Flash set up for Focus Bracketing

[MrSparks999]

Hi All

Want to give focus bracketing a go with flash. My question is if i set my camera to high speed synch to do this hand held, what settings should i have on my flash to ensure it fires for each shot? Also on my R6 MkII if i set the camera to automatically focus stack same question. Basically happy with how to set camera up, but i dont use flash very often so am not sure about the settings there.

 

[David Berry]

Sparks…

What flash are you using?

… David

 

[Dean Wilson]

Read page 241 of the Advance User Guide:

Caution (regarding Focus Bracketing)

Flash photography is not possible.

The work around is manually Focus Bracket your shots.

 

[MrSparks999]

Sparks…

What flash are you using?

… David

Hi David, Canon EL-5

 

[MrSparks999]

Read page 241 of the Advance User Guide:

Caution (regarding Focus Bracketing)

Flash photography is not possible.

The work around is manually Focus Bracket your shots.

Hi yes understand not possible if using in camera bracketing as uses electronic shutter, question is for manual shots, then stacking in PS afterwards

 

[MrSparks999]

Perhaps should have been clearer, want to try the rocking back and forth method when in High Speed Continuous, just want to make sure my flash fires every time, in Mech shutter my R6 MKii shoots at 12fps.

 

[Dean Wilson]

Something has to change the focus, either you manually or the camera automatically. This time look at page 300. Flash doesn't work while using Focus Bracket.

I really don't see you being able to physically adjust the focus at the same speed as your camera shoot High Speed Continuous.

 

[AntonLargiader]

You don't change focus on the lens; you change focus with your movement.

@MrSparks999 At low power, I think the EL-5 should be able to keep up with that. My 430EXii shoots that fast. It's trivially easy to just test this. And if you miss a flash, just delete that image from the stack. You have a learning curve ahead of you no matter what so just start trying stuff now! Costs nothing and zero consequences when you mess up.

 

[Dean Wilson]

You don't change focus on the lens; you change focus with your movement.

Can you move the camera fast and accurate enough to maintain focus while shooting High Speed Continuous?

 

[AntonLargiader]

First, it's focus stacking so there is no maintain focus. Manual focus, you focus on the nearest part and then move closer during the burst without refocusing. This way you get the stack.

This is a real thing. There are people who are quite good at it. I've tried it and didn't have much success, but if I were super into plants and bugs I'd probably work on it. I'm happy to use a tripod and a lightbox, though, because that suits my boring subjects better.

The OP's challenge will be to do this much more slowly, at a rate where the flash can keep up. I use the in-camera stacking which is EC, so 30 FPS. Doesn't take long to get a decent stack that way. At 12 FPS, I'd think the movement would be harder to control.

 

[Stephen]

Hi All

Want to give focus bracketing a go with flash. My question is if i set my camera to high speed synch to do this hand held, what settings should i have on my flash to ensure it fires for each shot? Also on my R6 MkII if i set the camera to automatically focus stack same question. Basically happy with how to set camera up, but i dont use flash very often so am not sure about the settings there.

At this moment, the in-camera focus bracketing (Canon) supports flash only with certain models, EOS R1, R3, R5 II.