A95 Auto Exposure / Flash problem

[tyagi]

I've got a Canon A95, which has had moderate use over the past 12 months. It has always performed as expected until recently (the past week or so).

The problem appears to be when using Auto mode with flash in poor light, or indoors.

The camera appears to set itself to 1/60 and F2.8 with the flash enabled. The flash fires and the shutter activates. However, the resulting image is very dark (very very dark).

If the flash is turned off, the same shot turns out OK (with some blurring due to camera shake if it is really poor light). Manual modes and semi-auto modes appear to work OK.

It is as if the flash and shutter timing is not synchronised correctly in Auto mode. I've tried new batteries, and recharged batteries. The camera appears to be working just fine in good light conditions.

Is this a configuration problem on my part, or a known problem with the A95? Any suggestions?

[BowerR64]

Im gona just sugest some things because i dont know whats wrong with it but it never hurts to try.

Is there some weird setting in the menu for red eye that maybe on or set?

Have you looked at the apature when its taking pictures? you can look down into the front of the lens and you can see the apature moving open when it composes the shot then it wil close down to the right setting and then fire. It could be its not opening enough. Remember F8 is a small apature and 2.8 is larger. It could be stuck or somthing and not opening all the way.

What about trying to trick the camera and see what its doing, like turn the lights of so its very dark, compose the shot then flip them on and see what its doing. Maybe its reading the shot wrong? there is a sensor in the fron that is supose to "grade" the lighting then adjust the camera for the correct exsposure right? maybe its not doing that.

What does it do in "P" mode? "P" mode is very similar to auto but you can change a few things you cant in auto to add some creativeness to the image.

Is there a "factore default settings" you can adjust in the menu so the came defaults back to stock settings?

There is a watch battery that saves the date and settings and stuff yo may have to pull it out to reset all the factory settings.

[phatboy]

I might be kinda late in the discussion here but I think my A85 started doing the exact same thing. But I think I know what the problem is... the flash module!! Normally, in all modes exact Manual mode, there is pre-flash and then the main flash. But the circuit is now faulty and the main flash is not fired and the full energy stored is used up in the pre-flash. Thus, the image is dark because it the shutter speed and aperture is expecting light from the flash, but it fires to early, ie. the pre-flash. My camera still works perfectly outdoors or where the flash isn't required. If you are getting only one flash instead of two, then I would say that this is your problem. I think you need to send it to Canon for repair.

Good Luck!