Camera settings say underexposed but pics are fine with flash?

T

Trigger happy

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Hello everyone,

I'm new here and have a question, probably a silly one.

I own a Canon 450D and if I'm in a low light situation and shoot from Aperture mode the shutter speed can be too slow (1/8, 1/4 or longer).

So I then put it onto manual choose a shutter speed of say 1/90 and an aperture of say 2.8 and the pic is (obviously) underexposed but if I use my external flashgun the pic looks ace and I've kept the shutter speed to where I want and the colours look fine but the camera settings still say the pic is underexposed when I go to take the shot.

Do I need to worry about this when the shot looks fine? Is the camera just not recognising there is a flash gun there until the shot is fired?

I'm interested in low light photography and am just getting my skills up to scratch so would appreciate some help as I'm struggling to find the answer!

Thanks,

:)
 
The camera is correctly telling you the shot is going to be underexposed based on the light it can see - at that time it cannot see the flash output so yes it is 'ignoring' the flash until you take the photo

As its an auto flash - the camera makes it send out a pre-flash to meter by then automatically adjusts the power of the flash to make a correct exposure. It works great where the subject is large in the frame and/or near the middle of your image - not so great if the subject is standing miles away or at the edge of the frame

DD
 
Thank you so much! That's cleared it up right away!

So, if I was at a wedding and took a pic of the couple using this method, the bride's dress won't get blown out will it? (I'd use bounce flash, not direct at them lol).

:)
 
Cameras do a remarkable job of using auto flash like this, and especially with bouncing the light it is less likely to blow the dress

If you have the screen on your camera set to showing flashing highlights, or blinkies as they are known, this will immediately tell you if the dress is indeed blown at all. If it is, then you need to use Exposure Compensation to adjust the flash output

The easiest way to do that is on your flash itself (read the manual !!!). Many Nikons can adjust Exp Comp in Manual mode on camera, but I understand Canons cannot, so adjusting the flash is the simpler option

DD
 
Once again thanks for your help!

I have a flash gun made by Jessops, the ''manual" is one piece of paper lol.

I just checked my camera and in manual mode I can adjust the flash exposure compensation by going into the menu (can adjust up to +/- 2 stops).

I can also go into the menu and then choose flash control (with my external flash attached) and click on External flash func. setting and adjust the exp. comp by +/- 2 stops from there.

Does it really matter which one I adjust the exposure from? (did some test shots and they look the same with both settings).

Thanks!

:)
 
strumstrum said:
have you tried upping the ISO for non flash low light use? what lens you using? a fast prime is excellent for low light work..
Click to expand...

Sorry I forgot to add - up the ISO inside and still use flash is often a winning combination :thumbs:

It allows in a bit more of the ambient to show guests at the Wedding, lets the flash work less hard and so recycle faster too, and light-fall-off means the exposure overall will be less stark and more pleasing

DD
 
Yep I've upper the ISO to 800 and the speed is still around the 1/8 point if I'm using Aperture mode. I can only go up to 1600 but it's noisy at that level. I need a new body!

I have a 50mm 1.8 prime and was testing it out on that. Apart from that I have the kit lens but I'm saving up to buy the 16-35 f2.8 and the 24-70 f2.8 lenses.

Although I'm a bit unsure whether to just get the 18-55 f2.8 for now, but I do want to buy a ff camera in the future so obviously if I buy the EF lenses now it won't be a waste of money when I upgrade my camera.

:)
 
Trigger happy said:
Once again thanks for your help!

I have a flash gun made by Jessops, the ''manual" is one piece of paper lol.

I just checked my camera and in manual mode I can adjust the flash exposure compensation by going into the menu (can adjust up to +/- 2 stops).

I can also go into the menu and then choose flash control (with my external flash attached) and click on External flash func. setting and adjust the exp. comp by +/- 2 stops from there.

Does it really matter which one I adjust the exposure from? (did some test shots and they look the same with both settings).

Thanks!

:)
Click to expand...



If its all Manual then not really, adjusting either should be fine (unless you have a Nikon then don't use Exp Comp - just adjust the shutter speed/ISO/aperture)

Don't forget that in Manual the exposure will change as the couple come towards you or go further away - an auto flash would compensate automatically

Have fun :thumbs:

Gotto go shoot a Wedding now :)

DD
 
strumstrum said:
I dont if what I do is technically right or not but it works for me, when using flash and in manual on the camera I just set the speed to 180-200 and tweak the aperture to get the desired exposure?
Click to expand...

Nothing that gives you correct exposure where you need it to be correct can be called 'wrong' - but for me, the driving force of any image is the amount of DoF I want/need for the look of the shot - so the Aperture comes first in my consideration & setting

Shutter speed & ISO then are set according to how much ambient light I want too, or if I'm wanting a bit of motion blur in 1st dance for example

The biggest problem with shooting Manual flash in an active event, such as during a 1st dance at a Wedding, is that as the couple move around the floor the exposure changes and you can't keep up with the changes in Manual. This is where auto flash excels cos it can keep up :)

DD
 
Have a look through the menus under custom functions. On my 500D, and I expect the 450D, there is an option to restrict the possible shutter time in Av mode.
Flash Sync. Speed in Av mode:
*Auto
*1/200 - 1/60 sec. auto
*1/200 sec. fixed.
Using the 1/200 - 1/60 will avoid really slow shutter speeds and allow some ambiant light to show.
I've only had a quick play at home but it seems to work. Hth.
 
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