How do I set manual flash power on a Canon 580EX II when following Nikon-based flash tutorials?
Asked 10/10/2011
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I'm using a Canon 580EX II and trying to follow flash techniques from Bryan Peterson's book, but the examples use Nikon speedlights. On the Nikon units in the book, manual flash mode lets you enter aperture, ISO, and power, then shows a flash distance. On my 580EX II, Custom Function 05-3 lets me enter aperture and ISO, but not power, and it shows a distance range instead of one exact distance. How should I use the Canon flash correctly in manual, and what is the difference between that setting and the flash's normal Manual mode?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Custom Function 05 stands for "flash metering mode" and setting its value to 3 means "external manual metering". This setting, however, is meant for automatic flash exposure using the light sensor on 580EX II where only input values (aperture and ISO) are entered manually (instead of getting them electronically from body, as in the automatic setting 2).
To manually select flash power, use "Mode" button on your flash to select Manual mode. To select power level, press the "Select/Set" button (in the middle of select dial), power setting will blink on display; turn dial to desired setting and press "Select/Set" again to set your choice.
Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4390
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
CFn 05-3 on the 580EX II is not the normal manual power mode. It is the flash’s external manual metering mode, which uses the flash’s own sensor for automatic exposure while you manually enter aperture and ISO. That’s why it shows a distance range rather than letting you directly set output power.
If you want to work the way most manual-flash tutorials do, switch the flash to Manual with the Mode button. Then press the center Select/Set button so the power value blinks, turn the dial to choose the power level, and press Select/Set again to confirm.
In short:
- CFn 05-3 = external sensor-based flash metering
- Manual mode = direct control of flash output power
So when translating Nikon-based examples, use the 580EX II’s actual Manual mode and set power there. Use the displayed distance/range only as a guide; final exposure still depends on aperture, ISO, flash power, and subject distance.
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