A2 poor flash exposure low-light portraits

Hifriday2 · Apr 19, 2004

Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue. Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in advance for your input.

GeorgeL · Apr 19, 2004

I am too new and not really one to ask but my flashes were a bit underexposed too. I bumped the flash compensation up to +0.7 and it helped, but I am still experimenting. Have you tried: http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq#ACC5
Those guys did a wonderful job of putting it together.
geo

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

andythao · Apr 19, 2004

You're not the only one experiencing this underexposure. I and others have experienced it too - even with the external flash like Minolta 2500 D. After setting to +0.7 (or even+1.0), then the exposures seem more correct (though overexposed at short distance

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

vivaldibow · Apr 19, 2004

It happened on my 7Hi too. I guess what others suggested
is right.

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

engbert · Apr 19, 2004

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

It might be good if you could post some examples, especially containing the EXIF data. Several people here will usually offer some suggestions.

You might be sure that you are using the Flex Focus point to be sure the camera is focussed on the subject. The default wide area focus is not very reliable - it has to try to figure out for itself what to focus on. and that may not always be what you had intended.

The default focus mode is ADI, which makes use of the distance to the subeject which it gets from the auto focus, as well as the preflash information, to determine the correct exposure.

Another question: are you too far from the subject? The guide number for the built in flash at iso 100 (with the zoom at 85mm I think) is 26 in feet. So at f5.6 your suject should only be 26/5.6, or about 4-5 feet away. At iso400 you could double this.

For the 5600hsd add on flash the corresponding guide number is about 170, so at f5.6 you could directly illuminate a subject over 30 feet away.

Built in flashes are not all that powerful - this is one of the best. That is one of many reasons why so many people use external flashes.

--
http://www.pbase.com/bertramm
pbase & dpreview supporter
Dimage A2, TCON-17, Canon s50, Epsom 3200 scanner, HP 2500 printer
Photoshop CS, Qimage, ACDSee, Neat Image

Magnus Nystedt · Apr 19, 2004

I can confirm your experience and the others suggestions. Flash compensation of +.5 to +1 seem to work for me with the built in flash, depending on the situation.

Magnus

PrincetonX · Apr 19, 2004

HiFriday2:

Yes, I've noticed that too.

I am very pleased with the A2 in general, however, I find that the internal flash in the A2 is too weak and I'm not happy with the results of the color balance on my indoor flash shots. The ambient indoor light appears to overwhelm the weak light from the flash and the color temperature seems to always be incorrect. Results vary depending on how far I am from the subject and the performance is just too inconsistent for my liking. The closer I am to the subject, the better the color balance and illumination, which is what I would expect from an underpowered flash.

I've been experimenting with my high powered Braun 380BVC that I mount to the A2 with a bracket and connect it electrically through the A2 PC connector. So far I'm getting pretty decent results when I use the Braun in Auto Mode in conjunction with the built-in A2 flash.

I'm still experimenting with this flash set-up, but the results are pleasing so far -- Much more consistent than the built-in Minolta flash by itself.

Regards,

PrincetonX

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

G1 · Apr 19, 2004

I have found that exposures with either the internal flash or using an external flash (Minolta 3600HS) . Increasing the flash exposure to +.7 gives good results. All tests were done within the working distances for the flash.

HiFriday2 said:
Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

GeorgeL · Apr 19, 2004

I was wondering about the 'off color' on the indoor flash, as well.

Figured it was my error, hehe, or the WB, what ever that is... I'll look it up some day soon. I am up to +1.0 and the Histogram looks good(what ever it is).
Mine sometimes have a 'greenish' tinge and I don't know what to do to correct.
Thx, Geo

PrincetonX said:
Yes, I've noticed that too.

I am very pleased with the A2 in general, however, I find that the
internal flash in the A2 is too weak and I'm not happy with the
results of the color balance on my indoor flash shots. The ambient
indoor light appears to overwhelm the weak light from the flash and
the color temperature seems to always be incorrect. Results vary
depending on how far I am from the subject and the performance is
just too inconsistent for my liking. The closer I am to the
subject, the better the color balance and illumination, which is
what I would expect from an underpowered flash.

I've been experimenting with my high powered Braun 380BVC that I
mount to the A2 with a bracket and connect it electrically through
the A2 PC connector. So far I'm getting pretty decent results when
I use the Braun in Auto Mode in conjunction with the built-in A2
flash.

I'm still experimenting with this flash set-up, but the results are
pleasing so far -- Much more consistent than the built-in Minolta
flash by itself.

Regards,

PrincetonX

HiFriday2 said:

Just bought my A2 yesterday and so far have been quite happy with
the camera even though I haven't had a chance to take many pictures
yet.

However I have noticed very poor flash exposure when taking low
light portraits using the built-in flash with P or AUTO modes which
surprised me. The subject (not background) is moderately to
seriously underexposed (the histogram is bunched in the left
quarter, with nearly no pixels in the right quarter). I tried
varying the ISO as well as WB but results were similar. The shutter
speed is around 1/50 to 1/60 sec so don't think sync is any issue.
Also the subject is within 5 feet. Flash mode is set to FILL-FLASH
and ADI-FLASH control.

Odd thing is the flash exposure seems properly exposed on non-human
subjects. For the human subjects without the flash, the exposure is
fine (but of course there is too much blurring from the slow
shutter).

Night Portrait mode is fine, but the shutter speed is a little too
slow. I know I can always use the flash exposure compensation or
set the camera to Manual, but it seems odd to me that the A2 would
have so much trouble giving proper flash exposure specifically for
human subjects using the P/Auto modes.

Does anyone else have this experience or is there something I am
setting wrong (believe most setup options at default)? Thanks in
advance for your input.

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A2 poor flash exposure low-light portraits

Hifriday2

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GeorgeL

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andythao

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vivaldibow

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engbert

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Magnus Nystedt

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PrincetonX

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G1

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GeorgeL

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