Help Needed Please For A Flash Unit For A Camera........................

[lilacben]

when it is on AUTO it just comes out white...just far too bright.? What am I doing wrong.?

[Buenchico]

Make & model of the camera please? Make and model of the flash unit?

An 'auto' setting will only work if (for example) the flash unit knows the film speed (or its digital equivalent) in the camera. If the flash unit thinks that you're using 50 ISO film (or a 50 ISO digital setting) and you're actually using a 3200 ISO film (or digital setting) you'll get a vastly over-exposed image.

So it's important that the camera and the flash unit are correctly communicating with each other (which is why we need details of your equipment).

[alavahalf]

Chris ... What is this thing you call 'film' ?

[lilacben]

Ok Jessops 300 AFDC flash gun .....Canon EOS 500 D...........Sorry. x

[lilacben]

Indoors flash.....and set on AUTO .x

[Buenchico]

The EOS 500D has no facility to communicate with your flash gun. It can only 'talk' to Canon Speedlite flash units (or possibly Speedlite compatible flash units, if they exist).

That's confirmed both by your camera's user manual
http://files.canon-europe.com/files/soft33601/Manual/EOS500D_EN_Flat.pdf
and this description of your flash unit (which specifically states that it's NOT compatible with Canon EOS models which aren't listed on that page:
http://www.heritagecameras.co.uk/bounce-zoom-e-ttl-flash-for-canon-eos-d30-d60-5d-10d-20d-30d-300d-350d-400d-digital-some-35mm-567-p.asp

I can't find an instruction manual for your flash unit but the photographs of it seem to suggest that there are no controls for overriding the settings provided by the camera. Thus (given that your camera is incapable of providing those settings) it seems that you're trying to do the impossible.

Sorry!

[lilacben]

Buenchico..that is brillant thankyou.... I have been looking and didnt find that info at all. Oh dear Jessops salesman told me it was compatible with the camera. now shops gone.! Will send an email to them I think...Many thanks again...you really are very helpful x

[shoota]

At one time Jessops were pretty good but in recent years they went downhill rapidly and started employing staff who knew nothing....
There are many moans about them on photographic sites.