Sorry for the long post but this is a particularly frustrating problem.
Despite having upgraded from a 380EX to overcome some of these problems,
the 550EX (or rather it's manual) still leaves much to be desired.
Promarily due to the lack of info on exactly how it works in non standard
circumstances.
Can anyone on the list help me understand and hopefully get the results I
want?
When used with the Elan 7E (EOS30), and "normal techniques", the flash
behaves pretty much as it's supposed to, giving confirmation and correct
exposures, etc.
But try using a 500D close up lens on a 100-400 IS and confirmation then
seems to be a bit of a lottery, regardless of camera or flash modes. I also
use a Lumiquest pocket bouncer with various reflectors and this just makes
close ups completely unpredictable.
I've done all the calculations, tried setting the camera to Manual and Av
with CF09=0 & 1. Set the flash to E-TTL and used compensation. Then to
Manual with zoom settings which should have provided more than enough
power, all to no avail. I do get correct exposures some of the time, but
not with any predictability.
I have Chuck Westfall's old note on Canon flash behaviour (pre EOS30 and
550EX) and consider myself above average in knowledge on the technical
aspects of both the camera and the flash but this is driving me crazy. Not
only have I used a lot of film trying to determine how this all works, but
I still don't have a method I can rely on to obtain correct exposure for
these non standard uses. The main reason for upgrading to the 550EX was the
manual mode but this has been quite a disappointment.
Any else tried similar combinations? Do the 3rd party manuals help at all
with these problems? I'd really appreciate any suggestions to help me
arrive at a reliable methodology.
Norman
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