Lack of built-in flash on OM-D annoying or frustrating?

Thinking of selling my G3 and moving towards OM-D for following reasons

1) OM-D better camera overall

2) higher FPS rate

3) image stabilization

4) better white balance (IMO the G3 is horrible at this)

As a result losing 2 things

1) Swivel screen that rotates towards front

2) Built In Flash

The lack of flash is what concerns me more; I know it comes with a snap-on attachment; those of you who have one do you just carry it around in the pocket or leave it attached? I wonder why Oly didn't consider building it into the camera like most SLRs do nowadays, the Rebel series for example.

Yes, it is annoying.  I don't use the flash very much so it's not so much of an issue for me.  When you want to use it, you have to take off the plastic cover not only from the hotshoe, but from the flash unit as well.  It is the one annoying thing about the omd.

The alternative is to leave it on all the time.  Or not worry about the plastic cover on the flash unit itself.

But it's a fantastic camera otherwise.

Dan

I eventually  decided  just to leave it on and now I am no longer irritated by it.

I think this one is simple: if you use on-camera flash, it's an annoying omission. If you don't, it isn't. I dislike on-camera flash rather intensely and consider the inclusion of one a negative. They provide terrible light and I've never fond much use for small, direct on-camera flash. If I want a certain hard, direct flash 'look', I'll be using a much larger shoe-mounted flash like the FL-600R or my SB-700 on my Nikon. I also find that built-in flashes compromise build quality. I'm coming from a Nikon D2X and much prefer the solid 'no pop-up' feel of the OM-D to any other compact. The argument for a wireless flash controller is valid, but I like the that I have the choice to just pop the little included flash on for that purpose...like a small version of the Nikon SU-800. Usually I'm using radio controlled strobes off-camera when I'm shooting with artificial light anyways and I prefer not to have TTL...my strobist kit is comprised of a bunch of 283's on ebay triggers.

That said, I have seen on-camera flash used to good effect by skilled photographers. If you are one of those skilled photographers, then you'll probably want one. If you're not, then your photos will probably be improved by shooting at a higher ISO and converting to B&W in post.

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Dave Sanders

I don't like flash photography at all with my questionable skill, so I don't miss the absence of a flash in the least.  On the contrary, I get annoyed with built in flashes as I always have to turn them off.  Kills the battery fast too.  If you're really going to use a flash, I'd suggest something that provides better lighting than any built in flash anyway, which makes the small stuff pointless.

I depend on available light, a fast aperture lens, large dynamic range, and good high ISO performance to get me through dim situations.  Everyone else's preferences vary of course.  Some people can use flashes well, though it's rare that I see a good photo with flash as the main light source.  I am however, not skilled enough to do so, and steer clear of flash photography.

it’s even worse on the E-PL3 because you have to dispense with the VF2/3 EVF to use the flash so you are downgraded to viewing with the LCD screen. And then the damned flash is never in your pocket when you want it.

I shoot a lot of dark skinned people in strong light so I want fill-in flash pretty often. The stupid little accessory flash is such a PITA that while I really like the quirky little E-PL3 in many many ways and was actively planning to upgrade to the E-PL5, I have pretty much decided that a G5 is the way I will go (I'm also assuming the G5 is now within cooee of the Oly JPEG color).

In reality, the G5 is no bigger than the "little" E-PL3/5 when fitted with the same pancake lens (the Panny 14 is my "standard") and the VF2 is fitted on top of the E-PL3/5 and might even be lighter!

And it has that lovely little built-in flip-up flash that I knew so well in the G1.

Cheers, geoff

--
Geoffrey Heard
http://pngtimetraveller.blogspot.com/2011/10/return-to-karai-komana_31.html

Well, in the case of non-professional casual use like an indoor group picture in a dark room or any pics at night, you will have no choice BUT to use flash. Therefore the lack of built-in is incredibly annoying. That's like having a point and shoot camera without a flash. (I don't know of any)

I understand purists who feel adamantly about using ambient light, existing light, etc, or if they're having to resort to flash using a professional giant one, but not including one really puts a damper on using it indoors at all....that's why I was curious how current users deal with this limitation.

No problem, I came from a canon 5Dmk2 with no built in flash so don't miss it

You only need to attach it when you need it, it's a bit higher than normal built-in flashes, it looks cool, and it allows the body top to have an extra dial or button. When I use a flash, it's usually the FL300R (or even FL600R) so I just keep the small one in its little pouch, which can also hold the plastic covers when it's on the camera. It works great as the wireless trigger.

By the way, if you search you'll probably find about two dozen threads on this same topic last summer, when the camera was finally being delivered.

If you need the flash, just put it on and leave it on...

I came from a GF1. I have tried out my brother's G3 though. The E-M5 LCD and EVF are noticeably nicer... Especially the LCD. The E-M5 also feels like a higher quality cam, but the G3 Probably wins for ergonomics... Although I do like the e-m5 shape just fine... Even without the battery grip. The image quality isn't as much of an upgrade from the g3 as from the gf1. The frame rate of the e-m5 is scary fast. I almost never use the 9fps setting, but I do use the slower 4 or 5 fps setting regularly.

