Using an external battery with Canon 580 EX ii

I bought an external battery pack a while ago to use with my Canon Speedlight 580 EX ii. I was unaware that you have to set the Flash Custom Functions for an external battery pack. Needless to say it burned out my flash and I had to have it repaired (Luckily it was under warranty still).

I am now wondering what is the proper way to use an external battery pack with this flash. On my camera (Canon 5D Mark ii) it has 2 custom function setting for external power. One says Flash and external power and the other just says external power source. I'm pretty sure the first one is the default setting so I would assume I would need to be using the other. Also, I was told by the Canon rep that I can't use ETTL with an external power source and that I can only use the flash in Manual mode. Is this true?

Cast your mind back about ten years

Remember the EOS 10D? It seems it was a spectacular camera when it came out. Lots of glowing reviews still exist on the web. I own one now, I picked it up used from a studio photographer. I've had it for about two or three years. I am not a photographer by trade, but I sometimes get lucky and capture a real nice image.

I would like to learn how to use my camera better, how to understand its features and those mysterious "custom functions." I re-printed the non-introductory portions of the owner's manual onto 8 1/2 x 11 paper and keep it in a binder so I can refer to it more easily than thumbing through the credit-card-sized original. I am surprised, however, that I haven't been able to turn up a how-to book focusing on this specific camera. Something like this, but for the Canon 10D.

The reason I want a book devoted to the camera I have is so that I can get specific instructions like "Press the * button, then use the large function wheel on the back to select [the appropriate feature] from the rear screen menu--the LCD display will [do this and that]" rather than "Adjust the color temperature and then set ISO to 200 and a shutter speed of..." whatever, which sends me tearing all through the manual to find out how to adjust each of those settings.

Was there such a book? Preferably something like a workshop with exercises rather than a "for Dummies" type book.

A question for you guys

My work found out I do photography as a hobby and they asked me to take pics of some of our events we setup. What's the best way to keep the brightness level of all the pics consistent? Til now I've been using Lightroom 3 but since I only do individual hobby shots, I've never had to worry about keeping my shots somewhat consistent in terms of levels wise. I use an internal meter. The meter works pretty good on my t3i, but it's not perfect. I use my best judgement to compensate. At this point I don't want to use an external meter. So does anyone know of a good method to balancing my brightness in Lightroom so that all my pics from a event match well? Should I adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, then copy paste that setting to all my pics before doing individual editing? Or should I eyeball compare them?

Instagram wedding photographer

Don't you hate it when people say these comments--
"who needs a photographer? I have an iPhone."

followed by "instagram will put you out of business"

followed by "I'm saving tons on my daughter's wedding photos" (for a night wedding)

followed by "the photos look ok on the phone, but the prints are grainy."

followed by "can you fix these so I can get good 8x10's?"

yes I am venting today! His daughter has wedding photos that have beautiful borders and effects and gimmicks. But the images themselves suck big time. And last but not least, this is the same guy who made the wedding guest list to maximize the numbers of invitees who wouldn't be able to attend due to distance but feel obligated to send a gift.


There's lots of people out there like this. Not much to do but explain what you offer (perhaps in the context of explaining some of the challenges that make experience and capable equipment valuable) and why you think it's worth what you charge, and avoid rubbing it in when it turns sour for them, so they aren't embittered against hiring your for future needs.

One of the most extreme cases I've heard of such cynicism was a lady who demanded that guests who use the bathroom not flush unless it was a #2, and I think she even had limits on that...thankfully not someone I knew. $0.02 cents at most for a flush worth of water, but no friends to share the savings with.

And Instagram is a crime against photography.

What's with mothers and moms taking over?

Just a vent.... But this is this second shower I've offered to host and it turned out I didn't actually get to host the shower. The first one I offered to host I wanted to have at my house. Out of respect for my friends moms feelings I had it at her house. Then, I offered to throw another friends shower and she begged me to have it at her parents house. I agreed even though I wanted to host, my friend then tried to lead the planning process by choosing invitations and colors and leading the meeting her mother and I had. They also went ahead and purchased decorations. I get that she's excited to have a baby and I get her mom is excited to be a gma again but it's like why should I have offered to host if the hosting would be taken from me? I dunno, I almost feel like I've been told what to do with this shower. I also have been pushed away by my friend. I've tried to hang out with this friend but have yet to have more Han a few seconds...