My camera stopped taking pics. It's a year old. Lens opens when turned on, have not changed any settings. It's set to Auto. But when I try and take a pic, the lightning/flash blinks on the display - but nothing happens. Any ideas? Thank you!
Dear gundy57,
Unfortunately you haven't provided enough information in your problem description to make a definitive diagnosis. When you say your camera has stopped taking pictures do you mean that you cannot take shots under any condition, or that you cannot take flash shots while the blinking lights display?
On the A540 you will typically experience a blinking orange indicator light related to the flash during the periods in which the flash is cycling. Picture taking will not be possible during this period (if using flash photography or in Auto mode where the cameara has determined that flash is necessary). In fact the camera's LCD screen will usually go black during this period and will only turn back on when the flash has fully recharged ( and the orange indicator light next to your viewfinder subsequently turns a solid orange).
Normal flash recycling time for the A540 is listed at "less than 10 seconds" and your flash's range is listed as 11 feet maximum. Also a set of rechargeable AA batteries will give you an average of 360 shots, assuming a 25% flash use rate. So as you take more and more shots your flash cycle time will approach the ten second mark, during which your camera will be unable to take additional pictures. The farther you are from your subject, the longer the recycle time will be also. This MAY be what you are experiencing.
To maximize flash recycle times shoot as closely to your subject as you can and keep a spare set of fully charged batteries available for when you notice recycling times starting to get long. Also try shooting with your LCD screen off (press the Disp button until it turns off). You will still be able to shoot using your viewfinder and the camera's batteries will last over twice as long, giving you faster average recycle times in the bargain.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
HeavyDLB
The camera may be trying to tell you that your flash is turned off in Auto mode, but to get a proper exposure you will need the flash turned on. Try turning the flash on and see if that works.
Hope this helps!
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Yeah it seems I have a similar problem to yours. My camerera is usually always on P (Program) or on the Video mode. If you didn't know program mode is auto but in program you can adjust exposure, iso, white balance, flash output power, and metering modes if you would like to. If I put my PS A540 in auto it will only take a picture when the flash is off and the same in program too.
I have a one year old Canon PowerShot 750 and it will not take photos on automatic flash mode or flash on mode. When I try to take photos with the automatic flash or flash on mode my camera will not focus and take the picture only the red spot light will shine. But when I put my camera on no flash mode it takes pictures with no problems. Is there something wrong with my flash or focus? Is there anyways to fix this?
Thanks
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