and pulled a little harder, it then opened a bit further but it felt like something just broke. Closed it again and it fitted... so I opened it again... same feeling of something breaking so I just went for it.

Has to be the strangest hinge design I've seen in a while.

Seems a shame to crease that nice new looking book by opening it. So how do I use this thing Bachs?

16-11-2005, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

Seems a shame to crease that nice new looking book by opening it. So how do I use this thing Bachs?

Read all the words on it from left to right, top to bottom.
When you have finished, turn the thing leafy thing over (this is called a page), and there are more words on the other side.

RobertP · 16-11-2005, 21:29

So you actually read the manual *before* you decide you don't know how to use it?

Hmmm never tried that before.

**Sonsey** · 17-11-2005, 02:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

Just noticed there was a book thing in the box too. I may look at that later

:test: :kaffeetri Don't bother mate, they're useless... just turn'er on and start pressing buttons

:FIcamerap

Gandhi · 17-11-2005, 02:14

RTFM!

If I have to tell one more person that cause they can't use their computer/modem/camera/broadband/vcr/sky I'll probably go on a schizoid axe attack!!!!!

My 17yr old step daughter gotr in a right strop when I refused to help printr her photo's. She'd got as far as plugging in the printer and clicking print on the program before asking me for help! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

***Dave*** · 17-11-2005, 08:29

Don't do it...only wusses

Men who suss it alone get all the

(sorry ladies, couldn't find a man bouncy thing to stay PC )

Bachs · 17-11-2005, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

So how do I use this thing Bachs?

Turn the button to on, look into the clear glass thing and press your shutter button and if you get a blinding flash in your eyes, turn it to face the subject when your vision comes back and press the shutter again.

Leave it on eTTL and if its too bright, put a tesco bag over it and shoot it again.

Remember, buying a flash like that is just to make your camera look good.
Don't confuse yourself with all them buttons n' stuff.

RobertP · 18-11-2005, 18:59

Think i may have to start a thread just for flashgun questions

Simple one first. Without compensation the flash consistently underexposes. By playing with the settings it seems to be about one stop. Interestingly I took the 580EX off and tried the pop up flash - what I thought was just a weak flash is also underexposing by a stop. Use compensation on it and it actually does the job (at short range at least).

Setting flash compensation on the camera does not just affect the pop up - the 580EX is changed as well. The display on the 580EX does not indicate any compensation. setting +1 on the camera and -1 on the flash results in a normal (under)exposure. Just something I noticed

not relevant to the Q.

And the Question is - I've seen mention of underexposure before somewhere - does anyone know if any firmware update addresses this as I am still on the original? Or of course any other reason I've missed.

***Steve*** · 18-11-2005, 19:54

Yes and no ref the firmware and flash. Canon claim that the latest firmware is to update and improve (I suppose) the communication of data between the 430ex flash and the 20D, specifically the colour temperature stuff. However, and this is just from other peoples writings, nothing official from Canon. There are claims that this latest firmware does much more and also effects the 580ex as well. Some people are getting far better results, others are seeing no difference at all and unlike you are not having any underexposure issues.

My advice would be to update the firmware and give it a try, the older firmwares are still on the Canon site so if you find no advantage or indeed get some other disadvantage, then returning to were you are now should not be a problem.

RobertP · 18-11-2005, 20:16

Just searched Google groups and underexposure with the 20D/580EX is quite common. The consensus seems to be 2/3 rds of a stop under.

One post said the reason is that there is spot metering at the AF point and the rest is ignored - so a bright target = less flash. I just tried some test shots and could see the effect but not enough to account for the problem.
Also read it is related to ETTL II as only Canon flashes have the problem. No mention of a firmware solution but I may give it a go anyway.

busterboy · 19-11-2005, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bachs

That battery cover is a little scary innit?
I thought I was going to snap it first time I put batteries in it.

Same here Bachs...