Thanks Christine

Don

Don.

I have run some tests with the Flash, I am glad now I did. I have been using it in the wrong mode. There are three settings No1, No2 and detect. I found the detect was very fiddly to use because when the camera goes into standby I have to detect all over again. I have been using it in no 1 mode, I saw and heard that the flash was firing so thought nothing more about it. Any photo's I took where lit up by the on camera flash. Today I decided to completely cover the the on camera flash in the forward direction with my hand and just leave enough of a gap to fire the slave, all I got was black pictures, so tried the curtain sync in a different mode still no joy. Then I put it into the no2 setting. This one must be the correct setting for my camera.

I have made a temporary diffuser for the flash as you can see in the photo and put a plastic top over the on camera flash. I have taken lots of photo's all at different f stops and have now found the ideal setting for various distances.

I have included two photo's one of my hall 13ft long 200s, F5 this was done with the diffusers and one of a vase of flowers at 6ft 200s, f8. I have some I took of Mario but he won't let me use them they have also turned out very well.

Phew!!! Glad that is over. It could have been a big mistake.:eek:

Christine

Glad its all turned out OK Christine,

My reading of the instructions and what I managed to glean off the net infers that no2 is the correct setting.

Very impressed with the diffuser. It overcomes any colour problems with bouncing off a ceiling and is very versatile.
Did you try without the diffuser over the pop up once you had solved the no.2 setting ? As the pop up is a lot lower power I would not think you need it. If you do find you have to use it, you need to drill holes to get some air circulation in there, as the flash will generate a fair bit of heat that needs to be got rid of.

Top job all round.

You should start a money savings tip thread with this.

Don

Thanks Don I will do like you say and put a few holes in the flash it may stop any overheating, I am quite surprised how powerful the little pop up is but I wouldn't want to rely on it. The slave flash I found was to harsh pointing straight ahead even on a 1/4 power it was much better with the diffuser. I am going to make a proper diffuser out of a white plastic milk carton, the one I used was made out of the box I get my photo paper in, I don't like to buying something if I can make it.:D

Christine

Blue Peter badge in the post :D

Don

Christine,

Stephen posted this link in the flash thread ages ago. Something to give you some design ideas.
http://www.toddwalker.net/e20/flashtest/

Don

Thanks Don. I forgot about that.

Don I said I would make a diffuser.:D I made it out of a paraffin bottle

Wow Christine.

Massive reflector. I bet the light from this is nice and soft. Should work well with the pop up.

Have to post a pic before you get your badge. :D

Don

Don this was the only thing I could think of to take I had the settings on F10 200s and cover the built in flash.

Just added another one there is still very harsh light considering its bounce perhaps I will have a go at putting a matt finish on the reflector it maybe a bit to shiny.