I got a flash! Now how do I use it?

[Muddy Beast]

So I bought a Speedlite 430EX recently...and I played around with it for awhile today with a friend bike riding. I cant figure everything out.

How do I dull down the flash? I would like to be able to shoot atleast 3 shots in a row in hopes of making shots easier to catch of me when I hand the camera to a friend. However when I change it so the flash is on "M" mode and set it at 1/4th, my apature changes on the camera to the highest possible, 32 I believe. So how can I make the shutter weaker, but keep the apature at 2.8?

Also...What are the tricks for just setting these things in general. I paid so much for it, I want to be able to get the most out of it as possible...However, at the moment I can only use it in full auto.

P.S. Any tricks or settings I should use to take close mountain bike shots at high speeds? Maybe I can set the camera to higher then 1/200th shutter speed?

Thanks! :aureola:

[jorgemonkey]

First off, the manual is your friend

2nd, There is probably a + & - button on the back of the flash that will change the flash exposure compensation, that will help bring the power up & down on it.

I can't speak much more of the Canon flashes since I'm a Nikon shooter, but they'll chime in soon

[SmartWombat]

Manual mode is your friend
Both on the camera and on the flash.


Or if you just want less fill flash, push the button in the middle of the control wheel on the flash, and then turn the compensation down from 0 to give less light.
I don't use the on-camera flash compensation controls, too many buttons to push.

If you want to fire the flash more frequently, you may need an external battery back.

[dhyravy]

At 1/4 power you should be able to get at least 3 or 4 pops from the flash. As for the camera setting the aperture at f22, you will have to shoot in either aperture priority or manual. If you're using the flash for fill in daylight try it at 1/8 power and you should get more than 3 fast fires with fresh batteries. Sorry I can't give you more detail, but I shoot Nikon too.

[readingr]

Try reading this on how to use flash with Canon EOS camrea's

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

On the 5D the 430 works well and I only use the camera and flash in manual mode so the Camera is set for the exposure and speed as normal and then the flash is manually set to whatever seems right for the fill flash. I normally experiment with the setting.

In P, A and T modes I think the flash is only used as fill flash from memory on the EOS camera's. Need to read the manual to confirm this.

Roger

Roger

[Muddy Beast]

boo manuals...I hate them.

Alright thanks guys, I'll try out the tips you provided.

P.S. I'm using it as a fill flash in daylight, but in a forest...so things are sort of dark.

[desmo13]

I got a 430 today, here is what I learned

I shoot camera and flash in manual.

to shoot higher than 1/200, press the lightning bolt button on the flash (between the mode button and the zoom button)

I played outside today in bright sun, flash set on 1/4. I set the exposure on the camera to 1 stop down(underexposed) seemed to work well. close up stuff (flowers, bugs) I was down to 1/64th on the flash.

but being new, it takes me about 3 or 4 shots to get it right.