G1 Flash Problem? (Won't turn off!)

[mdmills]

First, a hearty thank-you to everyone who contributes so much valuable knowledge to these forums. I researched my G1 purchase for about 3 months. In no small part to the information provided by Pekka and other posters, I still feel I've made the right choice. I'm incredibly happy with the G1.

Only one thing baffles me: I've taken many shots that would have been good but for the flash going off and overexposing the picture. Even when I explicitly turn the flash off ("no-flash" icon showing), the settings seem to override my choice and fires the flash anyway. It's a frustrating experience - in most macro shots, too much flash completely destroys the shot, and in some portrait shots too much flash produces a washed-out, heroin-addict look in the subjects.

The manual says that the flash is adjustable (on/off/redeye) in many different modes, but I've seen no proof of this in the actual shots. Completely manual mode seems to be the only way to ensure the flash doesn't fire, and even then I have to cover the flash with a finger for the first shot - then the flash doesn't fire on future shots. I would think that even in Auto mode, one should be able to choose the flash selection.

Am I missing something here, or do others have the same problem? I've got the latest firmware upgrade, so that can't be it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[nahau]

Hi mdmills,
If you can't turn off the flash, then something is wrong with the camera. The only mode that does not allow flash control is "movie" mode. I would hastily return the camera for another one!
nahau