Flash advice please!

Orions · 24th October 2008, 6:15 PM

Hey guys, Im currently running a Digital rebel, standard 300D that I bought from a fellow OCAU member a few months ago.

Now, I want to get into abit of photography in the clubscene to earn abit of sidecash, and I've got a problem and a few queries.

Problem
The problem is, using the standard flash that comes with the 300D, with AUTOFOCUS selected on the lens on automode on the 300D, the flash does something wierd. The flash flickers constantly when i hold the button down, and only occasionally it'll actually flash and take the photo.

It doesnt seem right to me. Has anyone experienced anything with this issue, or heard anything about it??

Im thinking about going out and buying a professional flash for this type of work, what would be some good flash types?

berek · 24th October 2008, 6:24 PM

It's normal. You can turn it off in the menus. It's focus assistance. A speedilight uses an IR beam instead.

Katunka89 · 24th October 2008, 6:29 PM

AFAIK it's actually the TTL metering going on.

mr_wrxman · 24th October 2008, 7:17 PM

I've been curious about this (not that it affects me, I use Nikon) but I've always wondered why the Canon's flash would just strobe before taking a photo since it didn't always happen. I always thought it was autofocus assist.

Although Nikons can do this when you press the DOF preview button (and have modelling flash turned on).

Orions · 24th October 2008, 10:33 PM

Ive scrolled through the menu options but cant find any settings to do with it... Well im just glad theres nothing wrong with my camera.

ya3 · 25th October 2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katunka89

AFAIK it's actually the TTL metering going on.

Nope. The pre-flash is just ONE flash milliseconds before the main flash and is usually unnoticeable.

It's AF assist. Just lighting up the scene so your camera can see what it's focussing on. Proper flashes simply shine a red beam onto your subject to assist AF.

Amfibius · 25th October 2008, 9:25 AM

Is it red eye reduction?

Orions · 25th October 2008, 12:50 PM

So if i get a proper flash, this stuttering flash effect will stop?
I will be in a very dark environment if im taking club photos

desertstalker · 25th October 2008, 4:12 PM

You will get a red grid instead of the flashes. But it is much less noticeable.

24th October 2008, 6:15 PM	#1
Orions Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 304	Flash advice please! Hey guys, Im currently running a Digital rebel, standard 300D that I bought from a fellow OCAU member a few months ago. Now, I want to get into abit of photography in the clubscene to earn abit of sidecash, and I've got a problem and a few queries. Problem The problem is, using the standard flash that comes with the 300D, with AUTOFOCUS selected on the lens on automode on the 300D, the flash does something wierd. The flash flickers constantly when i hold the button down, and only occasionally it'll actually flash and take the photo. It doesnt seem right to me. Has anyone experienced anything with this issue, or heard anything about it?? Im thinking about going out and buying a professional flash for this type of work, what would be some good flash types?

24th October 2008, 6:24 PM	#2
berek Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 4305 Booshville Posts: 1,697	It's normal. You can turn it off in the menus. It's focus assistance. A speedilight uses an IR beam instead. __________________ Single item purchases over ::$400 to $1500:: and many other smaller trades too R.I.P. Minolta. 1928 - 2006

24th October 2008, 7:17 PM	#4
mr_wrxman Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney 2176 Posts: 2,172	I've been curious about this (not that it affects me, I use Nikon) but I've always wondered why the Canon's flash would just strobe before taking a photo since it didn't always happen. I always thought it was autofocus assist. Although Nikons can do this when you press the DOF preview button (and have modelling flash turned on). __________________ Core i7 930 \| Asus P6T \| 3x2GB Patroit G Series DDR3 1600 \| 2GB ATi 6970 \| 3x320GB RAID0 \| Antec TP 750W \| Antec P160W Over 180 Sales/Trades/Buys totalling over $22,000 ntrancedphotography.com.au

25th October 2008, 9:25 AM	#7
Amfibius Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 6,588	Is it red eye reduction? __________________ -Amfibius

24th October 2008, 6:29 PM	#3
Katunka89 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Perth Posts: 812	AFAIK it's actually the TTL metering going on.

24th October 2008, 10:33 PM	#5
Orions Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 304	Ive scrolled through the menu options but cant find any settings to do with it... Well im just glad theres nothing wrong with my camera.

25th October 2008, 12:50 PM	#8
Orions Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 304	So if i get a proper flash, this stuttering flash effect will stop? I will be in a very dark environment if im taking club photos

25th October 2008, 4:12 PM	#9
desertstalker Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 273	You will get a red grid instead of the flashes. But it is much less noticeable.