Why does it think it needs to flash!

[gjl711]

I have been taking a bunch of test pics lately to debug a camera/lens issue and noticed that many times while the camera is in full auto, even with a significant amount of light (camera chooses Tv=200 Av=11 ISO=400) the flash pops up and flashes away. Now the pics come out just fine but I am curious, why does the camera think it needs flash? Do I have yet another problem with my camera or is this normal? Below is one of the pics where the flash went off.

[Mike Bell]

I hardly ever use full auto but I suspect that the camera thinks some fill flash is appropriate because of the dark trees. :)

[Tommy]

I would assume that the camera is metering for the background (the sky) and using fill flash for the foreground in an attempt to expose the entire frame to 18% gray.

[davidwegs]

Most newer cameras will attemp to balance the whole frame and thus flash (to varying degrees) for fill. As said, its trying to get 18% across the frame.

[Mark_Cohran]

In full auto, you're fully at the mercy of Canon's exposure algorithms, and if they say "flash" that's what you're going to get. That's why most photographers with a solid understanding of exposure stay away from the auto modes unless they are using them for specific circumstances for which they know they will work well.

Mark

[cdifoto]

In full auto, you're fully at the mercy of Canon's exposure algorithms, and if they say "flash" that's what you're going to get. That's why most photographers with a solid understanding of exposure stay away from the auto modes unless they are using them for specific circumstances for which they know they will work well.

Mark

Which just so happens to be like, never. :) :lol: :p

[gjl711]

I rarely use full auto, thus the surprise when the flash pops up for a shot that I would not have thought needed flash. The manual says little about the flash other than “if necessary” it’s gonna pop up and do it’s thing. I didn’t think it was quite necessary, but it sounds as if this is normal behavior. Anyway, I have narrowed down my problem to one lens, a misbehaving 28-135 which is headed back to Canon for the second time, but that a whole different story.

[twalker294]

The best thing you can do is forget that there even is a full auto mode. If you want the exposure decisions made for you, use P mode.

[Finalcut]

Try to learn the TV & AV modes. These are great! I shoot a lot in man mode, but there are times that TV is a great solution for me...

I don't have the most steady hands, so if I am not using a tripod, I'll use the TV mode for basic stuff to get a fast enough shutter, so my pictures wont blur....

The best is to shoot in manual mode. That's when you get to be creative. Remember - it's not so much about having wrong or write settings when shooting in manual mode, as much as it is about being creative and developing your own look. That's the main reason to try not to use full auto....


And I agree with the above posts. The camera sees a light sky with dark trees, and is trying to add some fill light....