430ex ans iso levels

I have just purchased a 430ex external flash to go with my 360d. Having tested the flash in P mode I am very disappointed with the results. The shots appear dull and under exposed. Has this something to do with the iso setting that defaults to 100 in P mode.

I bought the flash to improve exposure in dimly lit indoor situations such as pubs, nightclubs and under artificial lighting. When using the 430 ex in these circumstances is there a need to generally increase the iso above 100?

Also, have I wasted my money? would I not be better off using the internal flash and then increase the brightness etc in a post processing software package?

You can use FEC (flash exposure compensation) on the flash or in the camera to adjust flash output. TTL meters the flash output reflected back to the camera to make a proper exposure (by using a quick preflash you can't see). ISO 100 in very dark lit rooms is too low in my experience. I mostly use 200-800 and use F5.6 to F7.1 for portrets at close range. I use M all the time. You can decrease the shutter speed to dial in some ambient lighting into the shot. Do a couple of test shots to get a feel what FEC number works best.

You didn't waste money, the external flash is a lot more powerful and capable to to wide angle shots, bounce or use a softbox/bouncer. Just take some time to learn how the flash works, you won't regret it.

craig2610 said:

I have just purchased a 430ex external flash to go with my 360d.
Having tested the flash in P mode I am very disappointed with the
results. The shots appear dull and under exposed. Has this
something to do with the iso setting that defaults to 100 in P mode.

I bought the flash to improve exposure in dimly lit indoor
situations such as pubs, nightclubs and under artificial lighting.
When using the 430 ex in these circumstances is there a need to
generally increase the iso above 100?

Also, have I wasted my money? would I not be better off using the
internal flash and then increase the brightness etc in a post
processing software package?

Click to expand...

thanks for this.

Thanks for this. When using a flash do you only use flash compensation rather than normal exposure compensation or both or???

It depends on the shooting mode. In P, Av and Tv you can use EC, in M mode the needle/triangle indicates the light metered rather than show you the EC value you set. You can fire a pre flash by hitting the * button. I'm not sure if the lightmeter takes the flash into account with * though.

EC only affects the ambient light, not the flash. If you use the flash for fill-ins You can use EC as normal and control the flash output with FEC.

craig2610 said:

Thanks for this. When using a flash do you only use flash
compensation rather than normal exposure compensation or both or???

Click to expand...

When I first got the 430EX I was disappointed in the automatic modes, seems that the camera will select a very slow shutter speed such as 1/30 and the lowest f-stop number your lens will allow, then attempts to fill in with possibly less flash. You have the possibility of camera shake and a soft image with the lens wide open.

I have never really shot in the programmable modes, so I tried the camera in manual and Av mode with settings like 1/100s or faster f4 or 5.6 ISO 200 or 400 I take a test shot or two and watch the histograms to adjust exposure. I am really pleased with the results.

The high speed sync is wonderful for outdoor in harsh sunlight photo’s I can have the shutter speed at 1/500s and fill in the shadows that would normally ruin a picture.

I guess you can’t edit once you post.

Your lens being wide open doesn’t cause camera shake, but a wide open lens can cause a soft picture with a very narrow depth of field.

The shutter speed being low is where camera shake can happen.