A80 Flash too powerful~ causes eye problems (and other help)

[AZMom]

I've had my A80 for maybe a month now and there are a few things I really don't like about it. Probably the #1 thing is the flash seems TOO powerful~ when I use the flash and I am anywhere close to the subject, 9 times out of 10 the person's eyes come out half-way closed. I don't know what I can do to fix this problem other than shut the flash off!

#2 ~ the software that comes with it seems pretty hard to use. My old camera (a Kodax DX4900) had very simple software I could use to crop and edit pictures. I do have Infranview and have been using that instead.

#3 ~ it is REALLY easy to screw up the settings if you don't know what you're doing! (ME, lol). I was taking some pictures outdoors yesterday and they all had this horrible 'blue' overcast to them. I went into the settings and found out I had somehow put it on "Tungsten" white balance when I was trying to learn the camera and never switched it back.

I'm starting to think I picked the wrong camera. I wanted the *best* picture quality for a 4.0 mg camera for 4x6 and 5x7 prints, but I think this one might be too complicated for a novice like me!

Are there any others you can recommend that would be better for a beginner? I can still exchange/return mine with Costco and they have several other Canons, Kodaks, and Sony's. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix my flash problem?

Thanks! :D

[Penguin_101_1]

I have the 2 mp version. On manual you can change the amount of flash you want. I you don't want AWB you can just put it on auto.

person's eyes come out half-way closed

Are you sure the person isn't bugging you and closing their eye? :wink:

[Fabrian]

Hang in there and learn your camera. You do know in manual mode there is control over the flash....1/3, 2/3 or full power.

These links may help as well, put aside a few mins for the long one (this is a good read for you).

http://www.flashclip.net/

http://albert.achtung.com/cameras/A80/index.html

[AZMom]

Honestly, manual mode scares me! LOL I would rather leave it in Auto mode all the time. I just want to be able to pick it up and start shooting. If I change the setting while in manual mode, will it save that setting when I shoot in auto mode?

Thanks! :)

[Penguin_101_1]

I think all the settings are saved for the mode. I would e-mail Canon and ask them if you can lower the flash output in auto.

[Fabrian]

For the A80, all modes aside from C1, C2 and Manual can use "auto" flash. It is a fact that in C1, C2 and Manual you have the choice of 3 different flash intensities.

[stopbath]

If you want to use Auto mode, then everything is automatic. Flash, exposure, ISO... Very few options are open.

Auto will work 'most of the time' for most of the subjects. If you stick with Auto, you'll be happy most of the time, but you won't be able to 'fix' those shots that will come out lousy.

To help your photography, you need to know how to take pictures better than the camera, and you need to be able to take over for it.

As for the flash, I suppose you're too close, and the subjects are reacting to the 'red eye reduction' mode (blinking) or else they just want to go to sleep... If you use aperture control mode, you can select a smaller aperture to lower the amount of flash output getting into the photo.

Changing flash output in Manual affects 'only' manual. All other modes use automatic flash exposure. Unfortunately, at close ranges it it easy for the camera to overexpose, so you need to take over and use aperture control.

Once playing with settings, set it BACK to the 'normal' state. I too have suddenly gotten odd photos as I forgot to set things back.... (Setting a function in one mode may not affect all other modes...)

[flashclip]

AZMom

You can tone down your built in flash with a piece of tissue paper and some tape, just don't cover the focus assist lamp.

If you are looking for something more elegant, check out my website below. My wife and I developed a solution for the Canon cameras that not only diffuses the light, but also bounces it, making for a nicer picture.

Best of luck,

Craig

[johnson]

In regards for the eyes being halfway closed. Its probably because the camera fires a pre-flash which causes them to blink.

[Javaair]

AZ Mom - Did you ever have success with your A80 and the pre-flash subject blinking. I have had the same problem for months and thought I would try one more time to fix the problem before I give up on the camera. My older Kodak digital takes pictures in the same setting with no problems.

[shaggybill]

AZMom, I too have the A80 and I agree that sometimes the flash is too much, but stick with the camera, I guarantee you'll love it after a while. Learn what shutter speed and aperature is and use Manual Mode for your more serious photography, and for your everyday use such as taking pics of kids, pets ,etc, use the Fast Shutter mode (the icon with the guy running). This will almost guarantee you a clear shot. I had trouble with the Auto Mode too, so I played around with it and found that the Fast Shutter mode usually works the best in any daytime setting.

[AZMom]

Nope, never got the problem solved. With a toddler and an infant I just don't have the time to learn manual photography. I need a camera I can just pick up and snap a picture when I want to, without changing settings/apertures/etc. What irritates me is one of my nieces got a cheapo 2.0 mp camera for Christmas and it has the perfect flash that does not blind people! While I paid a lot more and have to stand at the opposite end of the room to not overexpose my subject or get the half-eyes closed. I love my A80 and have taken some beautiful pictures so I don't regret the purchase but this continues to be a really negative flaw for me. I've tried shooting without a flash but then everything comes out blurry. I'm going to play around a little more with it this weekend but I think I will end up selling my A80 on ebay and buying a new camera.

[cheewooi]

Loved my A80 so much..till recently the Manual White Balance Setting seems to make the photos turned out greenish saturated color! Send in Canon for service and they dunno what's happened and they dunno how to repair the camera. Tried all the technique in the manual and internet for setting manual white balance but useless...:( Anyway A80 overall is a good camera...I've been using it for 1 year now.haha