I DO need help understanding this flash!

[corrosca]

Reading one of the Olympus Evolt E-500 reviews I started thinking I am unnecessarily worried, but anyway, I hope someone can tell me why (the heck!) the built in flash the auto mode keeps doing pre-flashes, even when it is not in "red-eyes" mode. People photographed hate that.

Can anyone help me, PLEASE?

Thanks

[Greg McCary]

The Olympus uses the pre-flash to focus in low light situations. It shouldn't pre flash if there is enough light for the lens to focus. As far as I know there is no way to turn this feature off. I know it can be annoying to your subjects though. I just try and shoot at higher ISO's an avoid using the flash unless I have to. You can also set it for manual focus and it won't pre flash.
Greg

[RoniM]

On E-510 it is possible to turn it off.
Go to:
Menu > Setup1 > AF ILLUMINATION = turn it off

[Greg McCary]

Thanks for the info.
Greg