Why is my Flash Sometimes Working?

[Brusimm]

So tonight I was getting my fam together for a shot in the front yard. Awww.
First few shots, the flash shot off just fine. Then it wasn't. Then it did. Grr.

Later that night at a party, same thing. I was in one spot and shot a father and his kids. First 6 shots were fine. Then, though no lighting changed or what not, I found myself taking live light images... no flash. Arrgghh.

I pulled the camera off of AUTO, or more to the point, changed ISO to 100, and set the flash to flash every time.

That worked a few times, but again, no flash after a while...

I'm starting to doubt my purchase of this beast! It's really hard adapting to this thing. What was a simple time exposure on my P-150 takes me 20 or 30 minutes to figure out. I cry out for help!

Camera: Olympus E520.
Stock flash.
Photographer: going crazy.

I'm not sure if it's me, the environment, or the camera.

I've been spoiled by a point and shoot over the last few years and went to this new DSLR a few weeks back. I know I should figure it out, but in my mind, how hard can it be to set up some things I consider simple?

Thoughts? Any input would be appreciated. -Bruce

[jiminyClickit]

Brusimm, Welcome

Tempted to ask, "Have you paid your light bill?" but I won't. My usual source did not find any flaws in the E520's flash, so it's possible there's a defect. I'd email Olympus.

There are time lags in even the best flash, so the next question is, are these shots really close together, or half a minute apart, or what?

If you can take several shots before the flash won't work, I'd wonder if you're allowing recharge time, or if there's an overheating situation (time lag increasing as heat of unit increases?). I'd ask Olympus, and experiment with times recorded.

[Brusimm]

jiminyClickit: That's what I'm starting to suspect. That I may not be letting the flash recharge long enough before taking the shots. If I "take" my time, I get a flash everytime... well, except for 2 shots this morning, in the time of fam!

Thanks for checking around jiminyClickit. I appreciate it. And now I get to peruse the forums and try not to get lost!

Happy holidays to everyone and their fams!

-Bruce

[jiminyClickit]

You're welcome.

Peruse away! If you need a guide along the way, at the bottom of the main page, "What's Going On" will show Mods in navy and dark red. Any one will be glad to answer questions, should you need anything.

[Brusimm]

Indeed. Thanks. I did not realize that buying a new camera would mean having to go back to college to figure it all out! (Yea, that's how long it's been since I slung an SLR)

[jiminyClickit]

You're in a big boat! It's the whole idea of the site, though, that we teach each other what we know, when we can. Photography is huge, so we try to section it into manageable bits, and you take in as much as you want, can, need to. No schedules, no tests, actually no homework beyond "Assignments," which are voluntary.

But no toga parties. Don't know why . . .

[Brusimm]

i think a digital (via web cam) toga party might not be the best idea... really. think about it. [[ shudder ]]

[Mr Guy]

You can very likely "help" this problem in the settings menu somewhere by setting it to prevent you from taking a picture if the flash isn't recycled. That could get very annoying though, so I'd train yourself to look for the flash indicator which should be somewhere in the display through the viewfinder. Also, if you know you'll want to be taking a lot of shots quickly, you can consider turning your flash to manual, and lower the power while opening your aperture and raising your ISO. That'll let you get by with less light from the flash and a lower powered flash will recycle faster.

[Brusimm]

A most notable and wonderful suggestion. Thanks Mr. Guy. This has opened up quite a few options.

I realize this is going to take a while to back into the groove of using all the features of a camera like this but zoinks... the curve has quite the right angle to it!

[JerBear]

You might consider a extra battery, should have one anyway, and when the flash acts up, try changing the battery to see if you solve this frustration. Using the flash will drain the power quicker and it will slow the recycle rate as well.

Note; you mentioned that there were a lot of features to the camera and that the learning curve was steep. IF you take the time to learn the camera inside and out and are comfortable with all of the controls, you will find yourself taking better photos than you thought you ever could. Play with it, enjoy it and it will provide you with some wonderful photos.

Just a thought

Good luck

JM