Reading mode: Light Dark

G2 + 420EX overexposure in fill-flash

Go to last post
C

chenac

New member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Location
US
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation, which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on 420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
 
Absolutely. i just had an outdoor shoot ruined by this. I was using a Canon 420EX for fill flash on a bright sunny day and it badly overexposed a large majority of the pictures I took. Those shot under less bright conditions or without the external fill flash turned out perfectly.

It's a serious bug as far as I'm concerned.

Bruce.
chenac said:
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation,
which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on
auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on
420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter
speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original
speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for
example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the
shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change
the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
Click to expand...
 
I didn't pay attention to the shutter speed but did experienced the same overexposure when using the 420EX with my G2. There are two way to work around it.

1. Reduce the flash power
2. Tilt the flash head to 60 degree and rubber band a white index card

Steve
chenac said:
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation,
which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on
auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on
420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter
speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original
speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for
example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the
shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change
the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
Click to expand...
 
David N. said:
Yes-- you MUST reduce the flash output in this situation. Even a
slight adjustment will help but I have found that -2 works well in
most situations.
Click to expand...
How do you do this? Is it a setting on the flash or camera?

One should not theorize before one has data
-Sherlock Holmes
 
I have used Canon, Nikon and Minolta SLR sytems extensively over the years and in doing so have used most of the cameras in each range. My experience is that Canons over exposes on flash, particularly fill-flash, in a way that the other two systems don't. Even E-TTL, which is much better than earlier sytems, is not as good as either the Nikon or Minolta system. It is a shame because their lenses are fantastic.
Steven Yau said:
1. Reduce the flash power
2. Tilt the flash head to 60 degree and rubber band a white index
card

Steve
chenac said:
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation,
which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on
auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on
420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter
speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original
speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for
example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the
shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change
the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I haven't tried this yet but will when I get home. Assuming bright daylight try the same settings in M (manual) mode and set the flash mode on the 420EX to FP (focal plane) high speed sync.
chenac said:
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation,
which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on
auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on
420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter
speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original
speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for
example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the
shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change
the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
Click to expand...
--

Iout4U
 
In Tv mode set the shutter to 1/640 or higher to force the camera to use f/8 aperture.

Unfortunately with the G1/G2 you have two choices of f/stop. You can shoot normal using E-TTL in which case the aperture is wide open at f/2.0 or f/2.5 or set the shutter speed to 1/640 or higher which forces the aperture to f/8.
chenac said:
I am a happy Digital Camera G2 user. But I encounter a situation,
which the G2 could perform much well.

Overexposure for G2(firmware 1.0.1) + 420EX/550EX for fill-flash on
auto/P/AV mode:

Under one birght outdoor condiction, when I force G2 to turn-on
420EX flash (for fill-in the shadows). G2 will reduce it's shutter
speed to the max flash sync speed (1/250 second) from the original
speed of 1/640 second, but it keeps it aperture value (f/3.5, for
example) without change. So the exposure is over for about 2 EV!!!

I then try the internal flash on same situation, G2 change the
shutter speed to 1/250 second (from 1/640second) and also change
the aperture value to f/5.6 (from f/3.5). So no overexposure occurs.

Would everyone try this to confirm it is a real issue?
Click to expand...
--

Iout4U
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top