828 built in flas too harsh?

trevorise · 1st July 2004

Anyone feels that the flash is too harsh and bright for normal photo taking like in a cafe with ur frens etc?

I tried using a matt surfaced pvc to cover the flash unit but it doesn't cut the harshness but it just shortens the range of the flash, not diffusing the light.

Any suggestions?

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 1st July 2004

i guess there is really nothing much you can do, since you can't bounce the light or something. even lowering your flash power dun think will have much effects.

snowspeeder · 2nd July 2004

Either you could use the low setting for the built in flash, or try covering it with a tissue paper or white hankerchief. Think it does help diffuse a little but limited effect.

pianodancer · 2nd July 2004

Are you referring to the preview on the LCD? My experience is that you have to lower the brightness of the LCD, because the photos look overexposed onscreen, but after you upload to your PC, it should look ok.

Another reason is that the flash output is dependent on the focusing distance. So if you focus the person furthest away, then the closest person would be overexposed. The exposure metering also plays are strong part. If your subjects wear black, then F828 will hit with a stronger flash thinking that the image is dark.

Finally, you may want to reduce the exposure value manually for close-up flash photography.

Last hint: if you want the cafe background to be correctly exposed, you have to use slow-sync flash mode.

bry'an · 2nd July 2004

one more ... buy external flash, then you can see a BIG JUMP !!!

bernards · 2nd July 2004

There was once a post about sticking a small piece of white photo paper under the flash to make it bounce. Don't know if the post is still around.

King Tiger · 3rd July 2004

Originally Posted by trevorise

Anyone feels that the flash is too harsh and bright for normal photo taking like in a cafe with ur frens etc?

I tried using a matt surfaced pvc to cover the flash unit but it doesn't cut the harshness but it just shortens the range of the flash, not diffusing the light.

Any suggestions?

How about if you change the light mode to SL.

trevorise · 3rd July 2004

thanks for all the cool replies..
okie..tissue paper? hmm..i've even tried 70gm white printing paper..and i'm wowed by the power of our flaw jewel's flash!! And ya..i tried..it doesn't look as harsh on computer as on LCD..

SL flash mode is slightly better..

artyboy · 25th July 2004

yes they are too harsh if u are shooting close distance. i've found the simple solution - stand further back and zoom in instead of closeup at wide-angle setting.

1st July 2004	#1
trevorise Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 93	828 built in flas too harsh? Anyone feels that the flash is too harsh and bright for normal photo taking like in a cafe with ur frens etc? I tried using a matt surfaced pvc to cover the flash unit but it doesn't cut the harshness but it just shortens the range of the flash, not diffusing the light. Any suggestions?

1st July 2004	#2
Del_CtrlnoAlt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Outside the Dry Box. Posts: 16,342	i guess there is really nothing much you can do, since you can't bounce the light or something. even lowering your flash power dun think will have much effects. __________________ Logging Off Permanently. Those who need to contact me will know where to contact me.

2nd July 2004	#4
pianodancer Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,547	Are you referring to the preview on the LCD? My experience is that you have to lower the brightness of the LCD, because the photos look overexposed onscreen, but after you upload to your PC, it should look ok. Another reason is that the flash output is dependent on the focusing distance. So if you focus the person furthest away, then the closest person would be overexposed. The exposure metering also plays are strong part. If your subjects wear black, then F828 will hit with a stronger flash thinking that the image is dark. Finally, you may want to reduce the exposure value manually for close-up flash photography. Last hint: if you want the cafe background to be correctly exposed, you have to use slow-sync flash mode. __________________ Musician \| Photographer \| Blogger Facebook

2nd July 2004	#3
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	Either you could use the low setting for the built in flash, or try covering it with a tissue paper or white hankerchief. Think it does help diffuse a little but limited effect.

2nd July 2004	#5
bry'an Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pasir Ris Posts: 330	one more ... buy external flash, then you can see a BIG JUMP !!!

2nd July 2004	#6
bernards Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 884	There was once a post about sticking a small piece of white photo paper under the flash to make it bounce. Don't know if the post is still around.

3rd July 2004	#8
trevorise Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 93	thanks for all the cool replies.. okie..tissue paper? hmm..i've even tried 70gm white printing paper..and i'm wowed by the power of our flaw jewel's flash!! And ya..i tried..it doesn't look as harsh on computer as on LCD.. SL flash mode is slightly better..

25th July 2004	#9
artyboy Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 258	yes they are too harsh if u are shooting close distance. i've found the simple solution - stand further back and zoom in instead of closeup at wide-angle setting.