Flash AF Assist - Wouldn't Work

[jgs001]

I was trying to take some low light shots of the kids with sparklers for the family snaps (going for some longer exposures and drawing with the sparklers. As I would normally in low light, I popped the flash to use the AF Assist beam, half pressed the shutter and no flash. The lens went off hunting back and forth to finally give up. I checked the flash settings all ok, I tried again and the same results. I ended up trying to manually focus using a torch to light the subject (it didn't work very well). I ended up with not quite in focus shots, which is a bit of a shame, but I'm sure the kids will be happy if I get some more sparklers and try again

Anyway, I found out what the problem was. I'd been trying to take some birds in flight shots (I didn't get any usable btw, the 55-250 focusing isn't quick enough) and had set the camera to servo af instead of one shot AF. Using the powers of 20:20 hindsight (wonderful thing) I can understand why, but I was worried, at the time, that I'd broken something, with the dew from the long nights doing astrophotograhy.

I hope this helps someone out, although I'm sure the majority on here will probably already know this anyway. I hope this is one mistake I won't be making again. AF Assist Beam doesn't work when set to Servo AF :bang::bang::bang:

 

[dizzledazzle]

Unfortunately in low light you will have problems focussing, even using a hotshoe flash (most have built in AF beams) the chances of it focussing are low.

I would either use a torch to help brighten up the area you want in focus, or select manual focus and do it yourself!

 

[jgs001]

Thanks for the comment. I ended up using a torch and manual focus, would be easier with a split focus screen like I have on the OM1 but... The AF beam normally works fine in low light, just on this occasion didn't as I'd forgotten to change the servo AF to one shot AF.