Flash Photos too dark - Help Please

[malam]

I recently went on a trip with my G9 - first time user. I noticed that some pictures that I took with the flash on, turns out too dark - even darker than the same shots without flash. What did I do wrong.

Thanks.

[grandadraymond]

Snap i found this happening, i would love to know where im going wrong....Ray

[steven]

An example would help.
There are a couple of things that can be the problem.
The flash might not strong enough to light up the area of the picture.
The camera could see the area that it is metering is bright enough so it limits the flash.
The flash might not be fully charged.

But if you could post a picture that you are seeing this it would help. Also what setting you had in effect at that time (metering type, programming mode)

[sdommin]

Also, your flash exposure compensation might be set to a "minus" value. See page 149 in the manual.

[grandadraymond]

Also, your flash exposure compensation might be set to a "minus" value. See page 149 in the manual.Thank you sdommin thats my problem sorted it was the exposure settings:)

[sdommin]

Thank you sdommin thats my problem sorted it was the exposure settings:)

You're welcome - glad to help!

[BobsYourUncle]

I had the same problem myself when I first got the G9.
I found the onboard flash OK for outside fill and close inside shots where the background didn't matter, but beyond that, the flash was relatively useless.

I played with the exposure settings, bumped the flash up a bit but found I was now overexposing close subjects.


I then tried taking a few paces back and zooming a bit. Good results on the subject, but the background was too dark. I have 3 young grandsons and like taking candid shots of their antics. With lots of family nearby, the results were not what I wanted. Though the kids are the subject, it would be nice if the others in the background were exposed properly too.

I finally determined that the flash is not one of the G9's stronger points.

A quick browse through Craigslist soon found me a used 380EX for a hundred bucks. I bought some precharged Duracell rechargeables and tried that.

The results are night and day different from the onboard flash. My preferred thing is to bounce it off the ceiling for most shots. I get a much more even light, no redeye and everything in the room is evenly exposed. Even the direct flash shots are exposed a lot better.

I'm very happy with that choice.

[malam]

I had the same problem myself when I first got the G9.
I found the onboard flash OK for outside fill and close inside shots where the background didn't matter, but beyond that, the flash was relatively useless.

I played with the exposure settings, bumped the flash up a bit but found I was now overexposing close subjects.


I then tried taking a few paces back and zooming a bit. Good results on the subject, but the background was too dark. I have 3 young grandsons and like taking candid shots of their antics. With lots of family nearby, the results were not what I wanted. Though the kids are the subject, it would be nice if the others in the background were exposed properly too.

I finally determined that the flash is not one of the G9's stronger points.

A quick browse through Craigslist soon found me a used 380EX for a hundred bucks. I bought some precharged Duracell rechargeables and tried that.

The results are night and day different from the onboard flash. My preferred thing is to bounce it off the ceiling for most shots. I get a much more even light, no redeye and everything in the room is evenly exposed. Even the direct flash shots are exposed a lot better.

I'm very happy with that choice.

Thanks for your post - got myself a Speedlite 430 EX a couple of days a go!

[Michael Wells]

Thanks for your post - got myself a Speedlite 430 EX a couple of days a go!

I did the same a short time ago...I think you'll be pleased with the results!

Mike

[mastertech01]

I have a 380EX as well as a sto-fen diffuser. You would be surprized to see how much more control the 380 has with the diffuser on G9.

I also had a 580EX II but it is simply way too large despite all its modern glory. I sold it.

I can imagine 420ex or 430EX to be excellent too since they not only bounce but swivel.

[bsmotril]

If you're using face detect focus with flash, exposure will be set so as to not blow out the highlights on the faces. A lot of times this results in darker backgrounds than what you would expect.

[mastertech01]

My primary complaint about external flash is that Canon does not allow the camera to use the flashes much more powerful focus assist lamp. Even the mighty 580EX II has limited functionality on the G9.

[mastertech01]

I switched up to a 420EX today.. more compact than the 380ex and more versatile with the tilt and rotating flash head. Well worth the extra spent. Seems to take better photos also with the G9