Can't seem to use a slave flash with an A40. Any help?

[Cubby1]

Whenever I've used a slave flash with a standard camera, it has not been an issue -- it simply worked.

Attempting to use it with my A40, causes the picture using the slave (triggered by the flash in the camera) causes the frame to be almost black -- totally underexposed. Attempting to use in the "P" position, and if I set the flash in either "on always" or on "Auto" I get the dark results. Using the "night setting" (slow shutter) will yield a picture, but it is blurry.

Any suggestions?

[Jon]

What are your on-camera settings? Are you using red-eye reduction, which might set off the slave prematurely? The pre-flash (metering) may also be setting off the slave, and adjusting for the slave in the exposure.

[stopbath]

Try using the A40 in manual to disable the pre-exposure flash. Set the A40 flash to 1/3 output.

The A70 on Auto, P and A modes will fire the flash before it takes a photo, evaluates the exposure, then does the exposure with the flash output predetermined. The A40 likely does the same thing, and manual is the only way to disable it.

[rwong2k]

hmm interesting

is this true for the g5 also using M mode will eliminate the preflash?

then i can play with my frined's $15 preflash again

thx