Do I have to be in Manual mode to work an external flash?

[tropikal]

I have a Canon XTi and am looking into buying an external flash. I'm not a super expert to use Manuel mode yet, so I shoot and use the Tv mode (Shutter priority).

The flash I'm currently looking at is the YONGNUO Flash Speedlite YN-460II. Should I be looking at somethig with a dedicated E-TTL if I'm going to continue using Tv mode? Or should I start learning Manual mode if I'm even serious about buying one at all?

[zona5101]

ettl would make flash much easier... but people have been shooting manual flash for decades so it's not like it's some black art. Just need to understand in your head what your camera electronics are doing...

[jdepould]

Check out strobist.com if you want to know more about working with manual flash.

[prabbit237]

Originally Posted by tropikal

The flash I'm currently looking at is the YONGNUO Flash Speedlite YN-460II.

Personally, I'd pay the extra $30 or so and get the YN-465 instead (in fact, that's what I DID do when getting my first new flash. I've got a couple of OLD ones that were given to me that have only one power level and no TTL or anything.) It'd allow ya to use it in TTL mode on-camera (OR in manual mode if you'd like) or in manual mode off-camera (with a wireless flash trigger such as these PT-04 Flash Unit Wireless Radio Trigger Receiver Set - eBay (item 130500872976 end time Apr-22-11 00:36:55 PDT).)

Almost forgot: this site has pretty in-depth reviews about the Yongnuo flashes. http://speedlights.net/

[tropikal]

I feel you Mike. Will def get the extra $30 and get the YN-465.

Thanks for the help and info guys.

[inkista]

Just one note of caution: if you're shooting in Tv and using faster shutter speeds, be aware that the max. sync speed of your camera is 1/200s. Going any faster than that isn't going to possible without high-speed sync, and none of the YN flashes (even the ones with eTTL capability) can do that.

I would also say that using Tv while shooting with a flash is limiting yourself, somewhat. The Canon flash system (cameras and flashes together), assume that if you're in Tv or Av mode, that you only want to use a flash for fill. If you want to change the ambient/flash balance to be more flash than ambient, you're going to have to a) shoot in full Auto or P mode; b) shoot in Av and monkey with the custom settings, or c) shoot in full Manual mode.

Full manual will give you far more control over flash/ambient balance than any of the auto modes. And the most likely scenario is that you'll be locking in your iso and aperture and sliding your shutter speed around, rather than locking in your shutter speed. Would recommend that if you HAVE to shoot with the camera in an auto mode, use Av, not Tv.

Understand that when the camera sets exposure settings for you, it's only doing it for the ambient portion of the picture (until eTTL kicks into play), because the light from the flash isn't in the frame while the metering is going on. You're likely to want to override the hell out of what the AE system tells you is right. Full manual is the easiest mode to do that in. Just my opinion, but it's really better to be completely comfortable shooting with the camera in M mode and swapping stops among iso, aperture, and shutter speed easily into your head before you mess about with flash. Because with flash, you're going to have to toss in flash power and flash-to-subject distance and the flash/ambient balance into the equation, too.

Going in without a good grounding in basic ambient exposure is going to make things a lot harder to figure out.

[bhursey]

Well really for flash even on camera the best idea is to use Manual. Don't be scared its easy. I will give you a starting point. In regards to shutter speed the flash is not going to effect the light gathers by changing of the shutter speed. That only controls abiant light. So I would recommend you focus more on aperture and say start at like 1/160 or 1/250 shutter speeds So all you will be dealing with is ISO and aperture... If its a TTL flash on camera normally it is pretty close to exposure however depending on if your bouncing or not. You may have to go up or down 1/2 - 1 stop using your flash exposure compensation. If the flash does not have it look for the FEC button. You will use your scroller to change that.

[tropikal]

@inkista and bhursey: U guys are awesome. Definetly gave me alot to think about. Will try to get myself more familiar with trial & error experiments with the manuel settings for these spring/summer sessions.

A big thank U to all U guys.