Difficulties using my G10 with 430EX/ST E2

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Phil
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I went out with the wife and 2 boys yesterday and thought I'd take my G10 with me for a change. So I took my 430EX and ST E2 to try some off camera flash ;)

I thought (maybe incorrectly) that as it was 'all canon' it would work in a similar way to the DSLR setup......

In Av/Tv with the 430 on the camera, all is well :clap:

However, where I thought I could switch the G10 over to M and set the camera to 100th F5.6 200ISO (for example) and let the flash tell me the 'effective range' (some TTL trickery), boy was I wrong.....

It all jumps into Manual mode...... I have to set the power of the flash......

This is for both bounced and direct flash.....in Manual mode on the Camera....

I read last night that the G10 is comaptible with the range of Speedlights and ST E2, but it mentioned the 430 EXii, rather that the 430EX that I am using.....

Would it be something as simple as that ?

Are there any other G10 users out there that have success with what I am trying to achieve ?

Appreciate your thoughts/knowledge on this matter

Cheers

Phil
 
any g10 users with similar problems?
 
Not quite sure what you are trying to do and what settings you have on the ST-E2 and the gun...

But you won't get 'effective range' with the flash off-camera because the system has no idea where it is or where it's pointed.
 
Hmmm..... Probably not explained myself very clearly there !! :nono:

OK, I just had a little play ti remind me what I think is happening......

1. Flash on DSLR

With it all set to TTL, I manage to use it in all settings, Av/Tv/M etc.... both direct and bounce - FANTASTIC.

2. Flash Off DSLR using ST E2

As above - Fantastic.
I can hold the flash in one hand...... move in close / move away and the ETTL balances the exposure :cool:

3. Flash on G10

As above.... the TTL trickery seems to work and regardless of distance.... I seem to get a reasonable exposure....

4. Off Camera flash with ST E2 on G10

There seems to be no Canon TTL trickery happening and I need to manually adjust all settings to suit.....
Where as I could just set aperture/Shutter/ISO and let the 'system' perform its magic.... I have to be mindful of the power setting of the flash....

I was just wondering whether there is a difference with the new EXii range that work better with the G range of cameras...

Cheers

Phil
 
Hmmm..... Probably not explained myself very clearly there !! :nono:

OK, I just had a little play ti remind me what I think is happening......

1. Flash on DSLR

With it all set to TTL, I manage to use it in all settings, Av/Tv/M etc.... both direct and bounce - FANTASTIC.

2. Flash Off DSLR using ST E2

As above - Fantastic.
I can hold the flash in one hand...... move in close / move away and the ETTL balances the exposure :cool:

3. Flash on G10

As above.... the TTL trickery seems to work and regardless of distance.... I seem to get a reasonable exposure....

4. Off Camera flash with ST E2 on G10

There seems to be no Canon TTL trickery happening and I need to manually adjust all settings to suit.....
Where as I could just set aperture/Shutter/ISO and let the 'system' perform its magic.... I have to be mindful of the power setting of the flash....

I was just wondering whether there is a difference with the new EXii range that work better with the G range of cameras...

Cheers

Phil

Sounds like you are doing everything right. I just got this from the DPReview test of the G10: "...compatibility with Canon's 220EX, 430EX and 580EX II guns (and several dedicated flashguns from independent suppliers). With Canon's flashguns you'll get most of the features you would using an SLR, including power zooming." Which confirms what we both expected - that Canon G-series cameras work fine with EX guns.

While there are some minor operational differences between the 580EX and EX2 guns what I'm thinking here is that it's maybe the ST-E2 which is the problem. It's an old design, certainly well pre-G10, and I'm guessing it's not communicating with the G10 properly. I think if maybe you tried a 580EX2 as master instead, it would work. Canon really need to update the ST-E2.

That's only a guess. Tricky sort of question. I think a call to Canon will confirm.
 
Sounds like you are doing everything right. I just got this from the DPReview test of the G10: "...compatibility with Canon's 220EX, 430EX and 580EX II guns (and several dedicated flashguns from independent suppliers). With Canon's flashguns you'll get most of the features you would using an SLR, including power zooming." Which confirms what we both expected - that Canon G-series cameras work fine with EX guns.

While there are some minor operational differences between the 580EX and EX2 guns what I'm thinking here is that it's maybe the ST-E2 which is the problem. It's an old design, certainly well pre-G10, and I'm guessing it's not communicating with the G10 properly. I think if maybe you tried a 580EX2 as master instead, it would work. Canon really need to update the ST-E2.

That's only a guess. Tricky sort of question. I think a call to Canon will confirm.


Richard,

Thanks for taking the time to have a look around ;)

I was looking for an excuse to upgrade to the EXii's aswell :D



aha.... Alistair...

That is the answer I was hoping wouldn't come...... :(



I don't have any EXii's but know a man who does (GarethE) maybe he would let me test them out when I go and get my 28-70mm off him soon.....

Richard, I just gotta tell you this while I remember......
Gareth Borrowed my lens to cover a shoot for a client......... a few days later he rang me....... I could hear some humour in his voice...... followed by " your lens is OK... there's nothing to worry about..... "
While covering the Wales GB..... he put his beloved 5dmkII down :bonk: (with a 16-35mm attached) ONLY to see it roll down the banking and dissappear over the edge.....
It was later found a few inches deep in puddle......:bang:

So maybe I'll find out this week if his camera 'made it to A&E in time'

Cheers

Phil
 
^^^ :eek:

Just found this on Canon site. Seems like I was talking poo.
"...compatibility with any Canon EX Speedlite flashgun and the Speedlite ST-E2 transmitter is built into the Powershot G series. The G10 is no exception..."

Dirty contacts a possibility? Need to try a 580EXII ;)
 
NICE find!!

Upgrade time me thinks.... Mwwwwhhhaaaaaaaaaaa

Phil
 
Looks Like Alostair was indeed correct (not that I douted you)

I emailed Canon the other day and got this response:


Thank you for contacting Canon.

I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with your Canon product.

With reference to your enquiry, can I draw your attention to p.265 of your User Guide for the PowerShot G10, which indicates Speedlite usage, except in the M Mode. This is not an SLR and you cannot expect the same functionality. I apologise for the inconvenience.

I hope this information is of use to you. If you have any other queries, or need any other information, please do not hesitate to reply directly to this email, and quoting the reference number:- 123456

Kind Regards,

Belinda Wood



I've hilighted the sarcastic bit ... lol

Well it BL00DY cost as much as a DSLR !! :thumbsdown:

Ah well..... will have to work around it then...... It would have been anice to have......

Does the G11 do it ?

Phil
 
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