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Photog Nesties...
I have a question about my SLR...
I took pictures at an indoor event a couple weeks ago with low lighting.
I noticed my camera was acting funny... wouldn't let me take pictures one right after another, like it was lagging. I'm thinking there's a problem with my flash? It got really hot too. I could be crazy, but it looked like it just wasn't providing the normal amount of light either - my pictures were kind of fuzzy. I have taken pictures since then, outside in plenty of light, and don't seem to have problems.
Does that sound right? Could my flash bulb be going out? Or a more serious issue?
Every time I've taken my camera back to Wolf/Ritz, they've had to send it back to Nikon, and it takes a couple weeks to get it back (I HATE being without my camera!!!). Any other suggestions how/where to get it fixed?
THANKS!
Glacier Hiking in Alaska, Summer 2011
Re: Photog Nesties...
are you talking about the pop up flash on your camera, or did you have another flash on the camera?
if your pics were fuzzy, it could have been lens's inability to focus due to lack of light. if your camera can't figure out what you want it to focus on, it can give you that "why isn't the camera taking a picture?!?!?!" feeling.
your flash may have been needing to put out more light to compensate for the lack of light in the room. taking lots of pics in a row like that can make the flash get hot, and it does take some time to recycle and get ready to flash again when you're making it work hard (kind of like flushing a toilet... it has to refill. you can't flush and flush and flush an still get the same amount of suction).
the flash may not have had time to recycle. it's running off the same battery power as your camera... those pros you see with flash after flash in succession are generally using some sort of external battery pack to get their flashes to do that.
i would imagine it's a combo if the lens not being able to function well in the low light, and the flash not having time to recycle (especially if your camera is doing fine with that same lens in good light outside).
what kind of lens were you shooting with? you generally can't achieve a good quick focus in lower light with a lower end/kit lens. they just don't have the brains/speed to do what the higher end lenses can do.
look at the front where the light comes out of the flash... is it brown at all, or normal looking?
my photography blog
Okay, first, you rock. That was such a kind and in depth answer!
The flash is the built-in flash with the camera. It doesn't look brown or abnormal in any way. After reading this, I just played with it in my house (admittedly, I had not really tried since this occurrence) and it seemed fine for several pictures. I think you're exactly right - I just over worked it and it needed more time to recycle.
The fuzzy pictures could be related to the fact that my auto focus is broken and I was doing a bad job of manually focusing... that and this lens is obviously lower end and probably on it's way out/just not communicating with the body very well. They told me it would cost as much to repair the autofocus as it would to buy a new, better lens.
Thank you!
you are welcome-- i know how frustrating it can be to not be able to make your equipment work!
those kit lenses aren't built for the long haul. look on ebay or texas photo forum's "buy and sell" forum and find a good lens!!! you could even get another of the same lens you have for pretty cheap, i bet.
manual focus is for the birds, especially if subjects are moving at all... seriously, (unless you are shooting macro, in which case it can be helpful). i have honestly never found a situation (aside from super close up macro) when i do a better job of focusing than my camera.
my photography blog
It is so frustrating! Sorry you had problems. It could just be so many things. I actually bought an off brand memory card (a cheapy back-up) and it has actually caused problems with how fast I can take pictures. There is like a delay sometimes. So basically, I just stopped using that card because I kept having problems with it.
Also in low light, it is often difficult for the camera to focus. Maybe it was just a weird lighting issue...???
The Camera Exchange down on Richmond, near the Galleria is a great place and the folks there always are very helpful. I might suggest taking it there for a look.