Gary,
In addition of what Jay said, there is one confussion more to clarify (maybe):
You said:
>I am also confused about Manual mode I thought I would be able I choose what
>ever combination I want like 1\30 at f16 and the flash will expose for
>hat setting? I tried this and my flash meter read 1\30 a f5.6 If any
>one can help I would really appreciate it.
The catch here is that E-TTL uses a pre-flash to calculate de correct exposure.
If you're using a handheld flash meter, chances are that you're reading the
power of the pre-flash and not the main (*real*) flash burst.
When in Manual mode, the flash will output enough light to expose correctly your
main subject matching the f-stop you selected. The exposure time you choose has
no influence in the flash output (except if you exceed the XSync time:in this
case the flash will start using High Speed Sync and its guide number will
decrease (see FP flash in the user's manual and the FP Guide number table for
the different speeds in the flash user's manual)).
You can use a couple of tricks to meter the output of the flash with a handheld
flash meter: one is to use FEL on the subject. Then shot during the time the
flash exposure is locked (about 16secs) and meter THAT ouput. There will be no
pre-flash involved, since the exposure will be based of the FEL reading.
Another way is to use the timer on the camera: Activate the timer and then push
the shutter. The E-TTL pre-flash will fire at the beginning of the timer count
(10 secs) in this time, you should reset your flashmeter and place on position.
Wait for the exposure and read your value...
You'll see that your numbers will start to match.
The best thing is to use a gray card as main subject as E-TTL is subject's color
biased. (did you know that? ;-)
Have fun!
Gerard.
PS: note that there's a direct consequence of the pre-flash in studio settings:
All dumb slaves will fire with the E-TTL preflash and *not* at the time of the
real exposure. You can also use the tricks mentioned above to work arround that
situation.
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