Flash Issue

[mamarazzi_squared]

I had my 50D serviced recently and since I have gotten it back, I have noticed that when I try to use the flash when I am in a manual setting, no matter how the flash is aimed, the picture is getting totally washed out (picture is nearly white, regardless of where the flash is aime).

If I change the aperture to let less light in, it helps, but it is not something that I have had to do before. I am not sure if some setting has been changed on my camera, or perhaps, unintentionally, I have changed a setting on my flash. I as shooting indoors and as such my ISO was higher, could that be the issue? I think that I tried lowering it without any luck. Any ideas as to the cause or a settings to tinker with?

Thanks!

[Daniel Bates]

Check your flash exposure compensation (FEC). On the top face of the camera, directly in front of the alternate LCD screen, there are four buttons - backlight, metering/WB, AF/drive, and ISO/FEC. Hold down that last button and make sure that you don't have any exposure compensation dialed in.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Anne,

This may sound REALLY stupid but are you sure you're shooting with the correct settings for your shutter, aperture, and ISO? If so, are you shooting with your flash in TTL mode?

- Wil

[Dobick]

What flash are you using? If it is the 580 EXII then you can reset the flash settings from the camera. If you do that it should bring you back to ground zero. You can also control the flash settings at this point as well, and maybe pinpoint what the problem might be

[mamarazzi_squared]

Thanks everyone! Yes, I am using a 580 EXII and embarassed to say that I know very little about the technical aspects of the flash. I sort of know how to get the lighting I want, but it is more trial and error than anything. Problem has been corrected, so I am much happier now. Thanks again for taking the time to help!