420 EX flash exposure problem.

[Taikonaut]

Hi All,

Whenever I use the external Speedlight 420 EX external flash on the 350XT the pictures turns out underexpose compared to the onboard flash. What is the problem and is there a reason why this happens, is there a solution without increasing the exposure lock?

 

[Vic Ferrari]

Hi All,
Whenever I use the external Speedlight 420 EX external flash on the
350XT the pictures turns out underexpose compared to the onboard
flash. What is the problem and is there a reason why this happens,
is there a solution without increasing the exposure lock?

I've never heard of this problem. I don't think increase the FEC will help, because your built in flash is OK.

Did you use direct flash or bounce flash? When using bounce flash, if the ceiling is too high or not white, the pictures might be underexposed, because the flash is not strong enough.

Otherwise, borrow another 420EX and try out. Your flash might be defectived from the manufacture.

--
Vic (Arlington, Texas - USA)

 

[Daniel Arnoff]

When you use the Flash outdoor there are many reasons to get some unexpected results.

Maybe if you post one of those pictures the forum can evaluate possibles sources of error...I don't think is a hardware problem here, I have 420EX too and I spend several shots to learn the best way to use it in outdoors.
Regards

daniel

 

[Taikonaut]

It happens indoors and outdoors, when I say underexposed its just dont appear as bright as onboard flash, its almost as if the camera is abit too quick to coincide with the flash on the 420EX if you know what I mean. I know that I can slow the shutter speed but that isnt a real solution.

 

[Michael Crowder]

Try putting it on "M" manual. Set the shutter and F stop to what you want. I usually use shutter 80 and aperature F8. Take the picture. It works to perfection for me.

 

[sandhill]

Hi All,
Whenever I use the external Speedlight 420 EX external flash on the
350XT the pictures turns out underexpose compared to the onboard
flash. What is the problem and is there a reason why this happens,
is there a solution without increasing the exposure lock?

Hi Taikonaut,

I agree with Michael Crowder. Use the manual exposure. My 420 EX does a lot better job than the internal flash. Check out this candid shot of my grandaughter who visited recently. This was shot with the 350XT- Canon 50 mm f/1.8 and the 420 EX with StoFen bounced off the ceiling. Settings were in manual, shutter speed at 1/200th, Aperture at f/5, ISO 100, with FEC at +1.
Regards,
Jim E.

 

[photoguynorth]

The built-in flash makes for harsh lighting, and the background tends to be darker. Bouncing flash (or even the 420EX direct) will soften the lighting, and so it may appear 'not as bright'. Try taking a picture of something fairly neutral, then compare the resulting exposure in PS. There may not be a problem at all - just perception.
--
Come and look at my ego site (I mean website)
http://www.outnumbered.ca

 

[Taikonaut]

So are you saying using the 420 EX becomes more dependent on FEC lock?

I still feel the external flash dont seem to time perfectly with the shutter speed and although I am getting the flash the image turns out underexposed compared to the built in flash.

 

[smroid]

My XT is back at Canon being service because external speedlights don't work properly on it. I know because I tried two different flash models on my XT, both didn't work properly, but both of the flash units worked fine on a friend's 10d. Built-in flash was fine though.

Good luck,

-Steve

 

[Taikonaut]

When you said didnt work properly, in what way?

 

[smroid]

• focus assist lamp does not light
• no ETTL metering pre-flash (emits just the main flash)
• flash does not show/track zoom setting
• in FP mode cannot set camera shutter faster than 200
• inconsistent flash exposure results

It's as if the camera body and the flash unit are not communicating.

When you said didnt work properly, in what way?

 

[Taikonaut]

My 420ex dont appear to do E-TTL pre flash either but the focus lamp in low light seems to be functioning. I tried the 420ex on my 300D and it does the same, no pre-flash, certainly looks like it may be the flash and not the camer body. Could this explain why I am getting underexposed images?

 

[smroid]

The E-TTL pre-flash is kind of hard to see, because the time interval between the pre-flash and the main flash is quite short.

You've tried the 420ex on two bodies, and seen the same underexposure behavior. Next thing for you to try is borrow another speedlight and try it on your camera and see if it works better.

Good luck!

-Steve

My 420ex dont appear to do E-TTL pre flash either but the focus
lamp in low light seems to be functioning. I tried the 420ex on my
300D and it does the same, no pre-flash, certainly looks like it
may be the flash and not the camer body. Could this explain why I
am getting underexposed images?

 

[Taikonaut]

When shooting in brightly lit room or daylight I dont get a pre-flash on either the 420ex or the built in flash, but in darker lit room and in the dark I definately notice one or several pre-flash using the built in flash but no such pre flash were present using the 420ex.

 

[larry in San Diego]

When I shoot using bounced flash, the FEC set at +1 seems to be best. However, I need to set FEC=+1-2/3 for direct flash.