If you don't see the flash compensation feature by pressing the +/- exp. comp. button 2 or three times in PSA or M modes then you may need to get the newest firmware version (version2.1) as I have done that and I have the flash exp. comp. feature. Updating is not too hard and this one includes other cool new features that you should like. You can get it here http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index2.html
I don't know your particular mode, but what I do with digital cameras is I use them in the program mode. I then can set the iris priority to under expose by the number of required stops. On some of the regular cameras, and most high end cameras they have an EV (exposure value) setting. This gives very good control for overall exposer compensation. If your camera cannot be exposure compensated, you can try putting gel type neutral density filters in front of the flash unit. These come in what looks like a mylar type sheet. They come in different values for density. Normally you would buy a range of values so you can adjust them. I used to buy these from a photo equipment supplier in sheets. I still use these with my digital camera equipment. You may want to have some in ND-1, ND-2-, ND-3, and ND-4. Then you can use the right combination to find the correct flash exposure you want to use. You can stick the filter in front of the flash unit and hold it in place with some masking tape. When using filters in front of the flash, you may have to use the camera in manual mode. This will prevent the automatic mode from over compensating for the change of light from the flash. With this you will have to do exposure tests to find the correct setup. In the film days, I used to use a flash meter (I still use a flash meter), and calculate the distances and theoretical exposure. Then I would do the tests in a series that I logged on a work chart. After processing, I would see which frame came out properly, and then use the settings as my reference for that photo job.
Answers & Comments
If you don't see the flash compensation feature by pressing the +/- exp. comp. button 2 or three times in PSA or M modes then you may need to get the newest firmware version (version2.1) as I have done that and I have the flash exp. comp. feature. Updating is not too hard and this one includes other cool new features that you should like. You can get it here http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index2.html
I don't know your particular mode, but what I do with digital cameras is I use them in the program mode. I then can set the iris priority to under expose by the number of required stops.
On some of the regular cameras, and most high end cameras they have an EV (exposure value) setting. This gives very good control for overall exposer compensation.
If your camera cannot be exposure compensated, you can try putting gel type neutral density filters in front of the flash unit. These come in what looks like a mylar type sheet. They come in different values for density. Normally you would buy a range of values so you can adjust them. I used to buy these from a photo equipment supplier in sheets. I still use these with my digital camera equipment.
You may want to have some in ND-1, ND-2-, ND-3, and ND-4. Then you can use the right combination to find the correct flash exposure you want to use.
You can stick the filter in front of the flash unit and hold it in place with some masking tape.
When using filters in front of the flash, you may have to use the camera in manual mode. This will prevent the automatic mode from over compensating for the change of light from the flash. With this you will have to do exposure tests to find the correct setup.
In the film days, I used to use a flash meter (I still use a flash meter), and calculate the distances and theoretical exposure. Then I would do the tests in a series that I logged on a work chart. After processing, I would see which frame came out properly, and then use the settings as my reference for that photo job.
Jerry G.