Flash problems

[Bayla]

I've noticed that sometimes when I'm taking pictures indoors (using my flashgun, not the integral flash) I get the shadow of my lens showing up on the pictures.

I'm using a Speedlite 550EX with a diffuser. It's particularly noticeable when I zoom in with my 28-200mm lens.

How can I avoid this? Is it a question of redirecting the flash and if so in which direction?

Bayla

[Not4wood]

How do you mount your external Flash?
How does it sit on/by the camera?
Where is the shadow in the shot and how prominent is it?

Maybe you could post a shot as an example of what your talking about?
If you let us know, about my above questions we could come up with an idea to maybe correct the situation.

[Bayla]

My flashgun is mounted on the hotshoe on the top of my camera.

If you look at these three photos you can see a shadow - a circular segment at the bottom of each one.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/18mPbEkxlBOUxfv62IhajMpS8yV01_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=18mPbEkxlBOUxfv62IhajMpS8yV01)

Bayla

[Codebreaker]

I would guess that when you zoom in the actual length of your lens increases. The flash on top of your camera is low enough for the lens to get in the way.

You can either use the flash off of the camera with a suitable hot shoe adapter or try bouncing the flash off the ceiling.

Colin

[Whiplash-GT]

that's definitely lens shadow...it happens all the time when i use the 10-20 and on-board flash

like codebreaker said, best bet is off camera or bounced

[NMarti]

I'm curious. Is this more a problem when using wide angle lenses?

[Mack]

You might also want to check into a detachable diffuser of some sort. In a pinch you can mount a piece of bubble wrap with a rubber band and that works pretty well, especially inside where much of the diffused light gets bounced off the walls and ceiling. One problem with bouncing off non white objects is of course you now have a a color cast to correct.

Don

[Codebreaker]

Nancy....

It's not strictly related to the focal length of the lens but the actual physical length of the lens.

Colin

[Whiplash-GT]

or girth of the lens:)

[robpendragon]

Could be your flash is pointed all the way down in the macro position.

[NMarti]

Thanks. I guess with my 70-200 lens would then give me reason to be more careful about checking the previews to see if it is showing up.

[lexcell]

It's definitely a shadow caused by your lens/lens shade. It's weird to get it with a 550EX flash. As asked previously, do you have the flash set to the slight downward angle?

Better yet, as also suggested, get the flash off camera and add some texture to your light by having it slightly off center and above your subject. It will turn an ok image into a much better one. You can get a TTL cord or an ST-E2 wireless remote...the cord is less expensive.

While you are at it...get a diffuser to soften the light and you will be much happier with your results.