A80 Flash Issues

[Omen62]

I have a question. I shoot a lot of family pictures so tons of people next to each other sometimes in doors sometimes out (pretty blah stuff). I've noticed that the flash on my A80 can sometimes wash out the picture. It's not that bad, but you can def tell that the flash is way too strong (reflection off of faces). I shoot so much and at random times that I typically go with Auto mode just to make it easier. Is there a way to reduce the power of the flash? I always use rechargeable (sp?) batts so maybe a fresh charge has something to do with it?:)

[Photonak]

I shoot so much and at random times that I typically go with Auto mode just to make it easier. Is there a way to reduce the power of the flash? I always use rechargeable (sp?) batts so maybe a fresh charge has something to do with it?:)

Batteries do not control the power output of the flash. As long as the flash has had a time to fully charge, it should produce more consistant results.

I have the the A70 and have not observed overexposure too much.

To be honest, I do not know how the camera controls the flash. One way would be measure the distnace (focus mechanism) and set the output based on that, regardless of how light or dark the subject is. The other is to mesure the amount of light bouncing back from the subject and turn off the flash when enough has been received at the camera.

If the first method is used, you can cover the flash with a piece of kleenex to block and difuse the light. It was trick to soften the light and I used it on my 35mm.

If the second method is used, covering will not work.

Photonak

[randalcandari]

on my A95 I have two ways to control flash.
First method is I step Exposure down to -1 or -2/3.

another method is the flash output on the function menu. i can increase/decrease the flash there. but I think it only works on the creative zones(M,Av,P etc). on the basic zones(portrait, sports, etc), camera controls almost everything.

Hope this helps.

[Photonak]

on my A95 I have two ways to control flash.
First method is I step Exposure down to -1 or -2/3.


This is exposure compensation. It should work with flash or without, if things go well :-) In fact, unless this setting has been turned to +, by mistake, he should not have problems with overexposure.


another method is the flash output on the function menu. i can increase/decrease the flash there. but I think it only works on the creative zones(M,Av,P etc). on the basic zones(portrait, sports, etc), camera controls almost everything.



TMK the above works only in Manual.

Just tried covering the flash with kleenex and it does work - makes the pic come out darker. If all pictures come out too washed out, I'd make a small plastic cover for your flash.

Photonak

[Jon]

The auto-flash will try to evenly illuminate the whole picture. If you've got a fairly dark or distant background that the flash is trying to light up, it'll burn out the closer subjects. You might try tighter framing of your family - just upper body instead of full-length, so there's less background in the picture would help.