Using Your On Camera Flash Part V

Note:  Kirk is "the Affordable Full time Professional Wedding Photographer Winsdor,  Ontario".  Here is the Link to KW Masters Photography.

Introduction:

The Canon Speedlite 580 EX II Flash has many custom functions.  Today, we will look at setting up some of these functions.  Learning the features of your equipment and how to use it will make us all better photographers.

Discussion:

A total of 14 custom functions (C.Fn-00 through C.Fn-13) can be set on the flash.

C.Fn-00: Distance indicator display (ft/m)
C.Fn-01: Auto Power Off (enabled/disabled)
C.Fn-02: Modeling Flash
C.Fn-03: FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) auto cancel
C.Fn-04: FEB sequence
C.Fn-05: Flash Metering Mode
C.Fn-06: Quickflash with continuous shot
C.Fn-07: Test firing with autoflash (enabled/disabled)
C.Fn-08: AF-assist beam firing
C.Fn-09: Auto zoom for sensor size (enabled/disabled)
C.Fn-10: Slave auto power off timer
C.Fn-11: Slave auto power off cancel
C.Fn-12: Flash recycle with external power source
C.Fn-13: Flash exposure meter setting

The Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash auto power-off occurs after 1.5-15 minutes or can be disabled using custom function 01 (C.Fn-01). Chuck Westfall (Canon USA) clarifies this for us:

Auto Power-Off on the Speedlite 580EX II normally kicks in after 90 seconds of inactivity when the flash is not set up as a slave unit. However, there is a thermistor inside the Speedlite that prevents the flash from firing when internal temperature exceeds a certain unspecified level. If the thermal cutoff kicks in, the flash cannot be fired until it cools down sufficiently. This usually takes about 15 minutes. C.Fn 14 disables Auto Power Off, but it does not disable the thermal cutoff.

As can be expected from Canon's top-of-the-line flash, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash features a wide range of controls including FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation), High Speed synch, FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing), FEL (Flash Exposure Lock), first/second curtain synch ... Use High Speed synch when you need a shutter speed higher than your camera's max flash synch speed (typically 1/200 or 1/250) - such as outdoors with a decent amount of light. At certain shutter speeds, the second curtain starts to close before the first curtain is completely open - standard flash mode needs a wide open aperture for the instant it flashes light. In HS mode, the faster the shutter speed, the shorter the effective flash range will become.

Use second curtain flash synch when taking an exposure with subject motion blur - the motion will flow to the end of the exposure which will be accented by the flash. FEC overrides the camera setting while other settings are determined by the location of the last adjustment.

The 580EX II features a zoom-capable flash head. The zoom setting can be set manually (for creativity) or automatically by the camera communicating with the flash. Included in the communication is the FOVCF (1.0x, 1.3x or 1.6x) of the compatible digital camera body being used (film cameras are 1.0x/full frame). The zoom setting is optimized for the camera and lens being used - Less light is wasted, battery life is maximized. This means that the Canon EF-S 10-22mm USM Lens is supported on EF-S compatible Canon bodies. A lens wider than 24mm (or equivalent framing) requires the pull-out and flip-down diffuser panel to be used for complete frame flash coverage. A lens wider than 14mm (such as the Canon EF 15mm Fisheye Lens requires bounce flash or an accessory diffuser such as a Sto-Fen Omni-Bounce. Rotating the flash head to bounce position results in a 50mm zoom position.

Summary:

Your 580 EX II came with a manual.  It just might be a good idea to learn it.  A good tip is to down load the pdf version and print it on large sheet paper and put it in a binder for review and reference.  I recommend that you go though each setting on the flash and learn how to apply them.

I will continue this series on using your on camera flash next week so keep tuned in.  Enjoy.

 Quick Reference Guide:

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