question about cameras (on topic)

[satman next generation]

My daughter is on the high school marching band, so being the proud "band dad" that I am I go to as many of the games that I can. At the very least, all of the home games and I videotape every performance. We just bought a new digital camcorder with a built in still camera with a basic flash, and I am able to take very excellent pictures. My question...at our game yesterday, the other team had 4 people walking the field on their side photographing the game, they weren't professionals, just volunteers with some really nice cameras. The problem, all 4 were using strobe flashes and all 4 were taking about 5 to 10 pictures a minute according to my wife. I am photosensitive, but if I am very careful, I am usually o.k. to an extent. That was too much. I very politely approached these individuals and explained my situation and asked if they could at least slow down on the number of pictures. 3 ignored me and one said, nothing they can do they have to take these pictures for their school. Needless to say, I had to sit out the game. Fortunately they were just for the game, so I got the chance to videotape the halftime show with my simple digital camcorder that worked perfectly with the field lights, that I could zoom in like I was next to them without any extravagant light. After halftime I left. I have seen this a couple of other times, but for just a few pictures, certainly not to this extent. Is this something new that I might start to see more and more of as digital cameras advance or is this just one of those rare things that was an overkill. I will not be able to handle strobe flashes.
God Bless....In HIS Service....Dan

[LIZARD]

((((((((((((Dan))))))))))))))). :(

I'm so sorry you had to endure this. I don't really have an answer for you, but it might be a good idea to have a "plan B" in case it does become a frequent occurrence. Maybe talk to those in charge of the functions and see what can be done.


Good luck...

LIZARD :)

[annie]

most people don't know how to use a camera without using the flash.

i was at an epilepsy conference once where they were taking endless flash pictures. someone in the audience pointed out that this would be a problem for anyone with photosensitivity, and the doctors lecturing said that there was no such thing as photosensitivity. of course i didnt notice much because i went into status absence for about 20 minutes and missed the whole thing. the people i was sitting with noticed and kept me in my chair, so nothing happened. i suppose if you are going to have SUDEP from flashes the best place to do it is in a room full of eplepsy specialists.

i don't know of any solution to this, but i certainly wish i did.

[satman next generation]

my concern isn't so much the flash as it is the "STROBE" flash, why a flash with a strobe? MY simple 7.0 megapixel camera works super with just a simple flash, what more is a "strobe" flash providing and is this going to be replacing a single flash?

[David Hosobuchi]

my concern isn't so much the flash as it is the "STROBE" flash, why a flash with a strobe? MY simple 7.0 megapixel camera works super with just a simple flash, what more is a "strobe" flash providing and is this going to be replacing a single flash?
I think what you're talking about, is the "Anti-Redeye" flash. The strobe flashes a few times before the picture is taken to cause the pupil to react & shrink. Then it flashes again when the picture is taken. This way you don't get a red reflection off the eyes from all the blood in the retina. You may cause seizures, but you won't get any pics with redeye...lol

[satman next generation]

Thank you David for your responce, that makes sense, but why at a football game when all of their subjects have helmets and they are so far away. These strobes were extremely bright.
Lol, you're right, I won't have red eye, maybe black and blue....
God Bless....In HIS Service....Dan