Pros and cons of the S5 manual flash?

[ecs4gl]

This is my first post - I searched for "manual flash S5" and did not see where this question was addressed in the forum. Sorry if it's a repeat.

The S5 is on the short list of super zoom cameras I am looking to buy. I can't get past the fact that you have to manually raise the flash when required in low light situations. Frankly, this feature baffles me, when most other super zooms don't have that design. On most cameras the flash automatically pops up and you don't have to think about it.

We'll be taking many pictures indoors on mostly auto mode (my spouse will go auto - I will "play" with the manual modes), so I imagine that little message on the LCD about raising the flash will happen to us a lot.

Questions:
1. Does anyone else feel this is not a good design? The extra second I take raising the flash will eventually cause me to miss a good picture of my kids.

2. If you raise the flash when you turn the camera on and leave it up, will it still only flash as needed and not every time? That would be an acceptable work around for me.

3. Or, does the IS feature reduce the need for the flash on many indoor shots (because you can go with slower shutter speed), and it won't happen that often?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide to me.

[Paradox]

I don't have experience with the S5, but I have the FZ50 which uses a manual flash pop-up as well. And I'm strongly in favour of that feature - I hate the thought of the flash just popping up because the camera feels like it (I use manual mode 98% of the time, but for the occasional auto shot I do). It doesn't take much effort to flick the release switch, and I'd imagine there's a mode where the camera determines if it needs the flash anyway.

Also, IS is next to useless in low light - yes it lets you use a slower shutter speed. But a slow shutter speed means if your subject, the small and elusive children, move (Which is, let's face it, likely), then they will blur. That's why for indoor shots a good high ISO performance is preferred, and hence why a DSLR is far superior for indoor shots.

[David Metsky]

I have the S3 with the same feature. I prefer it myself, as I want to decide when to flash and when not. It's very easy to flip it up without taking my hands off the camera or my eye from the viewfinder.

[Turn]

I have zero trouble with it

my middle finger on either hand can easily reach it and lift it up and I find that to be better than auto raise as I rarely

and I mean
RARELY

use flash...unless its for happy snaps

[griptape]

I personally liked the fact that the camera didn't decide for me whether or not I wanted to use flash. Idiot proofing is great for idiots, I just happen to not be an idiot. Which if you want to leave your camera in auto mode, I'm not saying that makes you an idiot in general, but if you want your camera to think for you, the S5 might not be your cup of tea. Leaving it on auto mode is like buying a Porsche with a 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission.

[ecs4gl]

Thanks for the opinions on this flash. My co-worker bought an S5 and brought it to work for me to try. You can just leave the flash raised and it will still only fire it up if needed, which is what I was hoping. That will make my wife happy if we end up buying one. My co-worker also said, as David and Turn both pointed out, that it's really not that hard to flick your finger and pop it up when needed.

Griptape - what would make this camera my cup of tea is exactly the fact that is has full auto mode for different levels of users in my family. Hence, the reason I'm asking about the auto mode on the flash. I would dig into the more advanced features on my own, so this camera could cover everyone's requirements. I understood exactly the point you were making, but your phrasing was a bit condescending. If I was was an 'idiot' I would have been offended. :D

[griptape]

Griptape - what would make this camera my cup of tea is exactly the fact that is has full auto mode for different levels of users in my family. Hence, the reason I'm asking about the auto mode on the flash. I would dig into the more advanced features on my own, so this camera could cover everyone's requirements.

Yeah, if you have family members that are idiots using the camera you can just leave the flash up when set on auto mode.

[JTL]

I personally liked the fact that the camera didn't decide for me whether or not I wanted to use flash. Idiot proofing is great for idiots, I just happen to not be an idiot. Which if you want to leave your camera in auto mode, I'm not saying that makes you an idiot in general, but if you want your camera to think for you, the S5 might not be your cup of tea. Leaving it on auto mode is like buying a Porsche with a 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission.Actually, using Porsche is not a good example since they feature the Tiptronic S transmission...which is essentially an automatic transmission with clutchless shifting. For the record, Porsche and Audi drivers are NOT idiots. We love our Tiptronics and with good reason! :D

[griptape]

Actually, using Porsche is not a good example since they feature the Tiptronic S transmission...which is essentially an automatic transmission with clutchless shifting. For the record, Porsche and Audi drivers are NOT idiots. We love our Tiptronics and with good reason! :D

Well, it looks like I'm the idiot. :)

[danidabi]

If the S5 is like th S3 then its a good camera for all levels. You and your wife should both enjoy it.

