Who uses ETTL---Strobists please chime in

I just started using a flashes for shooting humming birds and to date I only usethem in manual mode. I have thought about playing with ETTL, but manual seems simpler and easier. If at first you don't like the result, You can easily tell where the error is and make appropriate power or exposure adjustments. With ETTL it seems a little more complicated with Falsh Exposure Comp, ratios, etc. What am I missing?


So, I was curious, how many people are using thier flash in ETTL, especially if it is off camera, used with pocket wizards or other triggers and when used with multiple flashes.


I am really curious about this in regards to portraiture (shooting people is completely new to me)


Comments are appreciated.


Thanks


Bob

I'm not very advanced with flash, but I do use wireless ETTL.

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Originally Posted by bob williams

With ETTL it seems a little more complicated with Falsh Exposure Comp, ratios, etc. What am I missing?

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I think you're right -- in many ways, ETTL is a lot more difficult. When you have time to adjust the light manually, it doesn't really do you any good. The benefit of ETTL is when conditions are changing faster than you can keep up with. I use it in event photography, so I'm constantly changing subject distance and f-number. If I was using manual flash, I would have to know the inverse square law and do the math fast enough in my head to keep flash levels correct, not to mention the ratio I want between my key flash and fill flash. With wireless ETTL, the camera does all the math for me in an instant, which is usually all the time that I have to capture the precise moment.

All manual here. I tried ETTL once I got my 7D, but I found it much too complicated for my needs. Of course, I was already quite comfortable with changing flash settings manually, so I had less incentive to learn. :-)

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Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

I use it in event photography, so I'm constantly changing subject distance and f-number. If I was using manual flash, I would have to know the inverse square law and do the math fast enough in my head to keep flash levels correct, not to mention the ratio I want between my key flash and fill flash. With wireless ETTL, the camera does all the math for me in an instant, which is usually all the time that I have to capture the precise moment.

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That makes a lot of sense. That is a battle i have yet to fight, so I guess I should at least learn how to use it, just incase I find myself in one of thoserapidly changing situations.


Thanks Daniel,


Bob

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Originally Posted by Sean Setters

All manual here. I tried ETTL once I got my 7D, but I found it much too complicated for my needs. Of course, I was already quite comfortable with changing flash settings manually, so I had less incentive to learn. :-)
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Though my strobism skills and experience are no where near yours, Sean; I agree with you. In manual, I understand and can logically think through a problem. But When in ETTL, I don't think I would know what the camera or flash is doing. but, Daniel did bring up a good point, and since I have the capabilities, I guess I should take the time to learn my equipment, just in case the need ever arises.


Thanks


Bob

What camera are you using? I was very disappointed with the results I got using ETTl with my XT &amp; XTi, however, I get much better results with my 5D. Even though my XTi is newer technology my 5D is far better all around exposure control. I sometimes use ETTL with outdoor portraits with the flash exposure dialed way down for just fill. It works pretty good but I much better prefer manual here. For events like wedding receptions, I operate the camera in manual but flash on ETTL. This works very well for me.


Mark

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Originally Posted by clemmb

What camera are you using?

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7D w/ 580EXII

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Originally Posted by clemmb

For events like wedding receptions, I operate the camera in manual but flash on ETTL. This works very well for me.

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Hmm, I will have to try this.


Thanks,


Bob

If I'm inside and can use the ST-E2 or another 580EXII (with Ray Flash) as a fill, I'll use E-TTL.


I like the ST-E2 because it is very simple and fast to change the ratios of the key and fill (you have to assign them groups). Then you can control the power through the flash comp on the camera all in a matter of seconds where manual it would take some time and some wandering. Clients seem to loose patients and confidence if you are running back and forth changing settings (if I have and assistant to sit in before hand this is not a big deal). If I do it from the camera they don't even realize anything is going on.


Another reason I like it is, I can shoot a portrait at say, f/5.6 but then I decide this subject would look really good in an artsy shallow DOF shot. I can crank the f/stop down to 1.2 and the E-TTL will compensate without having to readjust lights for several minutes. I can go back and forth with any f/stop, shutter speed or ISO and my lights will be consistent. I find this invaluable.


The one place this bit me in the butt was one day I was shooting a headshot and I set my normal shutter/f-stop and forgot to change my ISO and I started shooting at 1600 and normally it would be blown way out on the LCD, but in E-TTL the flashes were adjusted so I didn't see the mistake until later.

I use pocket wizard in ettl often with 2 or 3 flashes. I find it very easy, specially now with the AC3 zone controller.

Only slightly on topic for this thread, here is a very cool article on a mega-flash:


http://scottyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-impressions-on-microflash-pro.html

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Originally Posted by Jonathan Huyer

Only slightly on topic for this thread, here is a very cool article on a mega-flash:


[url="http://scottyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-impressions-on-microflash-pro.html]http://scottyphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-impressions-on-microflash-pro.html[/url]
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A little pricey for me--but very cool. I would love to give this bad boy a try.


Thanks

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Originally Posted by bob williams

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Originally Posted by clemmb

What camera are you using?

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7D w/ 580EXII

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clemmb

For events like wedding receptions, I operate the camera in manual but flash on ETTL. This works very well for me.

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Hmm, I will have to try this.


Thanks,


Bob
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I forgot to mention, go to custom function and set ETTL to ave.


Mark

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Originally Posted by clemmb

I forgot to mention, go to custom function and set ETTL to ave.

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Now I have to go read the owners manual to figure out what this means [:^)]

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Originally Posted by bob williams

go to custom function and set ETTL to ave

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It's simple, really. When set to "Avenue" (or "ave", for short), the ETTL will increase exposure for pictures facing north or south. The default ETTL mode is "Street", which increases exposure if you face east or west.


(Actually, if I recall correctly, "ave" is for "averaging", which uses an average of the entire scene to set exposure. The default mode is Canon's proprietary evaluative flash metering.)

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Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

It's simple, really. When set to "Avenue" (or "ave", for short), the ETTL will increase exposure for pictures facing north or south. The default ETTL mode is "Street", which increases exposure if you face east or west.

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Daniel,


Hmmmm, I wonder if B&amp;H sells a viewfinder for the 7D that helps me maintain properST/AVE orientation of my ETTL580EXII7D/100-400L parked on a RRS BH55 and GT3531L? Of course it would have to have custom functions for even and odd numbered interstate highway markings.


Seriously, Thanks for the laugh, and the right answer; you had me going for a moment. Have a [B] on me.


Bob

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Originally Posted by bob williams

Of course it would have to have custom functions for even and odd numbered interstate highway markings.



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That one is custom function 420.9