BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Flash mystery

Now, I see the flash works as usual, but when I get the pictures developed they come out as if there was no flash. I am sure the camera shutter is out-of-sync when the flash flashes. But I am not sure which one of this needs to be fixed --camera or the flash-- and where I get the service. Is there some thing I can do with out taking it to the service center? The camera is not under warranty!

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November 21, 2002

Before you send it in to have it repaired though, double check all your camera and flash settings thorougly, very thorougly. You'd be surprised at how many problems are some obscure switch or setting is in the wrong mode or position. Then try to borrow a flash and see if it works properly with a different one.

Regarding repairing it yourself:
I don't recommend this at all. Not unless you're an experienced watch repairer, have additional experience with highly miniaturized and electro-static sensitive electronics, and have the miniature jewelry and watch tools too (along with bench mounted magnifiers to see what you're doing). Seriously! Camera bodies are highly miniaturized precision devices. Their mechanical parts rival those found in very small mechanical clocks. The electronics just as miniaturized, and everything is jam packed inside the camera body without an ounce of wasted space. Most shops will absolutely refuse to work on a camera sent to them in pieces in baggies packed in a shoebox because the owner first attempted a repair (seriously).

-- John

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November 25, 2002