IBIS is handy... Especially with unstabilized telephotos like my adapted 90mm f/2.8 macro and the Oly 45mm f/1.8. For video it's amazing... Much better than O.I.S. for handheld video.Not shaky at all.

Seems like better auto WB than my GF1, but like all digital cams it struggles to get it right with indoor mixed lighting.

I think this would annoy me more than the lack of on-board flash. The E-M5's limited tilting LCD is of little use when shooting portrait orientation, and as you know it can't swivel to the front.

This doesn't really bother me. When I want flash I would rather use a flashgun I can bounce. The little FL300R isn't very powerful, but it is handy. I almost never use the clip-on flash that came with the camera. the FL300R is just as easy to carry. I almost never used the built in flash on my DSLR cameras either. I think the only time i use the clip-on flash is for triggering wireless remote flashes

Sean

Very annoying. The whole raison d'etre of m43 is that it's more compact than a DSLR. I don't want a flash on a hotshoe.  And despite some purists' objections, I think having at least the option of a built-in flash is incredibly useful; as fill flash in bright light, or in case of emergency in really dark situations where high ISO's aren't enough or are undesirable.

I very rarely use the flash so I am not annoyed. The only things I am likely to use it for would  macro shots and as a trigger for one or more off-camera flashes (the E-M5, unlike the G3, can wirelessly control off-camera flashes in TTL mode). I do have the small flash delivered with the E-M5 in my bag, should I need it. It is very small and light so that's hardly a problem.

I'd like to have a built-in flash for fill flash and, on the rare occasions I use flash other than as fill,  as a trigger for off-camera flash. It would be much easier to pop up a flash than to remove and try not to lose all of the little covers on the flash and camera.

--
http://fruminousbandersnatch.blogspot.com/

Personally I would have liked to see a fixed flash in the front like most compacts (eg Oly SP-310) as this would not affect the weather sealing, be just enough for portrait fill in flash up to 5 feet, and provide wireless control. Yes, there would be issues with red eye as the flash is close to lens axis (although super FP mode [long low intensity burst] may solve this) and yes the range is pathetic, but there would still be the option of hot shoe or off camera bounce/slave flash for those situations that demand more.

I'm happy with it not being built in.

I never use flash for normal photography. If I did then I'd be investing in a decent flash that can bounce.

I chuck it on when I'm doing macro stuff. It works really well for that, and, more importantly, is high enough to clear the lens. I also switch it out fot the LED macro arms depending on what I'm photographing.

Other than that it just lives in the bag.

I've done just that, it helped that Olympus UK were offering a 'free' 45mm 1.8!

Pretty much, but with a well exposed image at lower ISO the difference is minimal.  Push the shadows and they're like chalk and cheese! I don't miss having to manually switch from viewfinder to LCD either!

not my thing, so I'm not sure, the OM-D has more shutter lag though.

for me it was worth the switch for this alone, a stabilised 20mm f1.7 is quite something, same goes for the 45mm f1.8.

I'm not sure that's the case, I tweak it lightroom anyway

Loosing the swivel screen doesn't bother me and the OM-D's higher res screen is a big plus.  Loosing the flash does. I don't mind it being external, I'm used to it with my DSLRs.  However it's underpowered (the reviews say so too), I've never had dial up +2 stops flash comp before to get a decent exposure!  Speaking of flash comp, I find I have to adjust it a lot more than the G3.  As built-in flashes go I found the G3's to be very good, it usually just works as it should.

Most of the time I leave the flash at home unless I know I'm going to use it, then I leave it on the camera.

I don't miss having it attached

When I need flash, it's usually the FL-50r anyway, so it's no big deal to add the baby flash if I want the FL50 remote.

--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

When I think I'll need it I leave it clipped on.  It works fine there and doesn't bulk up the camera much.  I almost never think I'll need it so I usually don't have it.  In fact I'm not sure where it is right now.  So that could be a problem.

--
This never would have happened if Tedolf was still alive.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smrlabs/

Not a problem at all.  When left on, it has the appearance and takes up space like a popup flash on many dSLR cameras, and it locks on so it won't easily come off by itself.  I leave mine on, except when I want two things:  exclusive shooting in ambient light using one of those wonderful PanLympus fast lenses and pocketable compactness.  A few days ago I was shooting a gallery exhibition opening with OM-D and Panasonic 20/1.7 in a jacket pocket.

I am more annoyed by jingling strap clips and tangled neck straps.  So I use a Blackrapid or nothing at all (including the little clips).  Just like the flash, in this respect the OM-D affords customization.  Use it or leave it off.  Flexibility is more valuable to me than a built-in flash that takes up control/display space or a built-on flash that permanently bans it from my jacket pocket.

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DelK
community photographer
Current project: http://clemsonphotos.org