More 550 ex Flash setting questions

[freefalle 0]

This weekend Im going on an early morning balloon jump we will be taking off probably right at sunrise. I'm obviously wanting to take some photos and will be using my flash. This will be my first attempt at flash photography and Im a little confused about settings. My camera is a Canon Digital rebel, my flash is a 550 ex. I unfortunately don't have an external power source yet som I'm stuck using the stock batteries.

Can someone please give me some advice on what to set the camera to and what to set the flash to. Can I get the flash to shoot 3 or 4 frames in a row or is it not possible given the lack of a external power source? Thanks for your help.

[vdschoor 0]

Figure out what kind of exposure you need, but the highest flash recycle rate on the 550EX in combination with the Digital Rebel is at a shutterspeed of 200 (the max sync speed for the Digital Rebel)

What I usually set the flash to is overexpose the shot by 1 stop (the +1 setting), manual focus at 24mm (I shoot with the Sigma 15mm)

My last balloon jump where I took stills was exactly that:

On the camera:
Tv at a shutterspeed of 200
ISO 100

On the flash:
manual zoom at 24mm
Overexpose by 1 stop (+1 setting)


Let me know if you have any questions...

[DancingFlame 0]

Quote

Digital Rebel is at a shutterspeed of 200 (the max sync speed for the Digital Rebel)

That't not true. 1/200 is the maximum sync speed for built-in flash. Rebel is able to sync with external flashes (420, 550, 580) up to 1/2000 or 1/4000 (don't remember actual numbers). That's a 'high-speed sync mode' supported by most external flash units.

As a photographer I would recommend another set of settings. When shooting with flash Digital Rebel acts a bit different than without one.
Base exposure is calculated as if no flash will be used! Rebel does this to draw the background (flash is not powerful enough to lit the whole world). Shooting in poor light using 'Tv' mode will force camera to use wide open aperture. That will affect depth resoulution.
Therefore I recommend 'M' exposure calculation mode. Choose correct shutterspeed (1/200 should be just fine) and an aperture number (depending on lens and desired depth resolution). Set ISO number to 100 or 200.
Camera will calculate required amount of light by itself. Flash will be fired to compensate underexposure. It there is no underexposure flash will be fired in compulsory mode (low power flash to highligh shadows).
One can always check if there is under or overexposure. Just half-press the shutter button and see expocorrection stick on the LCD. Rebel calculates exposure (as if no flash is used) and displays it there in 'M' mode. Stick shifted to the left means frame is underexposed and camera will use flash to correct the exposition. Stick shifted to the right means you are already overexposing the frame, either shorten shutterspeed o close aperture to get a good exposition.

Try reading the manual for complete description. It always helps

[pcalandra 0]

Heres what I would do for this situation, I have a 300 w/a 550 ex.


ISO 400
TV Mode, 1/500th of a second
Flash set to High Speed Sync, fill flash compensation -1/3 or 2/3 (for your balloon I'd do -1/3). Check the manual it will tell you how to make the settings.

Go buy some NiMi rechargable batteries and use those. You can get an Energizer charger and 4 AA batteries for about 25.00.

Here's a balloon jump from last year shot just the way I explained above!

[linestretch 0]

I have a 10D, and have had mixed results. The close ups are sweet, but the bigger shots just aren't standing out. But here's a sample of one with and one without the flash, probably within a second of each other. These were on TV, at about 350, and probably 100ASA. Pretty significant.

my pics & stuff!