Paulq
newbie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 2
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I am a complete novice in terms of photography and some months ago bought, on the advice of a shop, a Sony Cybershot DSC-W80 Compact for basic family snaps etc.
Trouble is that EVERY shot I take indoors with flash results in really bad red eye on the images. I have tried using the red eye reduction in the 'on' position and also the 'auto' position with no joy.
What can I do to alleviate this and are Sony cameras particularly prone to this problem? Are there any makes which are not?
Cheers
Paul
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Roger_Provins
Made-it Man
Reged: 22/10/2005
Posts: 2803
Loc: Gloucester, UK
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I'm afraid this happens with small cameras where the flash is so close to the lens. See here for a full explanation. Many photo manipulation programs have a fast and easy way to remove it.
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Rog
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9296
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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Quote:
What can I do to alleviate this and are Sony cameras particularly prone to this problem?
To the best of my knowledge Sony are not renowned as being more prone to the problem. The problem itself is so common, and I suspect the red-eye reduction routines on most camera so ineffective, that most if no all common photo-editing programmes carry some form or red-eye correction routine - in some cases these are so highly automated and effective you need do little other than identify the guilty pictures and let the software do the rest.
Quote:
Are there any makes which are not?
Not that I know of. Best option is to look for models where the flash is as far from the lens as possible to minimise the effect. Even my digital SLRs will produce red eye and the pop up flash on those is further away from the lens axis than any compact.
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Nigel
Completely BSRIPN 
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is better than one in the cupboard........
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Paulq
newbie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 2
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Thanks for your replies so far guys - much appreciated and I have learned something.
On doing some research on the camera I have (why didn't I do this earlier?) it appears that the critics do have a view that Sony cameras perform less well than others in terms of red eye. Read here:
Sony W80 Review
It really is beginning to annoy me as it's excessive. I have a copy of Corel Paint Shop Pro so can do the adjustments with that but would really like not having to.
Someone recommended Canon/Panasonic compacts as being less prone to this but wonder if anyone else has a view or particular experience?
Cheers
Paul
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9296
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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I have a Panasonic FX30. I've only had limited experience indoors with the flash but it still produced a considerable degree of red eye. Some of the Canons, especially the Powershot A series, may produce less as they tend to be somewhat larger than many makes which moves the flash a bit further from the lens.
There's no really effective alternative to increasing the distance between the flash and lens as much as is practicable. Even a standard flashgun on a hot shoe can still produce red-eye if the circumstances are right. It used to be quite common to see pro photographers with their flashes mounted on a bracket sticking out sideways from the camera to increase separation even more...
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Nigel
Completely BSRIPN
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is better than one in the cupboard........
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