Any Canon users have the 580EX II speedlight?

[LensBaby]

If so, can you explain it to me????? The manual does NOT help one bit. It is so confusing to me.

[directshooter]

Yes i use to have one quite a while ago and quickly changed it for a metz...simply becuase i believe metz make flash , as hassleblad specialise in cameras?

The speedlight range for all canon systems is completely dedicated with attl and ttl metering , but getting to grips with manual settings ..you need to work out subject to lens ratios/distances to set correct apertues? ' something that is quite simple to do.. But in saying that you mite aswell use the dedicated system as you can still control light output by + or - compensation , something very handy for fill light ot bounce light?

Si.

[rasmussen4]

Yeah, the manual for that thing was kind of useless cause it never gave you very many real-life scenarios to apply all the technical jargon to. The best use of the thing is in manual mode, using the FEC feature +/-, and bouncing the light. I also love the ability to link multiple flashes with it as slaves, even down to the 420ex.

Here's a nice little guide from canon on using the flash -

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/control...&articleID=946

And again, another offering from Canon, cause they realized their manual was terrible.

http://web.canon.jp/imaging/flashwork/index.html

Hope that helps!

[jerryph]

First, go here:
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/control...&articleID=946

This is an online mini tutorial that gave me enough insight on how to change modes for your flash, should help you do it as well. Omit the 1D mkIII part. Just set flash to manual or eTTL mode.

Next you can visit my blog here for basic flash usage:

http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2008/03/2-flash.html

Last, to use your Pocket Wizards with your flash, you will not be able to be in eTTL mode on the flash. Set it to manual, attach your PW via sync cable and slide the 2nd PW into the hot shoe of your camera. Make sure they are on the same channel and that one is a receiver (flash end) and one is a transmitter (camera end). your camera will likely be in full manual mode. Shutter speed should be set to your camera's maximum sync speed (1/200th, I believe?) or slower.

You can also later on learn to control the visual DOF by playing with aperture and light strength. Refer to this site for a better explanation:

http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2008...-of-light.html

Your post was not very specific, but once you get into it, and ask more specific questions, we'll look over things more in detail.

Oh, of course, don't forget to visit the www.Strobist.com site and brush up on lighting info. Specifically look for lighting 101 and 102.

[trulight]

Great question! Lensbaby - don't you use strobes alot? I don't understand that either! This thread will be helpful to me because I've been reading about how terrible the built in flash is and got a deal on the 430 EX II.