Flashguns for autofocus assist

[redtwin]

Just wondering if fitting an external (clip on top, TTL?) flashgun would help the camera to autofocus or is that simply down to the lens/camera?.

Had an embarrassing moment recently when all the family were gathered for a photo, infants and children all smiling etc and my camera (Olympus E520) just wouldn't focus. Blinded everyone by constantly strobing the flash, but just wouldn't allow shutter release. Had to toss it aside and reach for my mobile which fired off a great shot, flash and all, with the first press.

If I can improve autofocus, what specifically do I need to look for in a flashgun that will do this?. I have been looking(Metz 36 AF-5 *looks* good for money, any others?) but not entirely sure what I should be looking for...or indeed if I should be looking at all if it won't do what I would like it to.

This may be a wash anyway as I doubt I will ever get asked to take another pic with my "fancy" camera.

[MysteryLemon]

I've never owned an E520 but did own both an E-500 and E-510, as well as an E-450. All of those used strobe flash as an AF assist. It's a st way to help a camera find focus and I avoid cameras that use it now.

With all of the above Olympus', I found the camera actually focused fine in low light with the assist turned off. Where it couldn't manage, it was quicker to switch to manual focus than hunt through menus to turn the assist back on and then blind my subjects.

I can't see how a flashgun would make any difference. May even find that you can't use a flashgun for assist anyway. I assume only the built in flash can do this for you.

My advice, turn assist off and learn to manual focus when the AF can't manage. That, or upgrade to a higher spec body, like the E30, that has a built in AF lamp.

[Simpo Two]

Nikon Speedlights - at least the larger ones - have an IR AF assist which projects a red 'barcode' across the subject which allows the camera to get AF lock even in darkness. So look for a chunk of red plastic on the front (and then make sure it's fully compatible with your camera)

The strobe you refer to is probably an anti-redeye setting rather than AF assist.

[MysteryLemon]

Simpo Two said:

The strobe you refer to is probably an anti-redeye setting rather than AF assist.

No, no, it's not. It's a horrible AF assist system Canon, Olympus and Pentax (if not others too) put on their entry level DSLRs to save money by not fitting a proper lamp.

It fires off strobing bursts of flash to light the scene whilst the lens hunts. Very off putting for any subject! If you've got anti-redeye enabled, you then get another burst when you actually press the shutter button

Like I say though, I always turned the strobe assist off on my Olympus DSLRs. The cameras rarely needed any assistance in focusing in low light. They took longer to find focus but always managed.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Friday 3rd January 12:04

[Phunk]

They help massively. Even when you don't require flash, you can turn the 'flash fire' option off but still use the AF assist.

[redtwin]

Thanks for the replies. I know the camera itself is lacking, but it was all I could budget for at the time. I was just wondering if spending a bit extra would improve a weakness.

Phunk said:

They help massively. Even when you don't require flash, you can turn the 'flash fire' option off but still use the AF assist.

This is promising. Do I need a specific feature or will any TTL/Hot Shoe designed for my camera work?. I just want to know what to look for. Once I know what I need I can then search for brands and models.

[Simpo Two]

I'd look for one that says it's compatible with an Olympus E520. That said I have no knowledge of Olympi but it would be a good start.

All hotshoes used to be the same but I know some makers use different ones in the hope you'll buy their own flashguns.

[redtwin]

Thanks, will just get one with the red plastic bit on the front.

[LongQ]

redtwin said:

Thanks, will just get one with the red plastic bit on the front.

In recent times Metz have produced units that are the same basic flash but with versions suited to and making use of each manufacturer's pet systems and foibles.

Prior to that they often produced secondary control units so the old style "Newsphotographer" units could be operated manually or via an interface unit that would attempt to emulate what the OEM flash unit offered - usually successfully.

Before that pretty much everything was manual only but with an ability to assess the total light reflected by the scene and shorten the flash time if required. So at least some 'assist'.

I have never used any of the modern units but have a number of the older "45"s and though they are all old and relatively crude by modern standards they have been extremely resistant to abuse so I would be very surprised if the available quality of performance and build was less than excellent.

[flat-planedCrank]

MysteryLemon said:

Simpo Two said:

The strobe you refer to is probably an anti-redeye setting rather than AF assist.

No, no, it's not. It's a horrible AF assist system Canon, Olympus and Pentax (if not others too) put on their entry level DSLRs to save money by not fitting a proper lamp.

It fires off strobing bursts of flash to light the scene whilst the lens hunts. Very off putting for any subject! If you've got anti-redeye enabled, you then get another burst when you actually press the shutter button

Like I say though, I always turned the strobe assist off on my Olympus DSLRs. The cameras rarely needed any assistance in focusing in low light. They took longer to find focus but always managed.

Edited by MysteryLemon on Friday 3rd January 12:04

It's annoying for portraits, but I don't mind it as a feature for on-board flash in general. It's basically the camera saying 'I can't focus, I need more light' so pulsing the on-board flash is the best option it has?


As has been said, getting a speedlite with a proper AF assist (the red 'barcode' as Simpo said) is really handy. I quite often attach a flash but disable it firing just to get the faster, more accurate AF if I think it's going to struggle.

[redtwin]

Thanks for all the help.

I have narrowed it down to a Metz Mechablitz AF which does have the red AF beam panel on the front. Just have decide on the 24 or 36.

[Simpo Two]

If it's just a question of power, Simpo's Third Law says take the more powerful. You can turn a powerful flashgun down but you can't turn a weak one up.

[redtwin]

I have never been one to argue with having more power than needed. Was just thinking that a more compact flash would be easier to cart around. Either one won't fit in my current camera case, so size may be a moot point.

[Simpo Two]

Ah well then as you have nothing to lose you need the one that won't fit the most, and take the bragging rights

[LongQ]

Simpo Two said:

Ah well then as you have nothing to lose you need the one that won't fit the most, and take the bragging rights

This.

I have, amongst the Metz units. A Canon 580EXII. Much smaller than my Metz "Newsman" units but still looks utterly ludicrous when I use it with a G11!

Of course I don't care at all .... honestly!

[Mr Will]

redtwin said:

Thanks for all the help.

I have narrowed it down to a Metz Mechablitz AF which does have the red AF beam panel on the front. Just have decide on the 24 or 36.

It's not just a question of power; the 36 can be tilted up for bounce flash, the 24 can't. Get the 36 (or even better, the 44 which can be tilted or swivelled).

[Simpo Two]

Tilt (bounce) is essential and swivel is helpful so go for both if the budget will stand it.

[markmullen]

LongQ said:

In recent times Metz have produced units that are the same basic flash but with versions suited to and making use of each manufacturer's pet systems and foibles.

Prior to that they often produced secondary control units so the old style "Newsphotographer" units could be operated manually or via an interface unit that would attempt to emulate what the OEM flash unit offered - usually successfully.

Before that pretty much everything was manual only but with an ability to assess the total light reflected by the scene and shorten the flash time if required. So at least some 'assist'.

I have never used any of the modern units but have a number of the older "45"s and though they are all old and relatively crude by modern standards they have been extremely resistant to abuse so I would be very surprised if the available quality of performance and build was less than excellent.

I've got a 45 somewhere, lovely old thing.

[Starfighter]

Focus manually?

[LongQ]

Starfighter said:

Focus manually?

If it's dark enough for the camera to need assistance it is probably dark enough to make manual focus a bit of a challenge too. Still, back in the old days it's what one did and got used to it. The definition of "Acceptably sharp" may have changed though.