7dm2: how to quickly enable/disable flash firing?

4mla1fn · Feb 27, 2016

i've recently started shooting high school basketball and find that i need to quickly switch between enabling and disabling the flash (580exII). (i'm sitting low under the backboard so the players are backlit when they're on my near end.) i've been manually turning the flash on and off (rather then digging through menus) but would like a smoother way.

i'd hoped there was a custom control option for this (e.g. set the DOF preview to toggle the flash or better yet, a press-hold to enable flash). no luck. it seems like this would be a useful custom control option to have, no?? the flash release button isn't in the custom control but flash enable/disable could be one useful option for that button.

anyway, any suggestions on how else to do what i need? i'd thought about a custom function but switching mode doesn't sound much better/faster than manually turning the flash on/off.

Zeee · Feb 27, 2016

I have been trough all the menus many times and have never seen what you are looking for. Unfortunately I think shutting the flash off the may be your only option.

4mla1fn · Feb 27, 2016

Zee Char said:
I have been trough all the menus many times and have never seen what you are looking for. Unfortunately I think shutting the flash off the may be your only option.

okay, thanks for checking. hmm, i wonder if it's available on the 1dx or 5dm3? if it's not, then i must be taking pictures the wrong way.

Lemming51 · Feb 27, 2016

Define C1 as whatever mode you're using plus disble flash firing. Then you turn the mode dial from whatever to C1 back to whatever for flash, no flash, flash.

Still the on/off switch on the speedlite seems to me pretty quick, simple, direct.

4mla1fn said:
i've recently started shooting high school basketball and find that i need to quickly switch between enabling and disabling the flash (580exII). (i'm sitting low under the backboard so the players are backlit when they're on my near end.) i've been manually turning the flash on and off (rather then digging through menus) but would like a smoother way.

i'd hoped there was a custom control option for this (e.g. set the DOF preview to toggle the flash or better yet, a press-hold to enable flash). no luck. it seems like this would be a useful custom control option to have, no?? the flash release button isn't in the custom control but flash enable/disable could be one useful option for that button.

anyway, any suggestions on how else to do what i need? i'd thought about a custom function but switching mode doesn't sound much better/faster than manually turning the flash on/off.

Mark B. · Feb 28, 2016

4mla1fn said:
i've recently started shooting high school basketball and find that i need to quickly switch between enabling and disabling the flash (580exII). (i'm sitting low under the backboard so the players are backlit when they're on my near end.) i've been manually turning the flash on and off (rather then digging through menus) but would like a smoother way.

i'd hoped there was a custom control option for this (e.g. set the DOF preview to toggle the flash or better yet, a press-hold to enable flash). no luck. it seems like this would be a useful custom control option to have, no?? the flash release button isn't in the custom control but flash enable/disable could be one useful option for that button.

anyway, any suggestions on how else to do what i need? i'd thought about a custom function but switching mode doesn't sound much better/faster than manually turning the flash on/off.

What could possibly be quicker than simply flipping a switch? Sometimes it's easy to over-think a solution.

4mla1fn · Feb 28, 2016

Mark B. said:
4mla1fn said:

i've recently started shooting high school basketball and find that i need to quickly switch between enabling and disabling the flash (580exII). (i'm sitting low under the backboard so the players are backlit when they're on my near end.) i've been manually turning the flash on and off (rather then digging through menus) but would like a smoother way.

i'd hoped there was a custom control option for this (e.g. set the DOF preview to toggle the flash or better yet, a press-hold to enable flash). no luck. it seems like this would be a useful custom control option to have, no?? the flash release button isn't in the custom control but flash enable/disable could be one useful option for that button.

anyway, any suggestions on how else to do what i need? i'd thought about a custom function but switching mode doesn't sound much better/faster than manually turning the flash on/off.

Click to expand...

What could possibly be quicker than simply flipping a switch? Sometimes it's easy to over-think a solution.

pressing, for example, the DOF preview button (or whatever you like) would absolutely be quicker, wouldn't it? it would also provide the following advantages: i could also keep my eye in the viewfinder, hands in shooting position to not miss the shot (the on/off on the 580 is on the right side), and i wouldn't have to wait for the flash to be ready if the battery is even just a little bit low. sometimes it's easy to under-think a situation until you've been there. ;-)

flooder · Feb 28, 2016

Do you mind sharing your typical settings for basketball? I have never been tempted to shoot basketball with a flash. Plus you neuter the fps of the 7D2.

4mla1fn · Feb 28, 2016

flooder said:
Do you mind sharing your typical settings for basketball? I have never been tempted to shoot basketball with a flash. Plus you neuter the fps of the 7D2.

--
- Marvin
http://www.usedcoffeebeans.com

just some context: i've only shot about 5 bball games so i'm a total noob; i'm shooting high school ball as a parent; i've been experimenting with flash (i know some leagues don't permit flash) mainly to make the colors pop and to push the ISO down to reduce the noise. i shoot wide open; 2.8 or 4.0 (my lenses are in my gear list below). i'm using one on-camera 580exII; no remotes. high-speed sync of course. i've shot some ettl and generally get only one shot, as you'd expect. i've also shot in manual, 3/8 power or so, which allows up to three high-speed shots. (see below fwiw.)

unfortunately, the season just ended last night ("we are the championships...") so i'll have to wait for volleyball to start before getting more opportunities to play with this. anyway, there are times when flash can produce a nice shot. it's not something i'd use regularly but it really depends on the gym/dungeon. (if there was a way to quickly enable/disable the flash, i would probably be inclined to use it more.

