LED "capacitance" won't get lower

[skimask]

I have not yet dealed with this kind of touch sensors but have an idea for flotulopex: Use all 7 segments, or at least some of them, to measure the ambient light instead of the dot only. I think you will get more reliable data.
When I have the time I'd love to experiment on this.
Ioannis

There ya go...you could use some of the lit segments along with the dot. At least you'd get a better average. And some of the light from other lit segment bouncing off your finger might help the other 'sensing segments' give you better numbers.