Digicam: Is there a flash...

[ndee]

which automagically measures the distance to the object in focus and automagically uses the right flash "power"?

 

[kyutip]

Not likely with onboard flash. Although on some digicams you can adjust the flash strength but that's just about it.
You will need a good external flash.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: kyutip
Not likely with onboard flash. Although on some digicams you can adjust the flash strength but that's just about it.
You will need a good external flash.

the external flashes do that? The Hot-Shoe ones etc.

 

[Ornery]

If the subject becomes fully illuminated before the flash is done, a good camera will finish it's exposure earlier. The EXIF Metadata will tell you how long the exposure time was on a shot.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Ornery
If the subject becomes fully illuminated before the flash is done, a good camera will finish it's exposure earlier. The EXIF Metadata will tell you how long the exposure time was on a shot.

Can you name some cameras with such a feature?

 

[EyeMWing]

My Olympus C-4000 (4mp, $300 factory refurb) seems to have an automatic varying flash, but not based on range, instead based on how f'n dark it is. A dim room won't bring a full flash, but an unlit room in the middle of a hurricane after the candles have gone out does.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
My Olympus C-4000 (4mp, $300 factory refurb) seems to have an automatic varying flash, but not based on range, instead based on how f'n dark it is. A dim room won't bring a full flash, but an unlit room in the middle of a hurricane after the candles have gone out does.

Currently on clearance at most Target B&M stores for under $300

 

[ElFenix]

the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

What's so bad about it? And why is a zoom lens bad?
http://www.elitepics.ch/index.php?inc=picdetail.php&event_id=4&pic_number=4
Made with the "worst inventions ever".

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

Why do you say that?

 

[IanthePez]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

If you mean the digital zoom, then I'll probably agree

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: lirion

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

Why do you say that?

too many people rely on a flash as their source of light.

zoom lenses because prime lenses are faster and cheaper.

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: lirion

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

Why do you say that?

Probably sniffs glue or something. Also prefers command line based web browsing over the GUI.

You'd be hard pressed to find a camera that didn't automatically adjust exposure during flash. Problems usually occur because of the subject's position in the metering zone. If they're out of that zone, they could be over or under exposed.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
My Olympus C-4000 (4mp, $300 factory refurb) seems to have an automatic varying flash, but not based on range, instead based on how f'n dark it is. A dim room won't bring a full flash, but an unlit room in the middle of a hurricane after the candles have gone out does.

Currently on clearance at most Target B&M stores for under $300

Not bad. I got it almost immediately after release though (I only waited long enough for refurbs to appear)

 

[Mark R]

The feature you want is called TTL flash metering. During the flash, the camera monitors the amount of light reaching the film/sensor and when the correct amount is reached it kills the flash.

I would have thought this feature was standard for the internal flash on most digicams given their price range. I know that it is on my Canon G3. If I add a genuine canon flash gun to my digicam it too will work in this mode.

I haven't investigated other cameras in detail, but it's a standard feature on 35mm cameras and compatible external flashes. My 1980s Nikon SLR had this feature, and it was an entry-level model.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: lirion

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the electronic flash is the worst photo invention ever, right ahead of zoom lenses.

Why do you say that?

too many people rely on a flash as their source of light.

zoom lenses because prime lenses are faster and cheaper.

As far as flash goes, I'll assume you mean for the average consumer. If flash is used right there's no reason very natural looking results can't be obtained using the flash as the exclusive source of light. I use flash for all of my macro work, and there's no other way I could do a lot of it, even if I was inclined to try.

Zoom lenses have come a long way as far as optical quality goes in recent years. You're right though, for the most part primes are indeed faster and cheaper, but that doesn't make them better for all aplications. Again I'll have to assume you're talking about the average consumer. There are times when the versitility of a zoom lens can be the difference between getting the shot and not. If you didn't get the shot because you were changing lenses when it happened, you can't compare results with the guy next to you who got his shot with a zoom.

 

[Ornery]

The title of this topic is 'Digicam: Is there a flash...', not 'Digital SLRs, is there a light box...'

How in the hell would we have gotten to the point that you can have pocket sized, 5X zoom, point & shoot, 4MP cameras for ~$500.00, if not for electronic flash and zoom lenses?

 

[wfbberzerker]

automagically, eh?