20D with 430EX?

[atkinson40]

I'm trying to get my 430EX speedily to work with my 20D.  I need to take some model photos for a friend.

In 430EX TTL mode, the speedlite flashes, but pictures are underexposed.

In 430EX manual mode it does not flash.

From what I read, the best to use the 430EX in manual mode.  The shutter speed can be 1/125 and adjusted to affect the ambient light only.  I have a diffuser for the 430EX I would like to use.

What mode should I set the 20D to?  I understand the 430EX set to 1-1 will give full output from it.

Should I use manual mode on the 20D, set the shutter to 1/125 and adjust aperture to give correct exposure?

Why is the 430EX not firing when it is set to manual mode?  Google says to make sure the flash function is turned on in the camera, but I don't see this in the menu.

Thanks Kevin

[deebatman316]

Will the speedlite work on a different camera.

[MikeSowsun]

Your flash is probably broken. I don’t think your main flash is firing. ETTL always fires a pre-flash. It sounds like the main flash is not being fired after the pre-flash. That would explain the underexpose in ETTL. 

Manual mode does not use a pre-flash. That would explain why you see no flash in manual. 

[atkinson40]

Thanks amfoto1,

I set flash to E-TTL.  The camera in any mode with ISO 400, gives me shutter of around 1/80 and A of around 2.2.  I'm using a 35MM canon lens, and will be between 6-8 ft away for the subject.  Will this give me a DOf large enough to keep a person laying down completely in focus?  This DOF calculator tells me no, but I'm not sure.

https://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Thank

[atkinson40]

Thanks everyone, for your help.  I can work this out when I'm not under pressure.

I wimped out and went to HD and bought 2 LED shop lights and bounced them into umbrellas.(1200 Lumens)  This is giving me 1/80 at f5.6.  I'll use shutter priority and let the camera set the aperture.

I'll need to set the white balance, but I know how to do that.