Hi,
This is my first post. I am not overly technical, but know some of the basics.
However I could do with some advice/clarification that I have understood some of my equipment.
I have a Canon 350d camera (with the usual standard zoom lens), a 580EX Mk2 flash and today I took delivery of a 50mm f/1.8 mk2 lens. I purchased the lens because I wanted something fairly inexpensive - which could take reasonable portraits with a small depth of field.
OK, so here goes. The flash confuses me. Every time I take photos indoors, I get very dark backgrounds. I have done some research - and I think I now understand the settings a little better to avoid this - please can you confirm that the following points are true:
1. If I take pictures indoors in fully-auto mode (green square) my backgrounds turn out dark because the camera forces 60th sec, and the camera puts all its attention on the main subject true/false?
2. If I take pics indoors, Av/Tv works with the object AND the background - but if the aperture or shutter number flashes, there is still not enough light or speed (also, if I am in Tv mode, do I ignore the flashing aperture number, and assume the flash will sort everything out?)
3, If I decide to use the camera outside (with the flash) - but set the flash to "high sync mode" - and use the camera in Av mode - the flash works as a "fill in" and no longer tries to light everything up
The above points are my understanding - please can you clarify I'm on the right track. I know the flash is capable of much more, but I just want to do basic stuff to start with!
Thanks so much - hopefully when I get more experience, I can help others out in return!!
This is my first post. I am not overly technical, but know some of the basics.
However I could do with some advice/clarification that I have understood some of my equipment.
I have a Canon 350d camera (with the usual standard zoom lens), a 580EX Mk2 flash and today I took delivery of a 50mm f/1.8 mk2 lens. I purchased the lens because I wanted something fairly inexpensive - which could take reasonable portraits with a small depth of field.
OK, so here goes. The flash confuses me. Every time I take photos indoors, I get very dark backgrounds. I have done some research - and I think I now understand the settings a little better to avoid this - please can you confirm that the following points are true:
1. If I take pictures indoors in fully-auto mode (green square) my backgrounds turn out dark because the camera forces 60th sec, and the camera puts all its attention on the main subject true/false?
2. If I take pics indoors, Av/Tv works with the object AND the background - but if the aperture or shutter number flashes, there is still not enough light or speed (also, if I am in Tv mode, do I ignore the flashing aperture number, and assume the flash will sort everything out?)
3, If I decide to use the camera outside (with the flash) - but set the flash to "high sync mode" - and use the camera in Av mode - the flash works as a "fill in" and no longer tries to light everything up
The above points are my understanding - please can you clarify I'm on the right track. I know the flash is capable of much more, but I just want to do basic stuff to start with!
Thanks so much - hopefully when I get more experience, I can help others out in return!!