What I'm sure is a simple beginner question RE: Olympus E510

[Big Rob]

When using the flash, before taking the picture the flash flickers for several seconds, and ends up taking an undesired shot (well, most of the time!). The only mode that this doesn't tend to occur in is sports mode that you pick from the menu (as opposed to the one on the wheel), and it does this in low light settings. I'm just using the basic package, internal flash and 14-42mm lens.

Any help would be much appreciated, ta.

[Greg McCary]

This is a pre-flash. The camera has to have some light in order to focus. It uses the pre-flash for this in low light. I know it is irratating at times. I have had many complaints from subjects.LOL It will not do it if the camera has enough avaliable light to focus. You can also shoot in manual, manual focus as well and the pre-flash will not fire. I think the pre-flash also reduces red-eye as well. I am not sure of any way to just turn this off.

[xwingkiller]

you've probably used a camera before that shoots out a red beam when you start to press the shutter button down. this camera doesnt have that red beam for autofocus assist, it uses the flash to light the area so that the camera can focus instead.
you can turn off AF assist in one of the menu's. i used to have it on, but it's just so annoying that i turned it off and i will only use it if there's no light at all.

[Big Rob]

Yeah, I used to have a green light on my old Fuji, I thought the two might be performing the same function. I've poured over the menu but can't seem to find a function to turn it off on the Olympus.

[xwingkiller]

if you go into the wrench1 menu it's almost to the end,,,AF illumination on/off.

[dumpy]

The Fl-36 flash (pretty sure the FL-50 as well) has a red AF assist lamp, so if you need AF assist and don't want the pre-flash, this is a good way to go. It is a much better flash than the on camera one as well.

[Big Rob]

if you go into the wrench1 menu it's almost to the end,,,AF illumination on/off.

Cheers mate, you're a godsend, will try it out when I'm at a wrestling show tomorrow. And cheers Dumpy for the flashgun recommendations, one of those will definitely be on my "to by" list soon.

[Atomic2]

Cheers mate, you're a godsend, will try it out when I'm at a wrestling show tomorrow. And cheers Dumpy for the flashgun recommendations, one of those will definitely be on my "to by" list soon.

see my thread about the fl-36 vs Metz 48

[VJIM]

Big Rob,
Read everything on this site, http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/e510-sett.html, "How to customize your Olympus 501" amazing INFO.

Love Vjim

[Don Kondra]

Olympus 501, eh? :nono:

Kinda sideways from the flash question but...

Shoot raw at first, you have the whole unaltered file to play with, ie. ability to change the exposure, etc.

Once you find there is a pattern to your adjustments in Master, etc. you could set the camera for that.

Or the Middle ground, shoot raw & jpeg. Jpeg doesn't work out so good you still have the raw file :aureola:

Meanwhile you can experiment with off camera flash and hopefully have a higher keeper rate...

Cheers, Don