Canon 400D built in flash

Derben

Derben

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This is another embarrassing question - but I am a novice !!!

The built in flash on my Canon 400D sometimes flashes erratically. I can't find anything in the manual to explain this. I can only assume that it is a feature and not a fault. It happens when I half depress the button. Is it telling me that there is not enough light or that I am too close to a subject ? It will take the picture - only after flashing continuously, (and making a clicking noises). If I slightly move the camera from the subject, it will stop flashing...

Is this a built in feature - though I don't understand what it is warning me.

Adice appreciated.
 
Its just the flash putting more light on to the subject so that it can focus more easy on to it i think :D!
(dang got beet to it :p)
 
Often referred to as 'manic strobe' mode - even if it won't induce an epileptic fit in anyone, it frequently induces fits of anger, which can result in your model ripping the flash out of your camera :D

For an alternative, buy an external flash: on any but the most basic flashes, the little red window in the front projects a pattern onto your subject to assist focus instead. They won't even notice.
 
I hate the way the pop-up flashes strobe (I know it needs to, but it's still annoying) to find an AF point, it's blinding!

Especially when it can't find the right focus, it will keep strobing and blinding your subjects until it gets a lock lol.
 
I find it useful for photographing gigs in pubs. If any drunks try to talk to you, FLASH FLASH FLASH!
 
If you dislike this feature it can be turned off by going into the custom functions menu and selecting af flash emits and changing it to does not emit.

Hope this helps
 
Completely different question - you guys seem to know the 400D inside out...

I want to change the picture format to RAW. Does the 400D only let me do this in program mode. It doesn't let me change from JPEG to RAW in automatic mode - is this right ?

Cheers again...
 
Derben said:
Completely different question - you guys seem to know the 400D inside out...

I want to change the picture format to RAW. Does the 400D only let me do this in program mode. It doesn't let me change from JPEG to RAW in automatic mode - is this right ?

Cheers again...
Click to expand...
Correct. RAW is only available in the "creative zone" modes - Av, Tv, M and P. (And A-DEP but nobody ever uses that.)
 
I'm the nobody who uses A-DEP, I use it for chance shots, the ones where I hold the camera at arms length over my head (or out to the side) and pray, especially those where I want a large depth of field. When I cant see the viewfinder the A-DEP function means I dont have to worry too much about what its focussed on. Useful for big crowds (over the head) or bridges/viaducts (over the side). Am I alone?
 
From memory I think its short for auto depth of field. Whatever, it sets the aperture based on all the focus points that can get a lock-on so that the depth of field covers them all.
 
I find it a little embarrassing at times. Was at a wedding last summer and the room where the ceremony was taking place was dim. Everyone watching the ceremony and my strobe flash goes off as I try to photo the special moment. Everyone turns round to see what is going on!

Do you think the strobe could be a problem to those who suffer from fits?
 
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