Digital Camera Slave Flash
 

The current thread re focussing has triggered a tip which may interest anyone wishing to use an off camera flash on a pocket digital camera - e.g. to avoid redeye - and not wishing to buy an expensive digital flashgun.
Most digital cameras, when operating in auto modes, fire one or more pre-flashes in order to gather exposure data. These flashes come after the redeye reduction flash.
A standard slave unit fires on the first flash and would therefore be too early for the main exposure flash so a digital camera capable slave unit or integrated slave flash must be used - or must it?
WHICH brings me to the point of the post - Some digital cameras, when set to manual, do NOT fire a preflash SO you could use an ordinary little slave unit with your old flashgun. Could be worth checking your camera manual - I did - too late :(

Redeye reduction OFF/camera set to, e.g. ASA100 1/60th f8/ordinary slave/external flash set to f8/camera flash set to MIN & covered with bit of fogged colour film(passes IR) = no more redeye at parties.

In the absence of that kit, a single layer of white handkerchief over the flash helps considerably.