[lotech]

Hi there,

I got a strange problem with my K3. I will take some night street flash shots at the same location regularly, I use different ISO, AF and exposure modes during the shoot so far so good, but suddenly one night the onboard flash refused to fire. Whenever I put my eye near the viewfinder the flash will not fire, when I move away my head, or cover the viewfinder with my hand then the flash will fire, what changed was new street lights installed at the location, and I am wearing glasses, so it is possible the stray light from my glasses shined into the viewfinder, but I don't think this would disable the flash. I am sure the flash is fully charged before I take the shot, I see 100 on the shutter speed so it is flash sync ready, I couldn't reproduce this in my home with similar lighting condition, the flash always fire, it is like the camera has a proximity sensor but not always works, that's weird any idea ??

[UncleVanya]

What exposure mode are you using?

[mcgregni]

Were you wearing a cap or hat ? The peak on a cap can slightly press down on the flash without you realising it, just enough to switch it off (it thinks it has been pressed closed fully). Each time you pull away to check the camera it works again until you go back to the viewfinder and that hat presses it again ! (Yep, its happened to me )

[lotech]

I use P mode with aperture shift, yes I was wearing a cap ! that reminds me last time that happened I was also wearing the cap, so that means stray light did affect the flash !?

---------- Post added 04-24-16 at 07:40 AM ----------

Oops I didn't read carefully, yes the flash is pressed down and turned off

[stevebrot]

I use P mode with aperture shift, yes I was wearing a cap ! that reminds me last time that happened I was also wearing the cap, so that means stray light did affect the flash !?

Probably not. I just did a test with my K-3 in P mode and the flash discharged regardless of scene brightness or light entry via the viewfinder. With the exception of "green" mode, the flash on your K-3 should always discharge if the flash is popped up. In "green" mode stray light through the viewfinder is capable of fooling the flash into not discharging. Regardless of whether the flash is up, it is always a good idea to shield the viewfinder ocular when shooting with other than live view with your face away from the camera.


Steve

[mcgregni]

It only takes a small downwards press to stop the flash firing. When you're looking into the viewfinder it is easy to not notice that the hat or cap is touching the flash. Possibly less than half of the total movement to fully close the flash will have this effect. So, it's 'hats off' for built-in flash photography!