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Question

pointing a camera to a Tv

Dec 23, 2011 6:39PM PST

if i point a canon a1200 to a tv, i focus when i shoot there is no flash,i only see the tv and room dark.However if if i zoom the flasher works. But if i focus away from the tv hold the release and point to the tv the flasher works.
if i point a fuji av 230, in the same position at the same tv,focus, and the flasher works.
I must chose one, but don't know which one is wright ? thanks

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
It depends upon what you are trying to accomplish
Dec 23, 2011 11:06PM PST

Is this a flatscreen TV?
Is the TV turned-on and showing a picture?
Are you trying to take a picture of the TV itself or trying to take a picture of what is on the the TV screen?

If you want a picture of what is on the TV screen and it is a flatscreen TV, you do not want the flash to fire.
So you should set the camera to "no-flash".

Place the camera about 2 to 3 feet from the TV screen.
The camera should autofocus on the screen.
You should get a relatively good shot of the contents of the TV screen.
It will probably not be as good as you expected because,
It will likely show some degree of a moire pattern.

What is a moire pattern?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern

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Answer
Neither
Dec 24, 2011 12:18AM PST

Instead, get a Slingbox that allows you to watch TV on the computer, and you can grab screenshots from that.

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Answer
Depends on what you want to capture.
Dec 24, 2011 1:40AM PST

If I want a snap of what's on the TV, I rarely use the flash. In fact, never.

If I want a snap of the room and other contents I usually dim the TV.

If I want a balanced picture of the TV and what's on the screen then I have to adjust lighting of the room and the brightness of the TV and take a few shots. FOR EXAMPLE. If I want to create some picture of folk watching a debate I place a static picture of the debate on the TV. Now the actors take their places and we adjust the light in the room, the brightness of the TV and try a few shots. Usually we can get it in about a dozen takes.
Bob

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pointing a camera to tv
Dec 25, 2011 7:50AM PST

thanks tor the replies. This was an example to find the best camera. Why one would fire the flash and the other would not!? Even in the same place , same tv,and the same position. Which one is wright? The flash should fire or not ? I notice in a dark room, if i point to the window (day time} one would fire the flash end the other not. thanks

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Sorry.
Dec 25, 2011 8:04AM PST

My reply was applicable to almost any camera. Maybe we need to discuss that the camera does not make the shot. We do that with working on the setup.

If you are wanting to guess why a flash would fire or not, that's guessing about how a camera works. We know that POINT AND SHOOT try to guess if the flash is needed. Your better photographers take a little control over this or try it with and without.
Bob

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Best Camera
Dec 25, 2011 12:09PM PST

Your test does nothing to prove if one camera is better than another. There are too many variables with the automatic settings that the cameras use. One might fire the flash and have a good exposure, and the other might not fire the flash and have a good exposure, because each camera may be selecting different shutter speeds, aperture, or ISO.

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no need for a flash aiming at a brightly lit tv
Dec 26, 2011 10:04AM PST

the camera did what it was supposed to do -- turn off the flash since none was needed. aside from that, bob's advice is spot on!