Many compact cameras have a built –in automatic electronic flash

There are times when the available light is not enough to allow you take picture indoors, and so the modern, small electronic flash unit is a very useful additional light source.

Many compact cameras have a built –in automatic electronic flash, useful up to a distance of 4 meters (13 feet) from camera to subject. 

It is sensible to start with a small, fixed head unit, getting to know what it will do for you and how it operates, before moving on to the rotating head units.

All flash units are capable of producing excellent results provide you understand that, unlike daylight photography, the light from the flash will only illuminate a certain area, usually about 4 meters (13 feet), before the light levels falls rapidly.

Manual flash unit

Small, compact and usually with two batteries on the back of the unit shows which aperture to use, depending on the distance from the subject and he film speed.    

*One set of batteries should give about 200 flashes. Here’s how to use it:

*Attach flash to camera

*Plug cord into the camera socket marked `X’.

*Set the ISO speed of your film on your camera and on the flash unit.

*Set the shutter speed on your camera at the recommended speed for flash photography (usually 1/ 60th second), marked in red on the shutter speed dial. This is MUST.

*Focus the camera, checking your distance from the subject. Check what aperture you should use from the flash calculator.

*Set the aperture on the camera.

*Turn on the flash. Wait until the small orange or red `ready’ light appears.

*Take you picture.               

In clod weather film becomes brittle and may tear. Advance film by moving the advance lever slowly. Forcing the wind-on lever at end of film can also tear your film. If film is torn, or is jammed for any reason, open camera in complete darkness (or take to nearest camera dealer). Re-wind the film manually and place in light –tight container. Tell the film processors that are torn.