PowerShot A85 flash is too bright... HELP!

[kstrieg]

Hello- I need some help from someone who know a little more about digital cameras than me. After happily using my Canon Rebel for several years, I researched digital cameras and found the Power Shot A85 to meet my needs. Nothing fancy but supposed to take very good pictures with out a lot of work.

Since day one I have been disappointed with this camera due to the crazy bright flash. Everything I take is over exposed... especially when I'm trying to take pictures of people. It is especially bad at night when the lighting isn't so good. I have tried getting very far away and zooming in, sometimes this works but what a pain. I have tried reading the owner's manual and using different modes. I tried to use the night mode inside but it's always blurry because it stays open longer. Maybe I'm not doing something right? I don't want to use the manual setting, that's why I bought an automatic camera, so I don't have to mess with that. Is there a setting I can use to lessen the flash? Is there anything I can do? This camera cost me a lot of money and I'm about ready to toss it... please help!

Thanks in advance!

[nidus_22]

You can use the program mode and use the exposure compensation. set it to -1...in cases when u are using the flash.It is the first option in the functions. Also try using the "Indoors" settings in the special scene mode. Even then the highlights in the flash pictures are more, so u have to resort to PS. Yes, I do agree it is a pain.

In case you are using the night mode, you have to use a tripod. A very interesting effect can be created in the night mode, wherein you place the subject in darkness. Take the snap in night mode by holding the camera in hand and give it a little shake just after the flash is fired. The subject will be exposed correctly by the flash, and the background can be creatively blurred by the handshake. Try this...practice makes perfect.
Convey your findinds, as I use the same camera, actually the A75 - younger sibbling of the A 85.

[Pixel9ine]

With an A85 on "M" mode, you can adjust flash intensity down from FULL to 2/3 and 1/3 power.

You may also want to change your light metering options to suit your shooting environment...