Disabling Flash on P&S Cameras

[tomorrowstars]

I'm looking for recommendations for cameras that will remember a FLASH OFF setting after being turned off, ones that don't default to automatic flash when starting up. Bonus if it has a fast lens 35mm or wider.

Currently my best compromise is the Konica Lexio 70, which defaults to auto flash, but remembers your previous custom function and one button press brings you back to it. Problem is I want to shoot with 800 or higher film and not have to worry about the flash firing ever.

I have an Olympus XA and it's definitely useful in these situations, but I'm looking for something with auto-focus.

 

[NeeZee]

if you never use flash at all you could cut some cable or buy one on ebay with broken flash.
then there are the early (late 70s, early 80s) autofocus p&s which require manual flash activation. they are not as compact as the more recent ones though. The konica c35 AF series is one example iso only up to 400 though i think). If I remember correctly many cheaper models of the late 80s and early 90s still had manual flash activation

 

[tomorrowstars]

if you never use flash at all you could cut some cable or buy one on ebay with broken flash.

Issue with this is that they will meter for flash and underexpose.

Size isn't a major concern, but smaller is better.

 

[swoop]

I recently bought a refurb Nikon P7100 for $250. It has a flash that has to manually clicked out of the body. Something I was looking for since my old P&S is 7 years old and constantly turned the flash on when i thought it was off.

 

[NeeZee]

or the nikon l35af - has pop up flash which you just can tape so it won't fire and meter normally. the late versions go up to 1000 iso. great lens on that one!

 

[tomorrowstars]

Can anyone recommend something in the price/quality range of the Mju I or II that has a flash that can be switched so it's off even at a new startup?

 

[farlymac]

The Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 has a programmable control switch with a "Personal" setting, and you can select Flash-Off so that is how it will be when you turn the camera on. Other than that, most of the P&S cameras that do have a Flash-off setting (and there are quite a few), require you to select it after turning the camera on. On a few, it's only good for the shot you are taking at that moment, while on most of the others, it will stay that way until you shut the camera off, or change the setting. Of course, you can also look for one of the models that has a manual control for the flash. They are usually the less feature packed ones, most likely with a fixed focus 35mm lens.

PF

 

[btgc]

Big Mini's, models with 35mm lens (haven't had zoom models, maybe they too, allow to select FLASH OFF which will retain effect after camera turned on.

 

[John Bragg]

I also find this "feature" annoying. I guess the cameras were aimed at complete novices and it was thought better to never miss a shot through having the flash accidentally off. I use Olympus Mju-1 and Mju-11 cameras. It is a pain in the butt having to turn flash off but the lenses in these micro miracles make the effort rewarding. I think I would rather have a manual iso setting than a manual flash. Much more useful as I habitually downrate film and re-coding cassettes is a chore.

 

[jpskenn]

Minolta TC-1:
My side arm.
It keeps flash OFF. (In other words, not have auto-flash mode. Manually ON or Off.)
That's one of a reason I chose TC-1.
But the lens is a little bit slow for you.(28mm F3.5)

I heard Fuji KLASSE S/ KLASSE W can remember the setting until battery dies.
It has fast 38mm F2.8 or 28mm F2.8.

 

[tomorrowstars]

Big Mini's, models with 35mm lens (haven't had zoom models, maybe they too, allow to select FLASH OFF which will retain effect after camera turned on.

I had the Big Mini BM302 (fixed 35mm) and it didn't remember flash setting. Do you know which models have this feature?

I also find this "feature" annoying. I guess the cameras were aimed at complete novices and it was thought better to never miss a shot through having the flash accidentally off.

I think that's exactly it. I suspect the same is true of consumer level digital point and shoots not having a RAW feature. The average consumer would complain that he can't upload this file directly to Facebook.

Minolta TC-1...
Fuji KLASSE S/ KLASSE W

A slightly slower lens doesn't bother me, but these are in a different price bracket. Still, I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on one of these premium P&Ss just for this feature.

 

[valdas]

Minolta AF-C. You can take the flash off, like XA, but this one is AF and very sharp...

 

[btgc]

I had the Big Mini BM302 (fixed 35mm) and it didn't remember flash setting. Do you know which models have this feature?

I should be more clear - BM doesn't remember flash setting, but you can set flash while camera is switched off (NO FLASH symbol appears on LCD), and when you switch on camera, flash is disabled. Again, this isn't full remedy, but curiosity one can use for advantage.

 

[Greyscale]

Canon MC, Pentax PC35AF, with removable flash like the Minolta AFC. First generation Konica C35AF and C35AF2 had flash that was not removable but used separate batteries for flash (I think) and had manual flash activation.

 

[28mm]

Won't help with the battery drain, but this should do the trick:

 

[tomorrowstars]

As I think was stated before, tape won't work because the camera will meter for a flashed scene.

Minolta AF-C.

I'd forgotten about that one. I actually have two but both are broken. One of them is only broken insofar as the door doesn't work. I guess I'll open it up and try to fix it.

 

[BlackXList]

Canon MC, Pentax PC35AF, with removable flash like the Minolta AFC. First generation Konica C35AF and C35AF2 had flash that was not removable but used separate batteries for flash (I think) and had manual flash activation.

Pentax PC35AF is a wonderful camera, BUT it only goes up to 400iso, so that might rule it out

 

[valdas]

The Contax TVS (and I would assume the T2/T3) remembers your flash setting and has a 28-56 zoom. It can be had for around $100 if you are patient. Great camera.

The Ricoh GR1 has a flash switch which can of course be left off. The GR1 is the best laid out/though out small camera. Too bad they are not very reliable anymore. Can't be had cheap though.

I always wanted to get a Minilux because the lens is so nice but the flash resetting ruins the camera for me. That one feature is the first thing I check on point and shoots.

Actually T2 has separate "flash" mode on lens aperture selection ring. Flash won't fire unless set on flash mode. But T2 is in different price range.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Any of the Olympus XA series and leave the flash at home or don't buy one in the first place...

Regards, David

 

[tomorrowstars]

I picked up a Pentax PC35AF-M at Value Village. It's considerably uglier than the original but it goes up to ISO1000.