After reading the instruction manual AGAIN, I find that the Optio S delivers 3 flashes per exposure, both for normal and for redeye reduction, the difference being there is a greater delay when using redeye reduction. I'm guessing that this flash sequence is similar to that of the MZ-S, where the pre-flashes are telling the camera the proper settings to use for the exposure.
Can anyone shed any light on this? Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Morphet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 8:39 AM Subject: RE: Optio S flash > Bill Owens wrote: > > I don't know how the MZ-S flash works, but I can confirm the number of > flashes from the Optio S. Is it using the first flash to meter the scene, > and the second (with duration modified appropriately) to make the exposure? > I wonder if a seperate flash sensor is required. Can it not just use the > CCD? > > This weekend I used my Optio S to take some flash pictures in dim light, > and I have to say that I was very disappointed with the results. Nearly > everything was badly underexposed, to the point where I don't expect it > to be salvagable. I had checked the flash range specs in the manual, > and I knew I was working right at the limit (perhaps a little bit beyond > it :-). I think my mistake was to leave the camera set on 'Auto' ISO: > While the flash ranges are specified at 200, it seems that the camera > saw fit to choose 100 ISO for these pictures. > > I would have hoped to have spotted the problem straight away on the LCD, > but it seems that this can give a rather optimistic interpretation of > underexposed images. The histograms do show what was going on, but I > wasn't looking at them. I will, next time. > > I think I know what I need to do to avoid these problems next time. (It > may involve an LX and fast film). Any other tips, or GIMP/Photoshop > recovery techniques, will be gratefully received. Unfortunately the > event, a christening, is unlikely to be repeated. > > Steve. >
