Manual mode: Using Flash

[Binz1]

I'm new to this forum. I 've been using 40D for 4months now and I have a situation where I seem could not find a setting for night creative photography.

The Question: How do I set the flash to fire at the end of the shutter may it be bulb, or Tv mode? (I am just using the built-in flash as I don't own ext. flash yet.)

Would appreciate you advise. Thanks!

[hammie]

2nd curtain sync?

[charlesleong]

it's under custom functions IIRC

[Binz1]

I guess I need to read more of that IIRC. Charlesleong, don't you mind tell more of that custom settting?

Thanks for the thoughts, hammie & charlesleong!

[CYRN]

depends on cam/flash combi...

you may need to set it on the flash itself.

[Binz1]

At this point, I have only tried the 2nd curtain as hammie has mentioned. The flash did fire at the end of the shutter, however there the flash still fires at the beginning. I can work around w/ it. I wish it will skip the first.

cyrn,
I am limited currently with the built-in flash. But have you done this so with ext flash?

[grantyale]

It's in the custom functions.
If you have, say a 430EX, there's a button on the flash to toggle among normal/2nd curtain/FP flash.

[J-Chan]

the first flash in 2nd sync you see at the start of the exposure is the ETTL metering flash, which happens a micro-second before the shutter opens.. just press the FEL button (*) to let the cam take the reading first if you don't want that preflash..

[Binz1]

Hello J-Chan, you just saved me from misunderstanding that first flash fire!!! Big thanks to you!

To all who generously put your thoughts here... really appreciate your help!

So, the conclusion is that with my limited resources, meaning no external flash, I can still do the flash fire at the end of the shutter just by setting at the 2nd curtain + * (as optional). And of course, might have been easier to do with external flash.

Thanks to all!

[J-Chan]

actually, external flashes still do emit that preflash on 2nd curtain.. but then you can just set it to manual power, something the built-in can't do..

[grantyale]

Originally Posted by J-Chan actually, external flashes still do emit that preflash on 2nd curtain.. but then you can just set it to manual power, something the built-in can't do..

To add to this: you can press (and hold if necessary) the * button with flash raised to perform the flash exposure lock (FEL). This way, upon shutter release, there is only one flash emitted.

Curious why Canon don't allow manual flash control with the built-in flash. Even the cheapo D40 allows this.

[Binz1]

Thanks guys once again for your generosity in sharing ideas! Closing now the thread.