1d Iii, Ex 580 Ii, Ettl Ii

[CaptnWil]

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!
It is common knowledge that flash with Canon digital cameras has been a challenge. Mark McCall has described a way to get consistent results with Canon cameras using Metz flash units.

I already used the EX 580 II with a 1D II, and after reading Mark’s work, bought a MECABLITZ 58 AF-1 C and made it my normal flash using Mark’s instructions. I won’t detail those results, but those instructions may be still be necessary for other cameras then the 1D III and 1Ds III.

The new Canon 1D III and 1Ds III provide a custom function to set both maximum and minimum shutter speeds. While this seems a very minor control, it is the pathway to the best flash exposure I have ever seen.

THE EX 580 II IS IN, THE METZ IS OUT
In the following, the Canon EX 580 II will be called 580. The Metz 58 will be called Metz.
Unless the flash quality of the Metz is better than the 580 II there are many reasons to select the 580.

1. The physical quality of the 580 is much superior to the Metz.
2. The recycle time of the 580 is much shorter than the Metz
3. The angle of flash coverage of the 580 is much greater with the Metz
4. The 580 has weather sealed connection to the hot shoe
5. The controls on the 580 are vastly superior to the Metz
6. Remote control is built in with the 580

None of the above is important unless the 580 can produce excellent results.

ENTER the 1D III and ETTL II

1. The flash exposure algorithm of ETTL II is improved from ETTL and, by itself, can produce better exposures than ETTL.

2. By being able to set the minimum shutter speed on the 1D III, AV mode can be used with most all flash situations – even fill flash when you set the ISO so the normal shutter speed is 1/300 or slower.

3. The normal problem using AV mode with flash is that the camera tries to get a proper exposure by setting the shutter speed, and in flash situations, makes the shutter so slow that this mode is unuseable.

4. PROCEDURE
a. Set minimum shutter speed with C.Fn 1-12. I have experimented with 1/30, but other values are possible.

b. Set exposure mode to Av.

c. Set flash mode to ETTL II in both camera and flash.

d. Frame the subject and observe shutter speed. If it is faster than 1/300, reduce ISO (first choice) or change aperture.

e. Shoot! Enjoy the results. You’ll like them.

My first real job with this setup was a Kindergarten Thanksgiving program. The job was shot with ABBC, but that’s another post. You can’t tell that a flash was used. There is no tunnel effect and no off color at all, but then I also use a WhiBal (another post). The entire stage and kids are evenly lit.

There is some more to find out about fill flash with this setup, but I’m sure this is the way to go.

Sorry for the long post.
Wil

[Worm324]

Thanks for the info How about some samples of the killer exposure's??

Jay

[KellyL]

William, I just recently purchased BOTH of those flash units...because I was torn. I haven't even opened up the Metz flash yet. I am very pleased with the Canon II. It recycles like a dream...I was very surprised. A much faster recycle time over the old 580 EX. Now I am thinking I should return the Metz and get a second 580 EX2. Of course, I might have bypassed my opportunity to return my Metz 58 by waiting too long. Mark loves Metz, and Will Crockett said the 58 was the best on the market, so I thought I would give it a try. But I haven't.

[jfrancho]

Wouldn't it just be easier to use M mode?

[CaptnWil]

The beauty of Av mode is that you get all the effect possible from the ambient light. The down side has always been that it produced such a slow shutter speed that it was unusable.

With the 1D3, you can set the minimum shutter speed to suit your desire, like 1/30. Now you have the best of both Av and Manual mode. You let the camera's metering system set the exposure and flash using ETTL II.

If your subject suddenly steps into light that would be over exposed with your minimum shutter speed (the one you would set in M mode), Av will keep the exposure proper by raising the shutter in normal Av fashion. When I have encountered these situations, it seems that the system makes the flash work like very good fill light.

In addition, my experience is that with the new ETTL II algorithms, the 1D3 exposure meter is superior to the external flash's meter. That may not be the case with other cameras. It was not the case with my 1D2.

Wil

[jfrancho]

In M mode, I have control of all of these. I see no advantage.

[CaptnWil]

Good!