Canon PowerShot A40 PowerShot A40/A30 Camera User Guide - Page 58

¡The flash may take approximately 10 seconds to charge. Recharging time may vary with the state of the battery charge. ¡In mode, the flash fires at full intensity (b ut less than full intensity when in macro mode). The flash intensity is automatically adjusted except in mode. ¡The flash fires twice. A preparatory pre-flash is followed by the main flash. The exposure readings obtained from the subject with the pre-flash are used to set the optimal flash intensity for the main flash, which is used to shoot the image. Red-Eye Reduction ¡Light reflecting back from eyes can make them appear red when the flash is used in dar k areas. Under these conditions, use the red-eye reduction mode*. For this mode to be effective, the subject must be looking right at the red-eye reduction lamp. Try asking them to look directly at the lamp. Even better results can be obtained by shooting with the lens set to the wide-angle position, increasing the lighting in indoor settings or approaching closer to the subject. * The shutter will not activate for approximately 1 second after the red-eye reduction lamp fires in order to improve the effect. If you wish a more immediate shutter response, set the flash setting to any setting other than the red-eye reduction auto setting. 54