I have been using the Elan ll and the 550EX flash for wedding photography, and for the most part it gives great results. I have been having problems with lower back lite subjects - coming out looking more like silhouettes and group pictures inside a fairly dark church often come out quite weakly lite.

I was under the impression that this was a powerful flash that would fulfill the requirements that I had. Would you recommend either over- compensating with the flash and/or the camera?

I use 400 speed film for most of the indoor stuff.

Any help, advice will be greatly appreciated.

David

-- David Pascolla (dpascola@mail.slocs.k12.ca.us), July 29, 1999

Answers

Like the other poster I am a little confused by your question. We need more information. I addition to what has already been asked, what lenses are you using, and at what aperture? How far away are you? Which 400 speed film are you using, and what are you rating it at?

The advice to rate 400 speed print film at 250 or 320 is good. Also, adding about 1/2 stop of FEC on top of that isn't a bad idea. I use and Elan IIe with a 380EX, and I always add at least 1/2 stop of FEC with print film, regardless of what E.I. I have rated the film.

The 550EX is certainly powerful enough for weddings, but you will have to learn how to use it. It doesn't take much to fool E-TTL. If you focus and recompose without using FEL for example, you are asking for trouble. Same goes for using pro film at the rated E.I. Check the negs while you are at it. If they are thin, use the above suggestions. If they are not, find a new lab.

-- Brad (bhutcheson@iname.com), July 30, 1999.

David,

The 550EX does indeed have plenty of power. Especialy with 400 ISO film. I am not sure I understand your question. Are saying that subjects look like they are lit from the back & silhouetted or are your subjects that stand in the back simply under exposed? Or are all your subjects underexposed?

If there is some reason every flash picture is under exposed then you need to add some positive flash exposure compensation. You can do it either on the flash or from the camera body. Either will do the same thing, but if you do it on both, the settings on the flash will overide the camer settings.

Also if you are using Fuji NPH (400 ISO, a great wedding film) I would suggest resetting your ISO on the camera to 250 or 320. as this film often looks better overexposed a bit. Actually, this is often good advice for most print films. Especialy for wedding/portrait use.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), July 30, 1999.