Sigma EM 140 DG Macro Flash

Lesinlondon · #1 (**permalink**) 22-08-2010, 11:10 PM

I recently bought a Sigma EM 140 DG Macro Flash (Canon ETTL II). Using it in auto ETTL II mode produces great results, trouble is with anything other than bright, sunny conditions I'm stuck with f/4 - f/5.6. I really want a minimum of f/8 with a shutter of 200sec. I can choose Aperture or Shutter priority, or High Speed Sync modes, but these have their limitation which don't improve things - what you gain with chosen mode you loose at the other end. What am I doing wrong? Do I really have to trial with Manual settings, I was trying to avoid that as having to do so 'out in the field' would be difficult. This is my first 'off camera' flash, and I'm new to Canon ETTL II (having come from Olympus). Any help or advice will be very useful, thanks. Les.

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 01:18 PM

I don't understand why your stuck with those aperture settings.
I had one of these and regularly used F16 with the flash, using ETTL. I'd shoot in Aperture mode, adjust the aperture to what I wanted. Is it that the camera is suggest too low a shutter speed? To get over that you can force the camera to use 1/250sec. It may well leave you with black backgrounds, especially if your using low ISO settings, but should illuminated your subject perfectly well.

Lesinlondon · #3 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 06:49 PM

Hi Graham, yes that's it. If I use aperture priority mode/ETTL II the shutter is usually too slow. How do I force a faster shutter, 1/200 - 1/250 would be great. I use lowest 100/200 ISO, but 400 or 800 is acceptable when need be. I have a 450D but mainly use a 1000D for macro. Thanks. Les.

matt_xyz · #4 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 07:34 PM

you need to shoot in manual mode Les. Just set the camera to 1/200 and your chosen aperture and the flash will adjust accordingly.

Matt

slimrbp · #5 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 07:44 PM

You can do manual or if you want to set the speed in AV mode you can do this also.
I have my old 400D and on that you go into the custom functions, find 'flash speed in AV mode' and set it to the fixed speed which is normally the maximum flash synch.

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimrbp

You can do manual or if you want to set the speed in AV mode you can do this also.
I have my old 400D and on that you go into the custom functions, find 'flash speed in AV mode' and set it to the fixed speed which is normally the maximum flash synch.

Yep, that's it!

Lesinlondon · #7 (**permalink**) 23-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Thanks to you all! That 'flash speed' setting is well hidden in the menus! Life is going to be so much easier and more rewarding now that's sorted out

I tested a few aperture settings out on the head of a stick insect, in very dim light, and was delighted with the results. Great, thanks! Les.

slimrbp · #8 (**permalink**) 24-08-2010, 07:37 AM

No probs

As Graham has already said you can suffer from dark backgrounds in this mode. Raising the ISO will help in this respect or try and frame your subject so the background is reasonably close.
The other thing to familiarise yourself with if you haven't already is Flash Exposure Compensation, this allows you to vary the flash output if the image is too bright.
I often found that in most circumsatnces a setting of -1 Stop was a good starting point to get amore natural feel to the light.

All the best