Flash problem

spyros

spyros

New member
Hello,
I have just bought the Nikon D3100 and I 've noticed that the built-in flash is extremely weak.
I have tried both manual and auto modes. When I try to shoot a dark theme, the flash pops up and functions properly, but it's power is very low. I can see that it works, only if I look at it. Of course, the photos I have taken are very dark.
Am I missing something, or I have to send it for service?
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum...It is possible to alter the strength of the flash on my D300, I assume you can do so on the D3100....It should be in your manual how it's done or do a camera default settings..
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
Do not look directly at your flash to see if it is working...I did this the other night and I saw blue blobs in my vision for a while...it was not pleasurable at all...LOL
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
It should be in your Custom Settings Menu.......section E........Flash settings. It might still be on 1/4 power. But yeah, it's all in your manual.
 
spyros

spyros

New member
Thanks for your replies!
I have already changed the flash setting to manual and its power to full with no result.
I's stiill extremely weak. I could say that it's power is more like a spark's when I look at it...
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
Built in camera flashes are notoriously weak anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it. That's why most people who need flash opt to buy an external flash, like the SB-700.

Try this: go into a completely dark room and try the flash. If it still seems really weak to you, I'd suggest you send it in to get fixed. It MAY be a bad flash tube in there. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.
 
spyros

spyros

New member
Here it is:
Code: 
                 Filename : DSC_0001.JPG
                JFIF_APP1 : Exif
Main Information
                     Make : NIKON CORPORATION
                    Model : NIKON D3100
              Orientation : left-hand side
              XResolution : 300/1
              YResolution : 300/1
           ResolutionUnit : Inch
                 Software : Ver.1.01
                 DateTime : 2012:09:15 17:34:28
         YCbCrPositioning : co-sited
           ExifInfoOffset : 228
            GPSInfoOffset : 28272
Sub Information
             ExposureTime : 1/60Sec
                  FNumber : F5,6
          ExposureProgram : Unknown (0)
          ISOSpeedRatings : 3200
              ExifVersion : 0221
         DateTimeOriginal : 2012:09:15 17:34:28
        DateTimeDigitized : 2012:09:15 17:34:28
   ComponentConfiguration : YCbCr
   CompressedBitsPerPixel : 4/1 (bit/pixel)
        ExposureBiasValue : EV0,0
         MaxApertureValue : F5,7
             MeteringMode : Division
              LightSource : Unidentified
                    Flash : Fired(Auto/return light detected)
              FocalLength : 55,00(mm)
                MakerNote : Nikon COOLPIX Format : 27378Bytes (Offset:872)
              UserComment :                                     
               SubSecTime : 60
       SubSecTimeOriginal : 60
      SubSecTimeDigitized : 60
          FlashPixVersion : 0100
               ColorSpace : sRGB
           ExifImageWidth : 4608
          ExifImageHeight : 3072
ExifInteroperabilityOffset : 28242
            SensingMethod : OneChipColorArea sensor
               FileSource : DSC
                SceneType : A directly photographed image
               CFAPattern : 8 Bytes
           CustomRendered : Normal process
             ExposureMode : Auto
             WhiteBalance : Auto
         DigitalZoomRatio : 1/1
        FocalLength(35mm) : 82(mm)
         SceneCaptureType : Standard
              GainControl : High gain up
                 Contrast : Normal
               Saturation : Normal
                Sharpness : Normal
     SubjectDistanceRange : Unknown
GPS Informtion
             GPSVersionID : 2,2,0,0
ExifR98
                    ExifR : R98
                  Version : 0100
Thumbnail Information
              Compression : OLDJPEG
              XResolution : 300/1
              YResolution : 300/1
           ResolutionUnit : Inch
    JPEGInterchangeFormat : 28400
JPEGInterchangeFormatLength : 6782
         YCbCrPositioning : co-sited
 
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