How can I force the flash to fire on a Canon IXUS 430 in bright indoor light?
Asked 7/22/2019
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I use a Canon IXUS 430 compact camera. In bright indoor conditions, especially on sunny days, the camera often decides there is enough light and doesn't fire the flash. I want the built-in flash to fire every time for fill light, even when the room is bright. Is there a setting that forces flash in this camera's Manual mode?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
2
Look at https://files.canon-europe.com/files/soft24061/Manual/IXUS500IXUS430_CUG_EN.pdf and specifically the page 58.
There are several modes:
- Auto
- Auto with red-eye reduction
- Flash on
- Flash off
- Slow synchro
Specifically, test the "flash on". I also recommend using a low ISO speed such as ISO 50 or ISO 100 with flash. The rules change with flash: when you have plenty of light, low ISO is preferable.
Your camera apparently doesn't allow to change aperture, and shutter speed control is limited, so those aren't the issue.
Oh, and don't expect too much from the feeble flash in your small pocket camera. Your camera weighs only 215 grams. A good flash itself weighs about twice that, and that doesn't even include the weight of the camera!
You should be looking for external dumb optical slave flashes, that detect the flash of your feeble integrated flash in the small pocket camera, and add another more powerful flash. It takes more than 215 grams to obtain a flash that is useful as a fill flash in sunlight. Sunlight is very bright!
Originally by user81735. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user81735
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On the Canon IXUS 430, use the Flash On setting in Manual mode to force the built-in flash to fire on every shot. According to the manual, the flash options include Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction, Flash On, Flash Off, and Slow Synchro.
A couple of expectations to keep in mind:
- On this camera, “Manual mode” is closer to a program/auto mode than full manual exposure control.
- The built-in flash on a small compact camera is weak, so in a room already flooded with sunlight it may only provide a little fill light rather than dramatically changing exposure or freezing motion.
- Using a low ISO such as ISO 50 or 100 is generally a good choice when using flash in bright conditions.
So the answer is: yes, set the camera to Flash On, but don’t expect the small internal flash to overpower strong daylight.
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