Inbuilt Flash Query with istD L2 dslr

I am a new comer to photography so I have little or no experience to call upon. When I use the internal flash say on the auto setting and I depress the button half way I get a series of very rapid pre flashes. These pre flases also make a sound I guess this is the rapid charge discharge of flash bulb. Now I know this is different to red eye reduction where you get 1 flash before the picture is taken. My question is, is this normal? Your answers would be greatly appreciated before I hastle jessops.

Thanks

The first time this happened on my *ist DL I almost passed out in shock, fearing several hundred pounds worth of technology had disintegrated in my hands.

Don't fear!

When shooting in low light conditions with the flash unit deployed, if the camera is struggling to focus it will fire off a rapid series of lower intensity flashes with the intention of giving the camera a chance to focus on something.

If however it does the same thing under 'better' lighting conditions then there may well be a problem.

Mark

Let me guess, the noise sounded a bit like something short circuiting, a cross between fizzing and buzzing?

Camsters answer seems spot on and its nothing to worry about.

If you do a lot of flash photography it may be worth investing in the AF360FGZ Pentax flashgun, alternatively if thats beyond your budget look for a "Pentax" dedicated gun from other manufacturers, just make sure its one that has an AF Spotbeam, this projects a red beam onto your subject so the camera can lock on easier in low light. My FGZ works perfectly even in pitch black, I also have a Pentax dedicated Sunpak flash that works equally as well but obviously not with all the functions of the FGZ

In the end I invested in the AF360FGZ myself. I'm guessing it's the same for the *ist DL2, but certainly for the DL you need a P-TTL enabled flash gun for any decent level of compatability. I tried a few Pentax dedicated guns beforehand that had TTL capabilities but had to work hard at adjusting exposure to get any kind of results, if even the two devices did communicate on any functional level. Attaching the AF360FGZ to the camera was like attaching some amazing quality enhancement module. It really does sculpt a subject out of a scene with light.

Just to add a little info:

The pop-up flash "fizzes" like that to provide an auto-focus assist - it's outputting bursts of light to enable the AF electronics to actually see what's going on. It's perfectly normal, if a little irritating

The AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ have a separate AF-assist lamp that shines a red-illuminated pattern onto the subject to assist focus. This is silent and much less intrusive!

And as has been said, the AF360/540 really are great pieces of kit, and the only real choice for the *ist-DL/DL2/K100D/K110D/K10D that lack TTL support (they only have P-TTL support).

Matt

Wow, thanks for the prompt reply, you all saved Mr Jessop from an ear bashing. In all seriosness thanks for the informative reply, you certainly put my mind at rest. As you said camsterfactor I feared for my camera!!!!

consider yourself lucky it only does it when the flash is deployed! My
MZ-7 would deploy the flash and have a go on its own unless you specifically told it not to.