dark photos/S45

[alto2]

Hi, I have an S45, just a few months old, and recently I'm noticing that in AUTO mode (which is what I mostly use since I haven't had a chance to really sit down with the manual yet), just before I click the shutter, my photo darkens. Until that point, it looks great. And I end up with these dark photos.

Is there a setting I should adjust somewhere? I have played with some of the non-auto settings but I will admit that it's been on a trial-and-error basis. But this last-second darkening is driving me nuts. I appreciate and and all suggestions--and am sincerely hoping that there's nothing wrong with my camera!

Thanks!

Nancy

[stopbath]

Perhaps what is happening is that the camera is closing down the aperture, and allowing you to see the 'preview' version of the shot in the LCD.

When you press the shutter down halfway, the camera will go through some calculations, and determine the best (for what it figures) exposure. It sets the f stop, ISO and shutterspeed. It then allows you to see the shot as it should record.

[alto2]

In Auto mode, doesn't some of that happen without pressing the shutter (I really don't know, so I could be wrong). I don't remember having this problem with dark shots when I first got the camera, which is why I'm concerned.

I'll have to try it out again when I get home to try to better isolate the problem, because it is literally like a dark filter is put over the lens when I take the picture. I can have photos from the same event, in the same indoor space, where some of the pictures are fine, and some look like the space would have if I were wearing sunglasses. It seems like the darkening happens after I get the focus points but before I take the picture--does that make sense?

Thanks for your help, and I will take another look tonight which, hopefully, will offer a better description than what I can give right now. If there's any other info that would be helpful, let me know and I will try to get it.

Thanks!

Nancy

[lcfred]

I guess that I know that it's happening... you should use the P mode but before turn on the "Slow sync" flash option in the menu. Try it or give more info about your pictures (you can take a small size pictures and put a link for us to analyze them).

[alto2]

It seems to happen mostly on indoor photos, if that helps. I tried it last night and couldn't get the camera to darken the shot, so I'm not sure how to explain it.

Unfortunately, I don't have a place to post a photo, unless someone has suggestions?

Thanks,

Nancy