EOS-300 Fill-in-Flash+basic Flash doubt

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hi all :-)

me still a beginner...got a few doubts on using the built in flash on the EOS-300...i've been told that its worthless and i ought to get a dedicated unit...however i would like to know what exactly i can't do with it and then go in for a better one...so i've run into a few doubts on flash...

1. i went over all the manuals and online resources and got it clear that i need to set the shooting mode to Av or Tv to get fill in flash. Also that, the built in flash works E-TTL which means it should only be spewing enough light till the subject is evenly exposed and will automatically shut off supply once that is achieved. is this correct ???

2. How do i achieve fill flash in manual mode ???

3. What is slow-sync flash...i understand that this is used when i am using a slow shutter speed. what kind of situation would i be needing this ?? and which modes support this ??? does this also do the e-ttl thing or do i have to worry about compensating for the flash too when i determine the exposure settings ???

4. is it that this e-ttl thing works only in any of the auto or Av or Tv modes and not in manual mode ???? i mainly use the camera in manual mode. ( i have another P&S when i just want to click away.i bought this piece mainly coz i wanted to learn manual SLR stuff) i did read the relation between guide numbers, film speed and aperture/distance...does this mean that if i am using manual mode and i am using the built in flash to shoot a normal photograph, i will need to calculate exactly "how much flash will be needed/how much the subject will be lighted by the flash" and accordingly reduce aperture/increase shutter speed ???

i know its supposed to be pretty basic stuff...but i'm just getting a bit into the flash stuff and hence the doubts....

thanx in advance venkat

-- Venkat (venkat_p_iyer@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002

Answers

(1) Correct, except the built in flash is TTL only. Works just fine. (2) Same way as Av and Tv. Flash exposure is still automatic TTL. (3) Slow sync is simply using flash and a slow shutter speed in order to obtain some amount of ambient light in the photo. In M, Tv and Av modes you can do slow sync.

(4) Flash exposure is fully automatic in M mode.

Just note that with the built in flash, max sync speed is only 1/90. That plus the limited power of the flash means that you have a very limited effective fill flash range in bright outdoor light.

-- Kenneth Katz (socks@bestweb.net), January 10, 2002.


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