Tips for built-in flash

I've bought a new k100d, my first dslr, and having lots of fun with it and the kit lens, a Tamron 70-300, and a SMC A 50mm 1.7.

I have not had much luck avoiding harsh results with the in-built flash, but maybe I'm missing some tricks that can help things?

I bought the 50mm to avoid the need for flash, but I'm also having trouble manually focussing with the super shallow dof when wide open. Any tricks here welcome too!

You can go into the menu and reduce the flash intensity. Either that or stick som tissue paper or something similar over the flash and experiment. The main problem I've found with the built in flash is that it falls off quickly with distance so the problem you have is really only an issue with close shots.
Just worth experimenting really.

Donut

[quote="alba"]I've bought a new k100d, ..., a Tamron 70-300[quote]

By the way - how are you getting on with the Tamron - I'm hoping to pick up one in the next few days to replace an elderly Tokina 70-210 AF lens?

Donut

[quote="Donut"][quote="alba"]I've bought a new k100d, ..., a Tamron 70-300I love the Tamron. I've had some shots at 70mm that are incredibly sharp, and it seems OK at the long end too. One of my first shots had bad purple fringing, and I started worrying that I had made a bad purchase, but it's not ocurred again, so it must be a specific combination of subject/f stop/focal length.

Only niggle is that it doesn't do the Pentax quick-shift focus thing, and I find the focus selector switch a bit awkward on the K100d.

With regard to the built in flash you can make a diffusor for it from an old film canister if you have one. A white one of course. Cut a channel in the side of it just big enough to slide onto the flash and stick the lid back on. Hey presto free flash diffuser.

Edit: just did a quick search on line - you can see what I mean here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/natuurplaat/10362363/

And here are some more ideas:
http://mgreerphoto.blogspot.com/2007/03/diy-lighting-equipment_17.html