As for the flash it really isn't that hard to flick it up. Some other cameras have a button you have to push to bring up the flash, this does not.


3. Or, does the IS feature reduce the need for the flash on many indoor shots (because you can go with slower shutter speed), and it won't happen that often?

The IS feature is useful but not to use slower shutter speeds on moving objects.

Just my personal experience but I hate the indoor capabilites of the S3, again I'm unsure of how the S5 is. I never use ISO above 100 cause it get's grainy. If I use the flash the pics look blown out. Needless to say I don't take shots indoor unless I have good lighting, or if I do the pics are of objects that don't move and I use a slow shutter speed.

[JTL]

If I use the flash the pics look blown out.May I introduce you to page 82 of your user guide? This is what flash compensation is for. Don't blame the tool for your lack of using it to its full potential. ;)

Don't make me post dozens of perfectly exposed S3 flash photos now just to prove a point...I've got other stuff to do...:D:)



.

[danidabi]

Digs out user guide......:rolleyes: I'll give this a shot just for you:)

[JTL]

Digs out user guide......:rolleyes:You made me smile! :)

Hey...no one ever said good flash photography was easy...it's a pain in the butt! :D

[FLiPMaRC]

Digs out user guide......:rolleyes: I'll give this a shot just for you:)

Here's the online user guide page ... http://web.canon.jp/imaging/pss3is/205-e.html#05

[danidabi]

I found it, still don't like it.....but thats just me.

When I said blown out I mean that the people are really bright and the background is really dark. I did play with the flash settings last night and still got the same results as before. I do use the flash but for pics at partys and stuff, not for the more artistic photos. I'm going to keep working on this, just not right now:confused::confused:

[JTL]

I found it, still don't like it.....but thats just me.

When I said blown out I mean that the people are really bright and the background is really dark. I did play with the flash settings last night and still got the same results as before. I do use the flash but for pics at partys and stuff, not for the more artistic photos. I'm going to keep working on this, just not right now:confused::confused:You've got to learn to "drag the shutter". That is, allow in enough ambient light to expose the background and just enough flash to "paint" your subject with highlights. It takes a while to learn, but the results are worth it. The only way to do it is manually of course. Practice, practice, practice.

Some of Neil van Niekerk's examples, although written with the DSLR user in mind, are apllicable to any camera with manual controls. Also, a diffuser will help in some situations.

http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/3-dragging-the-shutter/

[danidabi]

^^Thxs for the tip. I also got a digital photgraphy book today from a fellow DRP user and hopefully it will help with the flash issue too!!

[downtrodden]

JTL, thanks for that link, i've always wondered exactly how dragging was done, i've experimented but got frustrated after hours of not getting good results.. that gives me a place to statt from!

[JTL]

Happy to help! :)

Let's hear how it goes. It's not easy, that's for sure. I guess for folks who shoot a lot of weddings, it becomes second nature. The rest of us have to stop and think about it! :D

It goes somthing like this: "Let me see...the light meter says x, so what do I do? Oh yeah...underexpose two stops. Wait, I've got to dial back the flash...do have it set right? Let me think...hold still, I've almost got it...darn...I have to start over..." :D

[FLiPMaRC]

:cool: Excellent link JTL.


I think if your P&S camera has a "night scene" mode, it does something similar :) I haven't used it on the S3, but I have used it on my wife's SD630. At parties, I use it with the flash. But you have to have very steady hands or you will definitely see camera shake and blurriness in your shots. Since this is somewhat of an "auto / preset" mode, the camera will actually use high iso to compensate and you'll end up with noisy pictures. So that link is a good to know how to do it manually.