Bzzt...!!..350D pop up flash...Bzzt...!!

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/30/2006 11:13:10 AM · #1

Hi all..
I have just recently encounter this weird thing which happen with my 350D. I have a blue curtain which i tried to focus on (AF) with my kit lens (18-55mm EF. Time - night. Lighting condition - Tungsten bulb (pretty dim). So I pop the flash and tried to focus... just the curtain and no object.

The flash just started to go Bzzztt... and turned on-off at a very quick rate for, say, abt 1 sec. when I pressed the button halfway down. When its done doing that, i couldnt take a pic and need to release the shutter button. tried second time and it happened again. So it kinda freaked me out now.

however, i tried manual focus, and the flash works well again. The flash works ok with AF when i asked a friend to pose in front of the curtain.

Is something wrong with my camera?? :( -worried-

Thanks!

JayWalk

Canon EOS-6D

03/30/2006 11:15:46 AM · #2

Camera could not get a focus lock, thus why it did not take the pic. Not really sure about the buzzing... you sure it wasn't the lens trying to focus?

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

03/30/2006 11:16:04 AM · #3

Nope, nothings wrong, the camera just can't focus without something with some contrast to work with.

03/30/2006 11:20:24 AM · #4

i mean the pop up flash was basically flashing on-and-off non stop for abt a sec... prob. it was trying to lit up the condition, im not sure. so as it was doing that, the buzzing sound of repeatative flashes (sounds as though those flies got electrocuted by the electric fly traps)

bluenova

03/30/2006 11:21:08 AM · #5

I think by Bzzztt.., he means the noise of the flash firing. It does that to try and get a lock on focus, but if it wouldn't take a shot then as kirbic there is nothing for it to focus on.

smilebig4me1x

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

03/30/2006 11:25:56 AM · #6

mine does this buzzing & flashing too...I just thought it was too dark for AF to work without some additional light. If flash isnt enough light it wont lock focus. I think this is right....at least how it works for me anyways. I usualy just turn on additional light, lock focus, then turn off light but i have camera settings on manual so the extra light doesnt offset the exposure i want or need for the shot
~~Cher~~ :o)

bluenova

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/30/2006 11:31:33 AM · #7

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

mine does this buzzing & flashing too...I just thought it was too dark for AF to work without some additional light.

That's right, but in jayhan's case I think the surface is too smooth, no edge to focus on.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

03/30/2006 11:49:45 AM · #8

The solution is to set the lens to manual focus. And the camera will usually take the shot. At least in fully manual mode.

tristalisk

03/30/2006 12:36:29 PM · #9

Mine does it as well. I had assumed it had somthing to do with light metering..

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

03/30/2006 01:22:39 PM · #10

ahh thanks guys! :D
at least now i know its not only my 350D is doing this... so its normal.
and better still i just learned why it did what it did. :)

cheers!

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

03/30/2006 04:59:27 PM · #11

The 300D cycles the on-board flash like that when its dark as a focus-assist aid. I think the 350D does it also.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

03/30/2006 05:15:29 PM · #12

My 350xt does the same. What's happening is even though the flash is strobing to produce light for your AF the dark fabric is absorbing the light not allowing the camera to achieve focus and since your in the AF mode it will not let you take a picture.

You can do one of two things to help.
1. Place a small white piece of tape on the fabric so the flash strobe will bounce off that and you should be able to achieve focus as long as you are focusing on the white tape.

2. The other is good old fashion manual focus.

Message edited by author 2006-03-30 17:16:37.

C-town driver

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

03/31/2006 12:46:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by hankk:

The 300D cycles the on-board flash like that when its dark as a focus-assist aid. I think the 350D does it also.

^^^ yup