Some question on 580EX II

[benevuto]

i)The stofen manual said that do not use direct flash other than TTL mode. Does that mean I cannot use ETTL mode for direct flash ?

ii) there is a custom setting for External Exposure metering. Does that refer to external hand held meter?

iii) If I use diffuser do I need to set FEC? I heard that 580EX itself tend to under by 1/3 stop.

[jfrancho]

1. Try it. It works. Whether you like results is up to you. It depends on the subject. Since ETTL fires a preflash, exposure isn't supposed to be affected by a diffuser.
2. No idea.
3. Try it. I usually go with +2/3 if bouncing, and dead 0 if bare direct, but I use the original 580ex.

[Fototravis]

Originally Posted by benevuto

i)The stofen manual said that do not use direct flash other than TTL mode. Does that mean I cannot use ETTL mode for direct flash ?

ii) there is a custom setting for External Exposure metering. Does that refer to external hand held meter?

iii) If I use diffuser do I need to set FEC? I heard that 580EX itself tend to under by 1/3 stop.

1) You can use ETTL with not troubles, like stated beforehand it sends out a preflash to properly expose.

2) The external exposure metering is basically like an "Auto" mode on a manual flash. It will try to decide what to set the flash at itself. It does not refer to the camera at all.

3) I too use a +2/3 stop setting while bouncing.