)

Dave · Feb 29, 2016

All three of those are flash? Fast recharge!

tongki · Feb 29, 2016

what you are doing by turning on or off the flash 580 EX II is the fastest way I can imagine

I also got the same problems but mine is different, I use Quantum Trio and to switch it on and off takes more time and effort than 580 EX II

so, I set the quick menu into flash setting and enable / disable the flash from the quick menu, it is the fastest way for my setup

tongki · Feb 29, 2016

in your situation, I will use Quantum T5D-R and Trio on each side, triggered by CoPilot, if I want to disable the flash, I can easily rotate the switch to turn it off

to get those continuous shots using Quantum is a piece of cake, been using it with 1D mark IV 10fps in Q-TTL all with succesfull firing

4mla1fn said:
flooder said:

Do you mind sharing your typical settings for basketball? I have never been tempted to shoot basketball with a flash. Plus you neuter the fps of the 7D2.

--
- Marvin
http://www.usedcoffeebeans.com

Click to expand...

just some context: i've only shot about 5 bball games so i'm a total noob; i'm shooting high school ball as a parent; i've been experimenting with flash (i know some leagues don't permit flash) mainly to make the colors pop and to push the ISO down to reduce the noise. i shoot wide open; 2.8 or 4.0 (my lenses are in my gear list below). i'm using one on-camera 580exII; no remotes. high-speed sync of course. i've shot some ettl and generally get only one shot, as you'd expect. i've also shot in manual, 3/8 power or so, which allows up to three high-speed shots. (see below fwiw.)

unfortunately, the season just ended last night ("we are the championships...") so i'll have to wait for volleyball to start before getting more opportunities to play with this. anyway, there are times when flash can produce a nice shot. it's not something i'd use regularly but it really depends on the gym/dungeon. (if there was a way to quickly enable/disable the flash, i would probably be inclined to use it more. )

4mla1fn · Feb 29, 2016

Dave said:
All three of those are flash? Fast recharge!

yes, flash on all three. 17-55mm, 1/500, f2.8, iso 400, flash power was probably 3/8ths (i don't see this in the exif).

4mla1fn · Feb 29, 2016

tongki said:
so, I set the quick menu into flash setting and enable / disable the flash from the quick menu, it is the fastest way for my setup

yup, i agree. my post though is suggesting it would be faster to enable/disable from a button set in a custom control with the benefits i listed earlier. meh, at least canon could make it an available option; maybe i could be a firmware update (an require no hardware changes). where's magic lantern for the mark II??

tongki · Feb 29, 2016

nah, I don't need that, I do all my work 99,9% using flash

4mla1fn said:
tongki said:

so, I set the quick menu into flash setting and enable / disable the flash from the quick menu, it is the fastest way for my setup

Click to expand...

yup, i agree. my post though is suggesting it would be faster to enable/disable from a button set in a custom control with the benefits i listed earlier. meh, at least canon could make it an available option; maybe i could be a firmware update (an require no hardware changes). where's magic lantern for the mark II??

Dave · Feb 29, 2016

4mla1fn said:
Dave said:

All three of those are flash? Fast recharge!

Click to expand...

yes, flash on all three. 17-55mm, 1/500, f2.8, iso 400, flash power was probably 3/8ths (i don't see this in the exif).

While my Speedlite 420 EX still works great, I suspect an upgrade will be in order when/if I buy an 80D or 7DM2.

Another lens to tempt me!

flooder · Feb 29, 2016

The lighting in that gym looks bad so I guess flash could be used, to each his own, I can't imagine using a speedlight. I could see using a stobe mounted in the ceiling or something but that is me.

The 7D2 works great for sports at ISO 3200-5000 and keep your shutter in the 800-1000 range. Just my opinion.

Make sure you check about volleyball before using flash. In Ohio, the OSHAA does not allow flash for volleyball and swimming, they are the only two sports that prohibit the use of flash.

- Marvin

UsedCoffeeGrounds

Powered by SmugMug

www.usedcoffeebeans.com

4mla1fn · Feb 29, 2016

flooder said:
The lighting in that gym looks bad so I guess flash could be used, to each his own, I can't imagine using a speedlight. I could see using a stobe mounted in the ceiling or something but that is me.

yes, that college gym where the championship was played was dark; worse than the highschool's gym! strobes would be ideal but i don't own any nor am i trying to make money with my shots; just shooting for the enjoyment of the kids and other parents.

flooder said:
The 7D2 works great for sports at ISO 3200-5000 and keep your shutter in the 800-1000 range. Just my opinion.

thanks. i've been as high as 1/800 with a f2.8 but the ISO sometimes runs higher than 5000, depending on the venue. one thing i've learned is i really need to get a fast (f1.4 or f1.8) prime. this kind of shooting has been a great learning experience.

flooder said:
Make sure you check about volleyball before using flash. In Ohio, the OSHAA does not allow flash for volleyball and swimming, they are the only two sports that prohibit the use of flash.

roger. i sure would suck to be called out by a ref in front of everyone. i hoping the fast prime will remove the need for flash.

jfan · Mar 1, 2016

I'm not sure that I'd be using flash under the basket. That has to be distracting to the players.

7dm2: how to quickly enable/disable flash firing?

Well-known member

Forum Pro

Well-known member

Forum Pro

Mark B.

Guest

Well-known member

Forum Enthusiast

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Forum Enthusiast

Well-known member

Forum Enthusiast

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts