SHUTTER PROBLEM?

I have a new Canon EOS 20D digital camera. I was taking some candid photos of my niece's birthday party and using the built in flash. However, when I pressed the shutter button, it seemed the shutter stayed closed for quite a few seconds before releasing, and then the photo was somewhat blurry.

Is there something I can do to minimize and quicken the shutter action?

Thanks!

theloanexperts wrote in post #2361330
when I pressed the shutter button, it seemed the shutter stayed closed for quite a few seconds before releasing, and then the photo was somewhat blurry.

Actually the shutter was staying open. I'm guessing you were shooting in Av mode, where the camera will meter for ambient light.

Try M mode and set the shutter speed to 1/250 or slower. Ignore the meter in the viewfinder, since it's only metering ambient light.

There are a few concepts involved with flash that will make it a much less frustrating experience once you learn them. It might help to read Flash Photography 101 (link in my signature).

But that shouldn't happen when the flash is engaged unless it is in manual and a very slow shutter speed was selected, should it? I am assuming that the flash went off. Anyway, a few more details on what mode you were shooting in, maybe an example pic as well would help a lot.

gjl711 wrote in post #2361463
But that shouldn't happen when the flash is engaged unless it is in manual and a very slow shutter speed was selected, should it?

In Av mode, the camera will meter for ambient light regardless of flash use. If the light level is low (indoors), the shutter speed will be slow.

There is a custom function on the 20D to force the shutter to flash sync speed in Av mode with flash, but that's no easier than switching to M and setting the shutter speed manually.

Curtis N wrote in post #2361475
In Av mode, the camera will meter for ambient light regardless of flash use. If the light level is low (indoors), the shutter speed will be slow.

There is a custom function on the 20D to force the shutter to flash sync speed in Av mode with flash, but that's no easier than switching to M and setting the shutter speed manually.

Hmmm... I did not know that. That’s a good thing to know. I'll have to try it when I get home tonight. Come to think of it, When at family parties and taking pics with flash, I tend to use the "P" mode as at that time my camera has become a nice point and shoot.

Thank you! I DID have it in the AV mode! Yikes! I switched it to the M Mode and that seems to work better.

Thanks again for all your help!