DSLR flash question

[Elleah]

Hey all. I'm new on the forums here though I have been following the blog for some time.

I just got a DSLR (Olympus e-510) for Valentines Day (because my husband rocks, obviously) and I'm really enjoying the learning process. Huge learning curve, of course, but it's fun.

My big problem that I can't find in manuals and such is this. I have the auto pop up turned off for the flash because most of the time on camera flashes just jack up the light quality. But I would like it if, when I pushed the little button telling it that I DO want the flash to go off, the flash would go off and allow me to take a picture like a point and shoot would. Basically I'm only using the on camera flash for pics I NEED to take in crappy light (so not the artsy stuff) and then for fill-in light on super sunny days.

Currently in low light, the flash just strobes a little, and I hold down the button and the camera keeps trying to do mysterious things that do not involve actually taking the picture.

My mom's Canon Rebel does the same thing, so I don't think it's just Olympus.

Any ideas? I was not even sure what to google or ask because I don't actually know what the thing I want it to do is really called..

Thanks!

[smc1377]

Your camera is "strobing" because there isn't enough light for the camera to properly focus. If it's too dark, it's strobing to light up the scene so that it can find something to focus on.

I know that for the Canons, if you have the camera in one of the PASM modes, the flash will not pop up unless you press the button like how you described. But if you're in auto mode, the flash will pop up when it feels it needs more light.

[Elleah]

That is pretty much what I thought, but it is good to have it confirmed. But the part that I can't figure out is why it would strobe like that even when I turn the flash on. Can it still not focus even when I am telling it to use the flash? And if not, is there a way for me to get around that?

[GEli]

That is pretty much what I thought, but it is good to have it confirmed. But the part that I can't figure out is why it would strobe like that even when I turn the flash on. Can it still not focus even when I am telling it to use the flash? And if not, is there a way for me to get around that?

Regardless of whether you've turned the flash on or off the AF sensor is still receiving the same amount of light. As there appears to be not enough light for AF to achieve focus, the camera strobes your flash to provide additional light. Once focus has been achieved, the camera will allow you to release the shutter and take the photo. There may be ways to manually override waiting for auto focus to finish focusing or to have your flash never strobe, but that'll be in your manual.

[Elleah]

Good to know. I will just wait longer next time and use my point and shoot when I know I'm going to be dealing with those indoor low light shots.

Thanks!

[smc1377]

Good to know. I will just wait longer next time and use my point and shoot when I know I'm going to be dealing with those indoor low light shots.

Thanks!

Or you could venture into the PASM modes. :D (provided that your camera works like Canons do where it won't strobe if you don't have the flash popped up)

You can do it! And we're all here to help you when you have questions.

[Major_Small]

If you want to use the flash, and don't want it to strobe and struggle to find focus, turn off the autofocus and manually focus. If you've got it set up right, the flash will still fire when you take the actual shot.

The downside to this method is that you have to manually focus in less light than the camera can focus in. I find it's near impossible to do this. you can try adding your own light somehow (I use a flashlight) to manually focus, but for most shots it's probably just better to let the camera strobe the flash, grab it's focus point, and then after that's done, you can depress the shutter button the rest of the way and it'll take the shot. (unless it couldn't establish focus).

This is all from use of Canon cameras, but if memory serves, that's a pretty standard deal.

Just a side note, as lots of people I've met miss this - with a DSLR (and most P&S cameras) there are two steps to taking a shot - holding the shutter button about halfway and waiting for the camera to focus and get exposure and all that fun stuff, then after that, pressing the button the rest of the way in to actually take the picture. Each camera has it's own way of telling you that it got the information it needed before you take the shot, but usually it's some kind of beep. Unless you get that confirmation, you should usually not take the shot.

[Elleah]

If you want to use the flash, and don't want it to strobe and struggle to find focus, turn off the autofocus and manually focus. If you've got it set up right, the flash will still fire when you take the actual shot.

The downside to this method is that you have to manually focus in less light than the camera can focus in. I find it's near impossible to do this. you can try adding your own light somehow (I use a flashlight) to manually focus, but for most shots it's probably just better to let the camera strobe the flash, grab it's focus point, and then after that's done, you can depress the shutter button the rest of the way and it'll take the shot. (unless it couldn't establish focus).

This is all from use of Canon cameras, but if memory serves, that's a pretty standard deal.

Just a side note, as lots of people I've met miss this - with a DSLR (and most P&S cameras) there are two steps to taking a shot - holding the shutter button about halfway and waiting for the camera to focus and get exposure and all that fun stuff, then after that, pressing the button the rest of the way in to actually take the picture. Each camera has it's own way of telling you that it got the information it needed before you take the shot, but usually it's some kind of beep. Unless you get that confirmation, you should usually not take the shot.

Yeah, I think the big thing is going to be having more patience. It's almost frustrating to have my "better" camera not able to do what my p&s can, you know? Obviously I know that's just limitations on my part mainly, but it's really like learning a whole new language. Sometimes I just want to speak English instead of figuring out the word in German! :)

[mattdm]

One great thing about Olympus is that they usually provide you with lots of options. If you look in the setup menu, you'll find an option called "AF ILLUMINAT." If you set this to off, the camera won't do the funky flash strobing thing for focus assist.

Alternately, if you use an Olympus shoe-mount flash, it will have an AF-assist lamp which is non-obtrusive red beam, which gives you the focus functionality without the annoying strobe.

I don't think the FL-20 has this, but you don't want that anyway. The FL-36 is a nice, compact flashgun for a relatively low price (around $180), and it has a tilt/swivel head — which makes it almost certainly one of the cheapest ways you can make a huge improvement in those indoor photographs. The focus light is a nice bonus.

[Major_Small]

Yeah, I think the big thing is going to be having more patience. It's almost frustrating to have my "better" camera not able to do what my p&s can, you know? Obviously I know that's just limitations on my part mainly, but it's really like learning a whole new language. Sometimes I just want to speak English instead of figuring out the word in German! :)
Have somebody who knows what it's doing show you how to take the shots in auto mode - it's probably a whole lot easier than you think - take it into any camera shop and they should be able to help you out. Then, just use that mode whenever you're taking shots. You'd be surprised at how much better your images can sometimes look in a DSLR's auto mode than they would from a P&S. Then you can start to slowly learn more about your DSLR, and eventually you may want to stop using auto mode. Perhaps you'll only get as far as Program mode, but you'll still love it :)

Either way, you'll realize it's not really like learning a new language to do the same thing. In auto mode, your DSLR is pretty much exactly like a P&S - same language coming to the same end. But when you do start learning that new language, you'll start to see how it really opens up your options.

[Nobie]

If you want to use the flash, and don't want it to strobe and struggle to find focus, turn off the autofocus and manually focus. If you've got it set up right, the flash will still fire when you take the actual shot.

Exactly what I was about to say. I had to do just this for these very reasons just last night.

[onesaint]

Doh! my apologies...

comment removed.

[glyphon]

she wasn't saying she couldn't find the manual. she couldn't find what she wanted in the manual :)

[Elleah]

Thanks for the interesting discussion, all. The AF Illuminat part of the menu did exactly what I wanted. And after a couple weeks of learning the camera, I'm already getting way more comfortable with it!