R6mk2 and EL-10 overexposed in High Speed Sync mode

[adam461]

I've been playing about with the flash settings (EL-10) and when taking a few pictures, I noticed something odd when the flashgun is in high speed sync mode, when the flashgun's head is pointed directly at the subject, it overexposes the image, but it's perfect when the flashgun head is pointed upwards (bouncing off the ceiling). I've included two images to show you the difference. When using the camera (and I've done this with all the canon cameras I've owned for the past 20 years), I've always put the flashgun in high speed sync mode and never had any issues, and this shouldn't give me any issues as I never take pictures with the flashgun pointing directly at the subject, but knowledge is power and I'm just wondering why this is happening, it gives a perfect exposure when the flashgun is being bounced, but the flash is far too powerful when pointed at the subject. TIA for any help you can give. (Both images were taken at F4 350th shutter speed, the first one is with the flash head being pointed at the ceiling and the second with the flashgun pointed at the subject).

[deebatman316 · Accepted solution]

The camera’s metering system sees things in gray. When you add a flash and super reflective or bright color items can fool the camera’s metering system. Most lenses have a focus distance encoder that reduces this from happening. You shouldn’t need HSS inside unless it’s very bright. What mode are you shooting in. This makes a difference because the flash is treated differently in each mode. In manual the camera treats it as if that’s the main light source. In other modes it treats it as fill flash. 

[adam461]

Thanks for replying, the images I uploaded were taken in manual mode. I've taken a few more pictures and it seems I was simply too close to the subject, when I've stood further back, the exposure with the flashgun pointing forward and  bounce off the ceiling now seems identical, I was simply too close to my iron man mug.