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Can I set up the R5 and EL-1 flash to not take an image until the flash is ready?

pedz
Enthusiast

The title basically is the question.  I am shooting macro photography and I need to take a series of images and stack them.  The way this is done in the field (I'm told) is to press the shutter and as the camera clicks off the frames, slowly move forward to get exposures at sequential planes within the subject.  Then go home and stack the images.

Ok... that sounds doable except if I do it somewhat blindly, the camera can go faster than the flash can recharge -- which isn't surprising.

What I'm hoping for is for the camera to not take an image until the flash is ready.  I have the quick flash setting off hoping that will do it but I can still get blank dark frames between the frames where the flash flashed.

It seems if I do slow speed continuous firing and 1/8th full power (as an example), the flash keeps up.  But if I do high speed continuous and full power, I end up with a properly lite frame followed by about 5 dark frames with no flash, repeat.  None of this is surprising.  I am just hoping I can tell the camera to not take the 5 dark frames.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

p4pictures
Whiz
Whiz

Unfortunately there is no custom setting in EOS cameras or the Speedlites to only take photos if the Speedlite is charged. 

The quick flash setting allows the flash to fire even if it is not fully recharged. This might be beneficial if you are shooting quickly and the flash uses 1/8th of the stored energy for a shot. It can take another frame even if it is not fully charged since there is still 7/8ths of the energy left in the capacitors.


Brian
EOS specialist trainer, photographer and author
-- Note: my spell checker is set for EN-GB, not EN-US --

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2

p4pictures
Whiz
Whiz

Unfortunately there is no custom setting in EOS cameras or the Speedlites to only take photos if the Speedlite is charged. 

The quick flash setting allows the flash to fire even if it is not fully recharged. This might be beneficial if you are shooting quickly and the flash uses 1/8th of the stored energy for a shot. It can take another frame even if it is not fully charged since there is still 7/8ths of the energy left in the capacitors.


Brian
EOS specialist trainer, photographer and author
-- Note: my spell checker is set for EN-GB, not EN-US --

Waddizzle
Legend
Legend

Okay.  You are using Continuous Drive Mode.  What AF mode?  I assume you use Servo AF.

What is you try Ohe Shot AF, instead?  Might that slow it down for both focus and exposure lock?

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