Dear John:
Definitely go for the external flash...you will need it later on down the
road anyway. Although the 380EX has been replaced by the 420EX, either one
will work.Here's how I'd do it:
Using the 28-80 at around 60~75ish depending on the number of family
members. The apreture should be around f4.5~5.6. Bounce-flash off the
ceiling if the ceiling's about 8~15 ft high. Put your camera in Full Manual
mode and set it at 1/60th or faster and f5.6. E-TTL should take care of the
flash exposure for you, though you might want to think about over-exposing
your flash exposure about 1/2 stop or so.
Don't do's:
-use 28mm because it's too wide for family portraits
-100 or above because your images appear too flat and your subjects are too
far away.
Most importantly, you should really worry about your subject instead of the
setup. As long as you have an external flash, you should be fine either
direct-flashing or using the above way. If you're not confident with Full
Manual, try Program Mode or if you want to keep some ambient light in your
picture, use Aperture Value mode.
Good luck!
Yen
> Our office has a chirtmas favour exchange, I said I would do a family
> portrait.... Now I have a delema, I have to deliver. I need help on
> lightning.
>
> I have a Elan II, with the following lenses 28-80mm and a 75-300mm, my
> trusty tripod and the remote. I DO NOT have an external flash (I know I
> desperately need one) I am looking at buying the 380EX.
>
> Background: Most likely it will be a typical christmas portrait shot in
> front of the christmas tree or in front of the fireplace, or the typical
> armchair pose, all indoors.
>
> So I Have a couple scenario's I need help with.
>
> 1. I do not use an external flash. Which of my lenses do I use? How far
away
> from the subjects do I position myself to reduce or eliminate red eye
using
> my Elan II built in flash? and any other Suggestions?
>
> 2. I bite the bullet (money at Chrismas time) and buy the flash since i
Have
> needed to for a while, and am tired of getting slightly over exposed
washed
> out pictures of pleople. If I set my camera to portrait mode (automatic)
is
> there any thing I need to do to make the 380 EX perform? and if I am
taking
> the flash straight on do I bounce the flash up or will the depth
perception
> of the auto focus be ok?
>
> I am open to many suggestions, I appreciate your input.
>
> John Mac
>
> Fredericton, NB
> Canada
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