ETTL and ETTL2

[CYRN]

I'm confounded with ETTL2 flash metering as the exposure is all over the scale... so after some web search, I found something interesting...tot to share it here.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=101149

There are parts of the article that I'm still confused. Anyone with similar experience with Canon's flash system, especially with reflective surfaces?

[Ah Pao]

Which part of the E-TTL II system confounded you? Is it that totally unpredictable? Do state your experiences so that we can help you overcome it - I'm sure there are workarounds.

As I know it consistently underexposes, hence I just set +1/3 FEC as my default setting.

[CYRN]

Originally Posted by Ah Pao Which part of the E-TTL II system confounded you? Is it that totally unpredictable? Do state your experiences so that we can help you overcome it - I'm sure there are workarounds. As I know it consistently underexposes, hence I just set +1/3 FEC as my default setting.

Thanks.

I've sorted out some of my own issues... but need to try out this weekend to confirm. (basically it dosen't allow blown out in what the system considers to be part of the subject) Thus if you wear something white or reflective the flash is likely to make sure the "brightest" portion is just before totally blown, this means sacrificing subject's mid-tone exposure.

Still, I'm confused with the relation between the ETTL II and the metering mode selected.

Cuz on 10D I dun see much difference regardless of the metering modes I selected... but now with spot metering, the flash seems to have a mind of it's own.

[freelancer]

Originally Posted by CYRN Still, I'm confused with the relation between the ETTL II and the metering mode selected. Cuz on 10D I dun see much difference regardless of the metering modes I selected... but now with spot metering, the flash seems to have a mind of it's own.

E-TTL2 is independent of the metering mode selected. On the 20D, you can set the custom function to be evaluative or average. If you use the * button to FEL, the metering mode is weighted centre.

Note that E-TTL2 also benefits from lenses with distance information. Notably, the 50/1.4 & 50/1.8 do not have lens distance information

[hwchoy]

which ETTL-II mode do you recommend? evaluative or average?

[freelancer]

Evaluative gives the best results most of the time. And FEL when I need the flash to be more centre weighted