Flash Photography - 430EX

[joebob45]

I am a bit frustrated. But first the history.
I started with an Minolta XGA, then quickly upgraded to an X700, and purchased a Quantaray 7550 with a fill flash to go along with it.

I liked the results, but keeping everything set properly was a pain. I moved up a to Nikon, and used the same flash. All film cameras until now.

I now have a Canon XT, and since the old Quantaray won't work with it, I just acquired a new 430EX, and a Sigma 17-70, 2.8 lens replace the standard 28-55. It's an ok flash, but unlike my old flash, when I tilt the head 45 degrees, the lower third of the picture is dimmer than the rest.

I reckon that has to do with not having the fill flash, but then again, most flashes don't have that middle flash in there anyway. The only way I have been able to eliminate this, is by pointing the flash straight up and bouncing the light off of the ceiling and not the wall. Please remember, most of my indoor flash shots are of family with normal height ceilings.

Question: Am I doing something wrong, not angling something properly, or not setting something correctly? I am no idiot and have never had this problem in my 20 plus years of hobby photography. This flash seems like a really cool tool, but it frustrates me when the light balance is so far off.

Question; Is the lense I am using wrong for this purpose? I appreciate how wide it can go, and took a real nice family shot, but I had to heavily use Photoshop to lighten the lower third.

Question: If not, is there an attachment that will split the light, so the lower third will be equally lighted?

Question: What is the point of being able to tilt the head at 45, if the lower third will be dimmer than the rest? Might as well always have it straight up to get the proper balance.

Your input would be really appreciated.

[OmahaAdam]

what shutter speed are you shooting at when you experience this? It sounds like you're shooting above the sync speed.

[gryphonslair99]

Everything you ever need to know about using an EOS flash.

http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/

[yogestee]

joebob45,,,,your problem with the lower portion of your image being darker lies with the angle of the bounce and the distance from the subject..The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection..The closer you get to the subject the more pronounced it will be..Step back from the subject and zoom in will lessen the effect..What also helps if you tape a piece of white card to the top of your 430EX allowing it to over hang the flash head by about 50mm or 60mm...This will act as a fill when bouncing your flash..I've got a a piece of card about 60mm X 70mm laminated in my camera bag which I attach with velco to my 430EX..The 580EX has one bulit in...Works a treat..

Jurgen
Laos