Help with my Canon Powershot A300

[sleepingbeautymama]

I've had this digital camera for a while but it's been nothing but trouble for me and I'm actually worried about taking it on this trip. It's probably user error so I'm hoping someone can help me.
The problem I have is every time I try and take an indoor picture of a person(s), it won't snap the picture. It will take several tries for it to snap the picture and sometimes I give up. I think it might have something to do with red eye or the flash. I've tried turning off red eye and still I have problems. I just can't figure it out. I have no trouble outside. I've also thought maybe the lighting inside, but I've been in bright areas that it should snap. I just don't want to have this problem when trying to take pictures of the characters with my dd. I've never had this problem with any other camera. I'd buy a new camera but I've already spent enough money for the trip. Any ideas? Thank You

 

[manning]

Sounds more like you are not getting a focus lock. When you get a lock there should be a beep and a green dot lights up.

With my camera if it doesn't focus it will not take a picture. Because there isn't enough light the focusing sensor can't find enough contrast to focus.

Check your manual to see if there is anything mentioned about focusing.

 

[dcg0317]

I just checked out your camera at Steve's Digicams.com, he gave it a good review when it first came out. It also stated that the effective flash range is good at 0.67 - 6.7 ft. When sensitivity is set to auto. So maybe you are trying to foucs beyound this range. It also says it has a focus assist illuminator that shines an orange colored beam in low-light conditions. Do you see this beam, if not maybe something is wrong. If I were you I would test it again inside and try getting closer to your subject and see if this works, also if your batteries are low they may not have enough juice to fire your flash.
Link to site.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/a300.html