S50 - LCD screen flicker? Fault or normal?

[guv69]

Hi

First posting here - so please go gentle ;)

I have just bought the S50 in the last couple of days. First impression is that it truely is capable of excellent results, though its pretty clear I have a bit of learning to do to get the best out of it.

My question is relating to the LCD screen. When it is being used to take pictures, every now and then it seens to flicker a little, sometimes going much darker. Ive noticed that it also does this when I am taking a pre focus or actually taking the photo. I would imagine that this might be normal for this - but doubt if it is normal when nothing is being touched.

Anyone have any knowledge on this? Am I expecting too much and this is normal? Dont think it is, but thought it wise to check before sending it back if it is faulty.

Regards

Les

[guv69]

Should make it a little clearer...

The fickering I am reffering to is the brightening and darkening of the LCD. It doesnt appear to do this when previewing pictures, just when it is a live screen. Definately more apparent when moving the camera (thus introducing small lighting changes), but it does also do this (to a lesser degree) when the camera is still, with no lighting changes at all.

Sorry if that description before was a little too vague.


Thanks

[Guillermo Freige]

Les:
This is the DIGIG processor evaluating the image. Apparently (as said by Canon) the DiGIC evaluates the image full-time, even when you don't depress the shutter halfway to trigger AF and AE, to reduce shutter lag times and improve exposure. So the changes during preview are normal, they are just the DiGIC "thinking" :)

[guv69]

Many thanks for that Guillermo. I really did think I was going to have to send it back! Thing is, when I viewed the camera in the shop, I never saw it (or at least didnt acknowledge it!)

Do you see this as a bit annoying? Obviously you want to let the camera do its job (and try not to get in its way), but it can be quite offputting when you are trying to compose a shot and the thing goes dark before your very eyes!

Another annoying aspect Ive seen. When using autofocus, at times I have noticed that it zones in correctly, then for no reason seems to view like its not locked (and so I dont take the picture). Any idea why that should be?

Thanks again.

Les

[Guillermo Freige]

Les:
Which shooting mode and AE mode are you using?
The brightness shift is much more noticeable when you are using Spot metering, as only the center area (or the focus point if you lock spot mettering with focus point) is taken into consideration to calculate exposure, and if you are moving the camera, the differences in light can be very dramatic. I only use creative modes, and center focus point, and by default evaluative mettering, and in this metter mode, the whole image is considered for exposure, so no such dramatic differences can be seen.
Also as I only use center focus point, the camera locks focus or not (green and double beep for ok, yellow and single beep for fail) so I don't know if what you describes during failed AF locks is normal AiAF behaiviour or not.
The main reasons for a failed AF are low light or a not enough contrasted subject in the focus point. Also the camera reacts better to vertical lines than to horizontal ones (except in the center area). The low light issue is worst in tele than in wideangle, because the lens is less luminous in tele and it needs more light to lock focus. When that happens, try to find the more contrasted and illuminated area of the subject to lock focus and if it stills fails, switch to MF.

[guv69]

To be honest (and as previously admitted), I still have a way to go on understanding what all the symbols etc are for. (Owned my first SLR all of 28 years ago - so the photograpic part isnt the problem!)

When I refer to the focus drift, I'll be honest and say I never really thought about what setting. Probably completely auto. I have messed with portait, AP and SP, but little more. Its all about learing what the camera can actually do - which I intend to do - but after a few days am picking things up. Always best to look in the manual I know (and intend to), but you know how it is when you get a new toy;-) The questions raised are more along the lines of "is this correct or is something faulty".

Many thanks for your time.

I will have a play in the next few days and report back after noting a few of the settings.

What I will say on the focus part question, is an admission that it wasnt brilliant lighting - but not *that* bad not to have expected it to lock. As mentioned, it did seem to lock in, but then release that "nice" focus and become a little blurry. Not just on LCD, but in the photo itself. I guess I am used to my EOS and the fact it locks and shows you what too - and stays there!! ;-)

Cheers

Les