Tips on using ST-E2 and 420EX

**baranne** · 12th Jan 2006, 16:36

Hi guys... recently bought the 2 items above and playing around with taking fish shots...

however I noticed that I consistently get overexposed shots of the fishes... could it be that I held the flash too close to the fish when taking the shots? What I did in such cases is to change the shutter speed and reduced the aperture opening. Is this the right way? Any practical tips on how to maximize the use of these items?

Sorry for so many questions.. just eager to see how to improve my shots...

**hwchoy** · 12th Jan 2006, 17:01

where you put your flash? you using full manual mode? have you checked your flash compensation on the camera (which model).

yes you can increased the shutter speed, but keep the aperture to an appropriate value (8-20) depending on the working distance and size of fish, because you want to have enough DOF.

**baranne** · 12th Jan 2006, 17:08

Originally Posted by hwchoy

where you put your flash? you using full manual mode? have you checked your flash compensation on the camera (which model).

yes you can increased the shutter speed, but keep the aperture to an appropriate value (8-20) depending on the working distance and size of fish, because you want to have enough DOF.

I tried holding the flash above the fish, above the camera. Also tried once tying it above the tank.

My camera is 350D. When I set the flash compensation, would it change the strength flash as well when used wirelessly? Doesn't it just assume that all shots would be taken at the smallest focal length and thus tries to flash the furthest distance? Not sure if I remembered reading this correctly. Maybe I should go check this out tonight.

Aperture is usually kept 8 and above. I do get enough DOF, but it seems that I need to change my taking technique by taking into consideration the external flash's light.

**hwchoy** · 12th Jan 2006, 18:00

when you adjust the flash compensation it is communicated to the flash. bear in mind I am using it with a 550EX but probably behaves the same.

when used wirelessly, the flash (again referring to the 550EX) goes into manual mode. you can select the focal length you want but if you use 24mm it will give a wider cone of coverage. also check if you are using the flash with the diffuser out.

I use a plastic grid (buy from C32

to hold the flash above the water.

here you can see what I mean…

**Justikanz** · 12th Jan 2006, 23:21

I'm learning from the thread but Choy's difformis (It is Hygrophila difformis, right?

) tank sure is distracting... Nice!

**benny** · 12th Jan 2006, 23:26

Joe,

Show us a picture and the EXIF data for each of the 2 set up.

Cheers,

**hwchoy** · 13th Jan 2006, 02:29

Originally Posted by Justikanz

I'm learning from the thread but Choy's difformis (It is Hygrophila difformis, right?

) tank sure is distracting... Nice!

I use it to create a "curtan" for the backdrop and to encourage the fish to swim to the front. normally the base should be fairly bare but I have not been trimming.

**baranne** · 13th Jan 2006, 04:37

Originally Posted by hwchoy

I use a plastic grid (buy from C32

to hold the flash above the water.

here you can see what I mean…

Choy, now I get a visual of how you do it. I think you had previously mentioned it to me before but I keep wondering how best to place the flash above the tank. I tried taping it to the light and it almost fell into the water once...

I also see that you guys use a small tank for taking fishes. Think I shall go C328 and buy a small tank to setup for fish taking.

Originally Posted by benny

Joe,

Show us a picture and the EXIF data for each of the 2 set up.

Cheers,

Benny, I do not get what you mean by the 2 setups?