Fill light for Canon G2

[LINDA_KAY]

I have a Canon G2 and a Canon 540EZ light that I use on another camera. I tried to use this light on my G2 for a fill light but it was blowing the subjects away, even on manual. I know I am doing something wrong but I don't have the manual to see what I can do. Any help will be a blessing, I really need this to work for a group that I have to do this week. Don't like using the light on the camera due to the red eye and using the red eye out takes too long, want to use the 540.

HELP

Linda

[Phil_Taylor]

The only answer on a 540EZ is to use fractional output power with the appropriate aperture. Take a test flash, and then adjust the camera's aperture accordingly, or increase/decrease the output power.

You could always opt to use a flashmeter and set the shutter speed and aperture off that, but that is against the point of using the G2?

Save the hassle and get the smaller gun, just one down from the 550EX, it will not look as silly as the 550EX on a G series

[Tony_Gamble]

Ah, so Phil reckons that gun does not do ETTL.

I used the 220 on my G3 and Phil is right about it being a more suitable size. And that does ETTL.

I still use the 220 for fill on my 1Ds rather than the 550. The 550 is too clumsy for times when you don't need masses of power.

Tony

[Phil_Taylor]

Tony is right about clumsy, I use a 550EX every now and again but with a Quantum Turbo battery- now that does look silly!

The 550EX works perfectly on the EOS1n series of cameras along with all the other stuff designed for EZ flashes, maybe a good time to trade it in and use one gun for both formats.

Perhaps a better choice if you need that sort of power, or you are on a budget might be the Vivitar 283 or 285.

Silliest ever combination that I saw was a Metz 45 and a Minox GT.

[Tony_Gamble]

Linda,

Phil is right in suggesting something like a small Vivitar.

You don't want to weigh down the G2 which is such a pleasant camera to hold. I tried to use my 550 on my G3 and it was far too heavy.

If you get a flash with a good internal meter you'll be able to set it to fire at one and half stops under - or whatever. Then you don't need to worry about your problem of getting the camera to control the flash metering.

You could probably pick one up second hand. It doesn't need to be 2004 technology. OK you'll have to be a bit more careful with your maths but if you practice, take notes and then put your settings on a bit of card you ought to be safe to concentrate on your pix.

Tony
London UK