I just purchased a 5D about 2 weeks ago and was trying to use it last night with my 580EX (not 580EX II) flash. The flash works fine on my 10D in all AE modes. When I try to use the flash with my 5D here are the problems I am having: No custom functions on either camera or flash.
Program AE - constant under exposure of 3+ stops Tv AE - under exposure of 3+ stops with shutter speeds below 1/200s Av AE - works correctly at any f /stop Manual - under exposure of 3+ stops with shutter speeds below 1/200s
The flash must be in high speed for it to work as above. If I turn off high speed the shots are all under exposed no matter what the settings. With high speed turned on the flash does work in Tv AE at shutter speeds at or above 1/200s. The 5D does recognize the flash is in high speed as it displays the "H" at shutter speeds above 1/200 in Tv AE.
I did notice that on the 5D the Auto Zoom symbol in the upper right corner is displayed but it is not displayed when attached to my 10D. Also the 10D does not require the high speed mode and will work at any shutter speed.
Any ideas on what might be causing this? I have double checked all the settings on both the camera and flash. I do not have a second flash to try. I would think that I can use the flash in Program AE mode at any shutter speed as on my 10D so I am stumped as to why I cannot get good shots below 1/200 second.
I don't have the 580EX but I do have the 550EX. I just tried it in M, Av, Tv and P modes on my new 5D and the flash exposure was consistent between all four modes and the exposure level was pretty good. The histogram was pretty much full in each case. Maybe I'd have given it a little + exposure compensation, but the my subject was motly white, so that's only to be expected (the camera wants to make everything mid-grey!).
My only thought is that the flash isn't seating quite properly or that one or more of the flash contacts (there are 5 of them I think) is dirty (oxidized?) and isn't making good contact. The flash itself seems OK it it works on the 10D. I'd look for a dirty contact on the 5D and be absolutely sure the flash was pushed all the way into the hotshoe and locked down.
Ok, I finally had a chance to upload some shots from the camera and flash combination. I first cleaned the contacts on both the flash and the camera. The shots have the EXIF info included.
I am trying to figure out if this is a camera or flash problem. I am not sure why it works in high speed mode and not normal mode but the camera does recognize the flash is in high speed mode because it displays the H in the viewfinder for the shot at 1/250s.
Any help is appreciated, Joe
« Last Edit: June 06, 2008, 09:43:01 PM by Bob Atkins »
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