Panasonic TZ10 iAuto Flash

[Leo0123]

Hi,

I have Panasonic TZ10 and recently went on holiday. When at the beach where i had to wear sunglasses - the flash would still go off when the camera was on iAuto. In lighting which is strong it still goes off and the photos does not look that good. Is this a problem which I need to send the camera back as it is in its guarantee?

Thanks,
Leo

 

[shotokan101]

Doesn't sound right - what happens if you point it at a bright light source like a 100watt bulb - my TZ7 doesn't flash in iAuto then

Jim

 

[Leo0123]

Thanks for your response.

I have a 100 watt bulb in my bed room and pointed towards it (about 10cm away from it) the flash went off! Problem with camera i think?

Thanks

 

[shotokan101]

Thanks for your response.

I have a 100 watt bulb in my bed room and pointed towards it (about 10cm away from it) the flash went off! Problem with camera i think?

Thanks

Definitely sounds like it - does it fire even when you force it off in iAuto mode ?

Jim

 

[Prize78]

I've just set my tz10 to iA and the flash didn't fire when up close to the bulb, if that's any help??

 

[Leo0123]

Hi,

It doesnt go off when the camera is set to "no flash."

I have been spending a bit of time taking photos of the blub. Interestingly sometimes the flash doesnt go off, but most of the time it does. Also it seems to depend on which angle I take it. I think at the end of the day the flash shouldnt really go off at all?

With your camera, does it not go off all the time. How far away are you from the bulb?

Thanks

 

[Prize78]

I put on my light, (energy saver) and was about 30cm away, and the flash fired. As the light bulb 'warmed up', i went right in to about 10cm away, and it didn't flash on the subsequent 4 or 5 pictures at that distance. Get right up close mate, see how you get on.

 

[Leo0123]

Hi just tried it and the flash went off 4 out of 5 times. I will send it in for repair and see what happens! Thanks.

 

[RobbySpurs]

Hi interest to god this thread. I have noticed that my TZ10 seems to flash all the time as well, unless I manually turn it off. Did you send yours back and is it a fault or am I being a bit dense with the settings?

 

[lunar524]

A lot of compact camera's have a tendency to trigger the flash even when conditions dont warrant it, the TZ10 I've noticed even more so, especially if you have zoomed in a little. The lens is quite slow, and obviously if you zoom even by small amounts it reduces the light even more.

I still have an old little Canon Ixus 50, and that also triggers the flash in anything but good light.

I dont think they are faulty, it's more the fact they are small slow lenses, and IMO possibly the flash trigger level may be set a little on the safe side. Something I think you have to live with with this type of camera.
TBH, I dont find it a major problem, though I will be the first to admit the TZ camera's do like plenty of light, but is'nt that typical of most cheapend compacts, in fact, if it's at it's widest I don't think it's any worse than many other similar camera's.

I just leave it switched off, and enable it when I definately know I need it.

 

[Johnmcl7]

While the lens is slower there's still absolutely no reason for it to be using flash on automatic in bright sunlight unless set to forced mode for fill flash.

John

 

[lunar524]

While the lens is slower there's still absolutely no reason for it to be using flash on automatic in bright sunlight unless set to forced mode for fill flash.

John

Absolutely agree, in normal daylight... mine.. even in auto mode does not operate the flash, only time the flash will go off is usually indoors. It would have to be very dull and heavily overcast to trigger the flash outside. So yes, it does sound like you may have a problem.

I tried it in iAuto mode earlier in our lounge with main lights switched on plus 2 wall lights and the flash did not operate, though it did operate twice out of 8 shots without the addition of the wall lighting. Which I thought was not too bad. (Decor is fairly light and the 2 settee's are light cream colour too)

 

[RobbySpurs]

Thanks for the response guys. Definitely think there may be a problem then. The camera seems to flash in all conditions on iA, so looks like I will be contacting Amazon...