Controlling 550EX Remotely

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I'm shooting a car (I don't know what color it is yet) against a sunset later this week and I have some questions about controlling the 550EX remotely. I plan to make some of the shots with the flash off the camera. I have an Elan 7E, ST-E2 (I don't have the manual) and the 550EX (I have the manual). I know I can't use flash exposure bracketing with the ST-E2 (If I had two 550s then I'm told I could do it). So, can I still use flash exposure compensation in-camera to accomplish the bracketing? That seems to be the quickest way, rather than changing the exposure compensation on the 550EX between shots. After all, sunsets only last a few minutes. Any suggestions would be helpful. Also, any suggestions (filters, exposures, etc.) on making the shot outstanding would be helpful. I could rely on night mode and bracket, but I'd like a reliable formula to do it maually. Do I meter for the background and use FEL to get the flash exposure correct? Or is there an easier way?

Thanks, Tim

-- Tim Fisher (tfisher@beachin.net), April 08, 2002

Answers

Our resident flash guru NK Guy will probably weigh in, but here's my $02: there is no reason you would not be able to bracket, regardless of your equipment. The 550 EX has variable power, so you can shoot at "normal," then plus and minus one-half power, or one, or one-and-a- half--whatever you want. You'll just have to push the buttons each time, no big deal.

The ST-E2 is supposed to retain all the flash features anyway, so it shouldn't matter that the flash is off camera.

Are you shooting slides or prints? The difference is important. If you are shooting prints, you can be far less precise in the metering, because the lab can correct a multitude of errors, or can enhance the shot digitally, especially to make the sunset more dramatic.

If you use a tripod, you won't have to rush, worrying that the sunset is escaping. A near-dark shot, with a tripod and a several second exposure, will look like early evening.

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), April 09, 2002.


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