ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

I searched the forums but didn't see anything with this combination. And I've Googled this as well with little result.

I was trying out a new flash diffuser, taking pics of flowers in the garden this evening (twilight) using an E-3 and a 14-54 and FL=36 flash. I noticed that the pictures were just not that sharp. I was using focal plane flash at 320th of a second, f8, hand held. I tried shooting at 18, 25 and 50 mm and no luck. It looked like a back focusing issue but I've never had that problem before.

Tried a couple of different lenses, but no luck. Switched to the pop-up and 200th of a second and still not sharp.

So I picked up the E-420 and the same combination of lenses using the pop-up, 180th of a second and f8 and doggonit, the shots were close to tack sharp. This bummed me out because now it looked like my E-3 body suddenly had a focus problem.

But then I realized the the e-420 does not have image stabilization. So I turned the E-3's IS off and went out and duplicated my efforts but now the pictures were razor sharp.

So, has anyone had any experience with, or heard of, an incompatibility with flash and IS (VR)? Or perhaps only with in-camera stabilization (like Olympus has), in the same way that many feel that the old IS systems defeat the purpose of a tripod? Or I am just nuts?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

OC, I have used IS in the studio and have never turned off the IS. I've never had it be a broblem. I shoot handheld but use the auto focus, so maybe the iS is actually engaged. The flash is so fast I can't see that it would affect the shot.
Maybe it's to dark for the focus. We're you using the focus assist? Maybe it's the focus and not the IS. Does the focus ever hunt?
I'm not saying its OK, just its never presented me with a problem. We'll have to see if others have had a problem.
You certainly don't need the IS when using flash. Unless maybe its just a slight amount of fill. SS

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I have had no such issues with my Pentax K-5 with in body IS but about the only time I use flash is with a manual focus lens so can not say if AF would effect it or not

Shot with flash and IS can not get much sharper

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Never had an issue with my e5 and fl-36 with IS1 on...or at least not that I've noticed. I do turn it off when I'm on a tripod though.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

I don't have your Olympus camera but just thinking about how VR and High Speed Sync (Olympus Super FP mode)works it is possible that there is a conflict.

With Olympus VR the sensor moves slightly to compensate for camera movement, HS Sync fires a flash multiple times as the shutter (slit) exposes the sensor. The entire sensor is not exposed at the same time so it is possible that the VR movement of the sensor displaces the sensor ever so slightly as portions of it are exposed thereby causing some blur. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. :lol:

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Thats kind of what I'm thinking. But I got similar results with the pop up flash.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

If you're using a tripod you may get some bluring due to VR sensor movement trying to compensate for camera movement which is not there. It is normally best to turn off VR when mounted on a tripod.

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

No tripod. Hand held.

Boots

I don't think OP's configuration involved "high speed sync." The e-3 does have a faster shutter sync than the e-420, but I don't believe OP's settings involved the multiple-flash associated with true HSS. On the other hand, I have no hands-on familiarity with Olympus flashes (other than the pop-up kind). I use an after-market flash with TTL capability. I wonder if Olympus's IS is SO good that it can adjust in the wee little time that a flash flashes?

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

No, at first I was using high speed sync (or FP - Focal Plain - flash), 1/320, with auto TTL, then switched to on board flash. Also, when using the speedlight I was using its infrared AF assist, which is typically very accurate.