Are you using Alkalines? I have found this same sympton on an old flash of mine as rechargables operate at 1.2 volts the batteries were not pushing enough power to charge the flash. Alkalines at 1.5 volts solved this problem.

You can use tissue paper and a elastic band to make a difuser for the pop up flash. I would suggest you try it and see the difference and also get an idea of how much it effects the flash power output - you might need to add some flash compensation.

I have a 50mm f1.4 and I take it with me as the focus confirmation will light up in the viewfinder, I use this rather than judging by eye. Try a couple of test shots and see if focus in sharp using this approach. Also remember, using this lens stopped down to F2.8 will give fantastic results and add a little focus error leaway. If this is an M- series lens, then I would suggest leaving it behind unless you are comfortable with stop down meatering.

Also, if lighting is consistent in the church, try shooting on manual to keep things consistent.

Another tric I also use on my K10D when shooting like this is to use the custom white balance setting before startign the shoot (either use a grey card to set, take a shot and go into WB setting and see which setting gives the closest colour to the scene you have in front of you).

Get to the venu early so that you can set these things up before things kick off. Also, as Godfather, you should be in the shots too! And you will be playing a role too. You may want to think about an assistent for these times - you set the camera up, they compose and shoot. Else you wont be in any of the pictures

I would also add:

Don't worry about eye contact too much. Get the mother/father to stand behind you with one of their toys/something to attract their attention.

Keep to short bursts as I found that babies can be quite sensative to the flash.

I also, even though they are only 6 months, like to show them the picture on the camera, can get them more interested in the camera itself.

Don't forget to consider including parent/parents. This might be a good way to start.

Just some thoughs based on taking pictures of my two when they were that age.

I was going to point this out too! I had asumed that the SR system took into account the focal length and the currently selected shutter speed. This is why using SR on a tripod with low shutter speed causes problems.

I have two That would be expensive!!

My 58 was second hand and I am sure it was thourghly worked out.

My 48 Was new from SRS, so not so conscerned. Is used quite often as the built in flash in not too good with the 16-50.

I will keep an ear on them.

This is not beyond the realms of possibility, as I remember, this has been done before with certain pentax models. I suspect, it was more to do with the current situation that Jessops was in that prompted Pentax to go for a wider distribution of the model then limiting it to a store chain on the down.

Sun Shine Time




Taken two days appart.

Though you can't see the sun, it does play a large part of this image

What about a photograph of a photograph, would that count?

This could be a big one too! You seem to be inviting anything made by man or animal! Lets hope you don't get 20 pictures of birds' nests

Thanks John!