topic Re: Pop Flash Issues in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:42:08 GMT

Hello everyone! I currently own an used Canon t3i, and it is an amazing camera that suits me very well. But recently I decided to get started on flash photography, and realized that my camera's flash pops up, fires, but the image is still very dark. It isn't a shutter/aperture/ISO problem, since I've tried all combinations with the flash firing. I haven't found solutions for this issue anywhere, and I was hoping someone could help!

Thanks in advance!

Re: Pop Flash Issues

kvbarkley — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:52:29 GMT

Have you tried the green square mode?

Can you post a sample?

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Richard — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:59:36 GMT

Hi Teopimenta,

Thank you for posting.

To allow us to better assist you, please reply with the following information:

Does this occur with every flash photo you take?
If you take an identical photo without the flash, with the camera in it's "P" (Program AE) mode, is the resulting image properly exposed?
When this occurs, how close are you to your subject?

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:05:13 GMT

Hello and thanks for answering!

1. This happens to every photograph I take, no exceptions.
2. I've tried shooting on P mode, and the exposure seems just fine, but the flash doesn't work in this mode either, or any other.
3. I've tried taking very close photos, medium distances and far away, and none of those seemed to work whatsoever.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:14:01 GMT

What lens are you using? Larger lenses can cast a shadow when used with a flash

BTW, the flash pops up automatically only in certain Basic shooting modes. If you wish to use the flash in "P" mode, then you must manually raise the flash by pressing the. Lightning icon button on top of the camera, or by releasing the flash in the Quick Menu.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:15:00 GMT

Also, the built-in flash does not reach much beyond 10 feet, or so.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:17:51 GMT

I am using the 50mm 1.8 II, but I've tried with the 18-55 kit lens as well.

I know that the flash won't pop up by himself beyond the basic modes, and I've been pressing the pop flash button, and it has deployed and fired, but the lighting didn't show up on the photo.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:18:39 GMT

And yes, I've tried different distances, most of them actually quite close, about 1-3 feet away.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:36:58 GMT

Hello, and thanks for answering.

I've tried most of the basic modes, including the Portrait and the Green Square ones, and all of the manual ones (M, Av, Tv and P), and none of those seemed to work with my firing flash.

Right now I've got two sample photos, with the exact same subject and conditions (1/80s, f/ 1.8), and one I've got 400 ISO and flash OFF, and the other one 100 ISO and flash deployed and fired.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:50:33 GMT

How are you determining your exposure settings? Especially, ISO?

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:52:31 GMT

I try shooting always on the lowest ISO possible, and in this case I shot 400 ISO without flash firing, and 100 ISO with it firing, but it didn't make a difference (i posted some sample photos, see if you can check those)

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:31:59 GMT

@teopimenta wrote:
I try shooting always on the lowest ISO possible, and in this case I shot 400 ISO without flash firing, and 100 ISO with it firing, but it didn't make a difference (i posted some sample photos, see if you can check those)

I asked because your shots are under exposed. Do you know how to read the exposure meter in the viewfinder?

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:55:45 GMT

Yes, I do. These images are actually brighter, but they get darker when I convert from RAW .cr2 to .jpg, and I don't have Lightroom at my disposal right now. Sorry that the images aren't optimized

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:09:01 GMT

@teopimenta wrote:
Yes, I do. These images are actually brighter, but they get darker when I convert from RAW .cr2 to .jpg, and I don't have Lightroom at my disposal right now. Sorry that the images aren't optimized

I cannot think of any rational reason for photos to darken just because you convert them from RAW to JPEG, not unless your processing is darkening them.

Your shots are underexposed. Period. There is nothing obviously wrong with your flash. The dead giveaway is your underexposed shot without any flash. Check your camera for exposure compensation. Raise your ISO to 800 with flash.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

kvbarkley — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:12:09 GMT

Exposure compensation has no effect on the flash exposure. That is what Flash exposure compensation is for.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:15:20 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
Exposure compensation has no effect on the flash exposure. That is what Flash exposure compensation is for.

I know that. But, the photo without flash is dark, too. I suspect low ISO more than compensation settings.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

teopimenta — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:17:12 GMT

I'm sorry. These shots are indeed underexposed. But what I mean to say is that even when I try shooting P mode (with no underexposure), flash and no flash, there is no difference. My flash is not showing up on my pictures, even though its firing.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

Waddizzle — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:22:50 GMT

@teopimenta wrote:
I'm sorry. These shots are indeed underexposed. But what I mean to say is that even when I try shooting P mode (with no underexposure), flash and no flash, there is no difference. My flash is not showing up on my pictures, even though its firing.

Try resetting your camera. Try taking pictures in Green [A] mode.

Re: Pop Flash Issues

diverhank — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:21:20 GMT

I'm puzzled on what you're reporting...not sure why the flash is not registering on your pictures...

Let's analyze your sample pictures...you set Av to 1.8, Tv to 1/80 for both pictures but for the second one without flash..you upped the ISO to 400 from 100 (2 f/stops increase). This picture is still very under-exposed. For the flash picture (1st one, with ISO 100...it is even much underexposed by two more stops and even with flash it looks very dark. Problem is that we don't know whether the built-in flash simply didn't have even umph to light the picture up or it simply doesn't register. This is why the sample pictures you posted are not helping. You should have kept everything the same (don't change ISO) and fire off one with and without flash so we can see that the results don't change.

Let's assume the flash fired but didn't get registered...the only thing I can think of is that if somehow there is an option to prevent the flash from firing. If there is, you might be seeing the flash firing for focusing but not the actual flash. Check the menu and make sure the option is not set to flash disable: