Built-in flash problem

[Flare]

Hee Hee... just curious.

Anyone have the problem with the built in flash in the A1 not being able to detect that it's already up, and thus not fire? Noticed recently when i tried to use the wireless flash mode, the camera fails to detect that the built in flash is not up (no flash icon in display) and thus not fire. change mode also doesn't help.

Think it may have been due to the nice little rain that my camera and I enjoyed while shooting in a downpour at the esplanade months ago. (if anyone saw an idiot shooting in the rain, it's me)

Think have to go down to KM service center liao.

 

[pshing]

may be you can try to cover the lens with your hand, before taking out the buildin flash. sometimes it would not charge when the environment is too bright. that's what i have found...

but anyway, the buildin flash is quite useless. it screwed up quite a number of my pictures... i always prefer shooting without buildin flash on...

 

[sulhan]

As a fill flash.....use AEL....preferred......

rgds,
sulhan

 

[Drudkh]

can try to up the EV compensate as well. built in flash is good for very close distance only. it doesn't have the power since it is so small.

 

[pshing]

A1's fill flash sometimes gave mi fully "surprising" result. I am not sure whether it is the prob with my equipment or my skill or setting, but it is quite hard to get the fill-in flash right.

I normally -0.3 to -0.7 EV (flash) when i want to do fill-in with a subject that is close to mi. The fill-in get quite alright if the light source is not complicated.

But then when the subject is slightly further, around 5~6m like that, the power of the flash is so weak that i cant predict the result very often.

I had tried a very very old fully manual flash on my A1, connecting via a cable to the "studio flash plug" (i dont know the name, sorry), which is covered by a small cap and located just above "fil / color / contrast button". i got almost no problem with that flash even i need to adjust the output manually.

Firstly, white balance never fail mi when i use that aged external flash. However, when i use the buildin flash, white balance sometimes goes very funny yellowish color (using auto white balance).

Secondly, that external flash gives mi sufficient and predictable of power output. But the buildin flash is so weak that it cant reach places further than roughly 5 meters. Everytime if i need to fire flash to far distance subject, i have to use 1/1 full power for my buildin flash and try my luck...

arhz... no choice, no money to buy external flash, haha. Flash that i wish to get... anyone below...

Sigma EF-500 DG Super
Minolta Maxxum Flash 3600HS(D)
Sigma EF-500 DG ST

5600 is too expensive, thus out of my consideration, haha...

 

[Flare]

Thanks for the help. Hee... just fooled around my cam for a couple of days, and think that whatever type of sensor (should be pressure sensitve) used to detect if the flash is up has malfunctioned (rain?). But if i flip the flash up in certain manner, it'll still switch on. Well, I do use external flash, but well, i still need the pop up if I wanna do wireless, so I guess i'll have to get it fix.

But well, the built in flash is pretty good if you ask me, it's wide enough that doesn't give the proper exposed cener but under exposed outer thingy, and it's very nice if the flash is used within the limit.

ot:
Hee, wanna get a 2(?) year old 3600? I got one, thinking of selling it cheap to finance lens or another 5600. ;p

 

[pshing]

i agree with you that the buildin flash work fine within the range (which is quite a short distance)...

ot:
Hee, wanna get a 2(?) year old 3600? I got one, thinking of selling it cheap to finance lens or another 5600. ;p

Another 5600?... lolx...
how many flash you need to flare?... (just kidding )
is A1 able to utilise so many powerful flash?... :sweat:

btw, how much are you planning to sell the 3600? condition?

 

[Drudkh]

i agree with you that the buildin flash work fine within the range (which is quite a short distance)...



Another 5600?... lolx...
how many flash you need to flare?... (just kidding )
is A1 able to utilise so many powerful flash?... :sweat:

btw, how much are you planning to sell the 3600? condition?

hah i ever tried in an outing my A1 can ignite 5 wireless flashes! :bsmilie: and the poor model almost got blinded.

 

[pshing]

hah i ever tried in an outing my A1 can ignite 5 wireless flashes! :bsmilie: and the poor model almost got blinded.

5 wireless flashes?... the model is really pathetic...
but i also wish to have a chance to try it out, hahaa.... :blah:

 

[TME]

5 wireless flashes?... the model is really pathetic...
but i also wish to have a chance to try it out, hahaa.... :blah:

Model pathetic... no lar I think u mean poor thing right???

 

[pshing]

Model pathetic... no lar I think u mean poor thing right???

ya, something like that...
wrong vocab, mi english very poor thing too... hehe...

 

[Flare]

Super OT:

Drudkh, you sadistic ley... trying to blind her and toast her all at the same time... anyway, how did the pic turn out? I can't really think how you use 5 flash ley...
1 Keylight, 1 fill in, 1 background, 1 hair light = only 4 ley Since you say u use wireless, don't think you are hiding flashes behind curtains... :dunno:

 

[TME]

5th one is to bounce of reflector for a certain ambient colour cast???

 

[pshing]

may be the model is holding one flash on hand for shooting.
like those advertisment in fast food, a guy holding a burger like that...

btw, how you guys control the exposal with so many flashes on?

 

[spurssy]

Flashmode not detected, sounds like a prob I had with my Dimage 5 some time back, except that the flash (sensor) was totally gone! Imagine that happening 1 wk before a French vacation!

Anyway the guy from the KM service center fixed it in 2-3 days for $80. He said something about replacing some PCB...

Adams

 

[Flare]

Flashmode not detected, sounds like a prob I had with my Dimage 5 some time back, except that the flash (sensor) was totally gone! Imagine that happening 1 wk before a French vacation!

Anyway the guy from the KM service center fixed it in 2-3 days for $80. He said something about replacing some PCB...

Adams

Hee Hee... Thanks!!

 

[AnthonyGrim]

Thanks for the help. Hee... just fooled around my cam for a couple of days, and think that whatever type of sensor (should be pressure sensitve) used to detect if the flash is up has malfunctioned (rain?). But if i flip the flash up in certain manner, it'll still switch on. Well, I do use external flash, but well, i still need the pop up if I wanna do wireless, so I guess i'll have to get it fix.

But well, the built in flash is pretty good if you ask me, it's wide enough that doesn't give the proper exposed cener but under exposed outer thingy, and it's very nice if the flash is used within the limit.

ot:
Hee, wanna get a 2(?) year old 3600? I got one, thinking of selling it cheap to finance lens or another 5600. ;p

Hi! I'm new here! Is it that you want to sell off the 3600? Is it 3600 HS(D)? I'm sort of interested in getting one.

 

[deslim27]

Hi! I'm new here! Is it that you want to sell off the 3600? Is it 3600 HS(D)? I'm sort of interested in getting one.

3600, 3600 HS(D).. same thing.. Upz for you.. :bsmilie:

 

[Drudkh]

Hi! I'm new here! Is it that you want to sell off the 3600? Is it 3600 HS(D)? I'm sort of interested in getting one.

yes, there's only 1 3600, be it HS or D, still the same thing. I'm using it, very good for portraits and close ups.

 

[Flare]

Hee... Can contact me if you like to try it over a weekend. As long as it comes back in the number of pieces it was. It's a pretty good simple flash, compared to the 5600, the main differences are:

- Lower power
- No swivel head (only up down tilt)
- No manual controls

I'm interested in flash photography, so the no manual mode part is a restriction. Still wondering should i get the East Gear studio flash kit (i'm poor ley) or another 1 or 2 5600 (D). Extra 5600 would be so much more expensive (1 5600 cost more than the kit liao), but i'll be able to use it outdoors without problems with power. But then, think i need a flash meter first...