Why 'da Tamer™?

The flash on the Sony Digital Mavica® FD-7 is so overpowering that it has been referred to as a "nuclear flash".  Pictures taken at a range less than the recommended six feet often result in a total wash out of color.  The problem is most extreme on the Mavica FD-7 because it has no control over flash settings.  The predominant solution used by most Mavicans (those of us that own a Sony Digital Mavica®) is to use layers of tape to tone down or "tame" the flash. While the tape solution is more or less functional, it's appearance on the front the camera is less than desirable.

Enter 'da Tamer™ flash tamers...  Both styles (20% Smoke and Opaque White) will effectively tone down the flash on your Mavica FD-7 with the appearance of an accessory that belongs on the front of your camera. Made of static cling film, 'da Tamer™ flash tamers adhere readily to the smooth surface found on the Mavica FD-7's flash unit and they can be removed and re-applied countless times without leaving an adhesive residue.

A template is provided with each 'da Tamer kit.  The flash unit on the FD-7 adjoins the lens housing and cutting out the correct curvature to match the lens housing can be a small challenge. Simply follow the kit's instructions to cut out your 'da Tamer™ from the static cling material that is supplied and apply it to your camera.

Note:  Mavica models that have since replaced the FD-7 have improved flash units with multiple settings.  These models do not need 'da Tamer™. 

Other 'da Tamer™ FAQ's...

'da Tamer™ flash tamers help solve the "nuclear flash" problem on the Sony Digital Mavica FD-7.  They help reduce the flash intensity for close up shots (i.e. less than the recommended 6 feet).  Before 'da Tamer™ these shots usually resulted in a total wash out from the FD7's overpowering flash.  'da Tamer™ flash tamers will NOT solve all of your Mavica flash problems.  What they will do is provide a way for you to "tame" the flash so that you can take flash pictures at distances less than the recommended 6 feet.

Here's some of my observations from using the 'da Tamer™.   Your observations, tips, cheers or jeers are welcome...

Range
Both the 20% Smoke and Opaque White 'da Tamer™'s work best in the 2 feet to 6 feet range.  The farther you get from your subject, the more available light you need and visa versa.

At more than 6 feet you may want to remove your 'da Tamer™ especially if the room is dimly lit.  This is because 'da Tamer™ reduces the flash brilliance and does not illuminate shadows at distances greater than 6 feet.

At less than 2 feet, I'm finding that the "nuclear flash" is still a problem.  I've tried putting on 2 and 3 'da Tamer™'s, but I'm still not completely pleased with the results.  With two 'da Tamer™'s the flash is still overpowering because of how close you are to the subject.  With three 'da Tamer™'s the picture is too dark.

Try using 'da Tamer™ with a slave flash.  It tones down the frontal flash so you can get in close, provides a slight fill, and is still bright enough to trigger the slave flash.  I'm finding a lot of possibilities for 'da Tamer™ using this technique of fill flash combined with a slave flash unit positioned for background lighting and shadow effects.

Subject Depth and Tinting
The 20% Smoke 'da Tamer™ seems to work best when the subject depth is fairly flat. Foreground whites tend to come out good and clean.  However, background whites often turn out a blueish gray especially if the range exceeds 6 feet in low light settings.   The sample images page demonstrate both extremes of subject depth.

The Opaque White 'da Tamer™ works better on subjects with some depth.  It allows for a whiter light and illuminates distant shadows better without the tinting effect.

Pro's
Flash can be used at shorter distances with out wash out effect. Very good with flat subject depth. Ideal for 3.5 feet "Zoomed Macro" shots illuminated with flash. Cooler flash, reduces red eye effects. Easy to apply and remove. Looks much better than tape and doesn't leave residues. The 20% Smoke 'da Tamer™ works well when the subject fills the viewfinder or when there is a minimal amount of background depth. The Opaque White 'da Tamer™ yields a white light that does not tint background shadows. The Opaque White 'da Tamer™ works well on wider angle shots with some background depth.

Con's
The 20% Smoke 'da Tamer™ doesn't perform well on subjects with depth. Reduced flash doesn't illuminate shadows beyond 6 feet and will produce a blueish gray tint on background whites. The Opaque White 'da Tamer™ doesn't "tame" the flash as well as the 20% Smoke version on close up subjects. Some thought required as to when to use and when not to use...