Fill Flash on a K20D

I have read the manual and yet to come up with the way to get my built in flash to go off when I want it to.
Example I was trying to shoot some people sitting by a window. The picture came out great if you want to just see the window. But I want the flash to go off to show the 2 people sitting at a table in front of the window.
All I got was dark images on 2 people. So my question is what do I need to set the K20D to to flash when I pop it up. What mode does the camera need to be in? Is there a way to set it that it will always flash when I pop the flash up and not when I tells me to user flash only?

PS still trying to learn about the K20D.........

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Rbubbly
K20D, *istDL, MZ5, MX and MV
Leuven Belgium

In everything but auto it will always flash when you have the flash up... it least I believe it does.
It might be that it flashed but that the flash power was too low.
On what mode did you ahve it set, the camera and the flash?

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Stefan


K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

Try setting the flash to trailing curtain sync and adjusting the output on the rear thumbwheel. That gives you -2 to +1 on my K10D. Try some shots and see what happens.
Should be the same or better on the K20D

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K10D + K20D + DA 18-55mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 170-500mm, DA50-135mm F2.8, 50mm F1.7

If i want forced fill in flash I just put up the flash and it works...on the k100D. I ususally shoot aperture priority or manual.
I think there is a csene setting also but I never bother with those.
Not knowing the K20 I don't know but try just putting the flash up and see if it goes off.

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Can you show (or email) a JPG of the image you are talking about?
The embedded EXIF information will tell me a lot about what you are doing (or not doing)

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

I will put a link in when I get home tonight. Then you can look at the EXIF info. I had the flash up the whole time. It only worked when I moved round and shot at a different angle.

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Rbubbly
K20D, *istDL, MZ5, MX and MV
Leuven Belgium

OK here is the link to the photo in question.

link

I re-sized it so I hope it kept the EXIF info

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Rbubbly
K20D, *istDL, MZ5, MX and MV
Leuven Belgium

Just had a look and the EXIF data says flash didn't fire on that shot.

Jason

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K30 & 18-55mm WR.

I think thats what hes trying to say, the flash did not fire even though it was up.

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. My Flickr

Thought I was stating the bleeding obvious after posting it. lol

Not sure what else you could get from the EXIF to tell why the flash didn't fire though.

Jason

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K30 & 18-55mm WR.

The problem is the green mode, the camera thinks it has enough light since the window looks great so didn't fire the flash. In any other mode it will fire the flash if you pop it up but you need to do more then use auto to get good results then.

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Stefan


K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

From the photo and EXIF I think the size of the window is throwing the reading off. if it triggers when you adjust position that may be the problem.
ISO at 200 is not what I'd be using. I try and always shoot at ISO 100.

Drop to ISO 100 and use manual mode. Take spot reading in program mode and note shutter speed and F number then switch to manual. dial in noted settings and add trailing curtain sync flash as my last post.

Have fun

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K10D + K20D + DA 18-55mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 170-500mm, DA50-135mm F2.8, 50mm F1.7

Yes spot meting is a good one and if you want to use an auto mode... P mode with the flash on trailing curtain might work since the camera keep on metering normally then when the flash is on trailing mode.

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Stefan


K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

Thanks for the help I will give it a try and see if I can get a better photo. From what I read Green mode is not the best to use in most shooting.
I will try to stay away from that mode.

thank again

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Rbubbly
K20D, *istDL, MZ5, MX and MV
Leuven Belgium

The problem is really simple: The flash is in Auto mode, and does not fire because there is light enough (according to the meter). Put the flash in Manual mode, and it will fire every time.

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Best regards
Terry

K20D, Optio I10, DA 18-55 1:3.5-5.6 AL II, A 1:1.7/50, D FA 1:2.8/100 Macro, Sigma 70-300 1:4-5.6 APO DG Macro, Pentax AF 360FGZ