on-camera flash for canon

I recently got a Canon 1DsMKII and the results are somewhat
disappointing when using flash whether full or fill. The shots
typically come out "blasted", just too much light. The flash units
that Ive tried are older non-dedicated except for one:

Metz 60CT-1
Sunpack 611
Metz 28AF (canon)

First 2 are ones that I used for my medium format that had great
results. The 2 were used in manual mode and the 28AF in the various
modes that it offers. I got this flash mainly for a lightweight fill
but the results are very unpredictable. Perhaps a Canon system flash
would yield better results? The Canon website shows some limitation
for this camera with 2 of the 3 flashes that are offered.

Any recommendations would be appreciated

rickm@galaxy.nsc.com wrote:
> I recently got a Canon 1DsMKII and the results are somewhat
> disappointing when using flash whether full or fill. The shots
> typically come out "blasted", just too much light. The flash units
> that Ive tried are older non-dedicated except for one:
>
> Metz 60CT-1
> Sunpack 611
> Metz 28AF (canon)
>
> First 2 are ones that I used for my medium format that had great
> results. The 2 were used in manual mode and the 28AF in the various
> modes that it offers. I got this flash mainly for a lightweight fill
> but the results are very unpredictable. Perhaps a Canon system flash
> would yield better results? The Canon website shows some limitation
> for this camera with 2 of the 3 flashes that are offered.
>
> Any recommendations would be appreciated

Ummm, try stopping down the lens a bit? The results should be
completelty predictable using the little chart printed on the back of
the flash (ISO/aperture/distance).

With a non-dedicated flash, the camera has no control over the flash
output and no way of compensating for it; the problem you're having, in
other words, is NOT the fault of the camera. With a dedicated Canon
Speedlite flash, the camera will meter the light and control the flash's
output appropriately.

rickm@galaxy.nsc.com wrote:
> I recently got a Canon 1DsMKII and the results are somewhat
> disappointing when using flash whether full or fill. The shots
> typically come out "blasted", just too much light. The flash units
> that Ive tried are older non-dedicated except for one:
>
> Metz 60CT-1
> Sunpack 611
> Metz 28AF (canon)
>
> First 2 are ones that I used for my medium format that had great
> results. The 2 were used in manual mode and the 28AF in the various
> modes that it offers. I got this flash mainly for a lightweight fill
> but the results are very unpredictable. Perhaps a Canon system flash
> would yield better results? The Canon website shows some limitation
> for this camera with 2 of the 3 flashes that are offered.
>
> Any recommendations would be appreciated

First are you sure those flashes are all compatible with your current
camera? I believe your camera requires a low voltage trigger voltage, and
as I recall, the 611 has a high voltage trigger voltage that can damage the
camera.

Next, remember that if the flash is not compatible with the specific
camera you have, it will at best have reduced automatic options. Are you
sure you are using the proper procedure for the flash camera combination?
Start with the camera instruction manual.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

<rickm@galaxy.nsc.com> wrote in message
news:1180970321.477365.103420@o11g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>I recently got a Canon 1DsMKII and the results are somewhat
> disappointing when using flash whether full or fill. The shots
> typically come out "blasted", just too much light. The flash units
> that Ive tried are older non-dedicated except for one:
>
> Metz 60CT-1
> Sunpack 611
> Metz 28AF (canon)
>
> First 2 are ones that I used for my medium format that had great
> results. The 2 were used in manual mode and the 28AF in the various
> modes that it offers. I got this flash mainly for a lightweight fill
> but the results are very unpredictable. Perhaps a Canon system flash
> would yield better results? The Canon website shows some limitation
> for this camera with 2 of the 3 flashes that are offered.
>
> Any recommendations would be appreciated
>

These flash guns will give full power so you need to use manual exposure.
The histogram will help you here. Assuming your subject sits still for long
enough; meter the scene then set a couple of stops of underexposure (manual
setting) and see what you get with the flash. Keep dropping the exposure
until the histogram looks right. This will probably not give fill flash type
exposures because the full power of the flash gun is probably too much for
just fill. Drop the flash power by using a diffuser (Stophen or white
hankie) and use the histogram again.

The easiest way is to buy an EX580 (mkII by now) - I find it does an
excellent job of fill and has all plenty of exposure adjustment built in.

John

Let me answer both questions here.

1) I also use a Wein protector which is suppose to protect the
camera.

2) If The Metz 60 and Sunpack 611 have various modes and are
designed to manually set the exposure to say 60 @ f8 , set the flash
to the same and magic happens. The results are not wonderful but
perhaps Im still expecting "film" results. Now the Metz 28 is a
dedicated flash and the results are again not what I would expect but
still on the hot side. This is a very small light duty with limited
functions but still I would expect some consistancy. I was looking
thru the Canon website at their flashes to see which they recommend
for this camera and the entries on 2 of the 3 offered had "not
possible" and a few other things that werent very assuring.