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TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Started Oct 11, 2013 | Questions
ephik New Member • Posts: 4
TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Hi, I've just purchased TG-2 few days ago and 95% of indoor pictures are way too dark, really unusable. I've tried various settings and stuff but the result seems to be the same. Outdoor seems fine. Any ideas?

Thanks

ANSWER:
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Mittskitts Contributing Member • Posts: 897
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

What is your metering set on (ESP or spot)? Are you shooting toward bright windows with ESP? That can cause underexposure of the non-lighted parts of the image. In that situation, using the P modes with fill flash usually works, or set the metering to spot metering on the darker parts of the picture. How does the backlight HDR scene setting work for you? The HDR scene setting is very useful for tough lighting conditions.

I have a TG-1 and find that the iAuto does a very respectable job overall. I don't care for it when it selects the candlelight scene setting, but overall it makes good decisions. The above is how I deal with it when it isn't doing what I want.

 Mittskitts's gear list:Mittskitts's gear list
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Olympus SH-50 Olympus Tough TG-3 Olympus TG-6 Nikon Coolpix P950 +12 more
OP ephik New Member • Posts: 4
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Hi,

Thanks for answers. I haven't actually touched the metering settings so it was using iESP in the semi manual modes (not sure what it uses in iAuto). The indoor composition was various but usually no light source in the picture (actually when there was a light source it was better).

But I did some more testing and looks like the problem actually is when lower aperture numbers are used F2.0, F2.8. When something bigger is used F5.6+ it ok. Also sometimes it's fine for a while and then it decides that's enough and it's all wrong again for days :(.

No idea what's wrong with it...

Mittskitts Contributing Member • Posts: 897
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

There is a reset command to restore the shooting functions to default settings (first option in the Camera Menu 1). I'd do a reset and see what that does. Something may have gotten changed in your explorations, and that would at least give you a fresh start in examining what is going on.

 Mittskitts's gear list:Mittskitts's gear list
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Olympus SH-50 Olympus Tough TG-3 Olympus TG-6 Nikon Coolpix P950 +12 more
OP ephik New Member • Posts: 4
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Cheers, I've tried that before. But that's unfortunately not factory reset, it only resets some of the settings within the selected mode. Didn't help anyway. I'm beginning to be believe it's not settings problem as it sometimes happens sometimes doesn't. I've contacted Olympus support, I guess we'll see.

Thanks

TJer
TJer Forum Member • Posts: 54
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

ephik wrote:

Cheers, I've tried that before. But that's unfortunately not factory reset, it only resets some of the settings within the selected mode. Didn't help anyway. I'm beginning to be believe it's not settings problem as it sometimes happens sometimes doesn't. I've contacted Olympus support, I guess we'll see.

Thanks

Have you found a solution to your problem? If so would you mind sharing it with us?

 TJer's gear list:TJer's gear list
Nikon Coolpix 995 Fujifilm X100S Nikon D70 Olympus E-M1 Sony a7R +45 more
OP ephik New Member • Posts: 4
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was HW problem. It also wouldn't focus when zoomed 2.5+x, would make weird clicking noise at max zoom.

Considered having it repaired but after wasting a week talking to various robots at Olympus support without any resolution I've decided to send it back to seller and stay away from Olympus in the future.

Just note: it was a refurbished product, I choose it specifically for this reason so I don't have to worry about it not working when it arrives as it was supposed to be checked/fixed at the factory before sending out - apparently that's not the case for Olympus factory.

jgalicam New Member • Posts: 1
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

I bought my TG-2 brand new from Amazon through the "Carolinas" seller.  It shipped with a European wall charger to my US address and now I'm having the same issue you're describing.  Anytime I have it in iAUTO mode, about 40% of my pictures are completely unusable.  Happens to me more outdoors in broad daylight than any other time.  I would agree with the F2.0/F2.8 trend.  I'm planning to return it for something else - no point in having a waterproof camera if it doesn't take reliable photos.

TJer
TJer Forum Member • Posts: 54
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

jgalicam wrote:

I bought my TG-2 brand new from Amazon through the "Carolinas" seller. It shipped with a European wall charger to my US address and now I'm having the same issue you're describing. Anytime I have it in iAUTO mode, about 40% of my pictures are completely unusable. Happens to me more outdoors in broad daylight than any other time. I would agree with the F2.0/F2.8 trend. I'm planning to return it for something else - no point in having a waterproof camera if it doesn't take reliable photos.

I suspect it's just a setting that needs adjustment. Rather than reacting as you've indicated, perhaps a quick call or e-mail to the folks at Olympus would be more appropriate? The TG-2 is an extraordinary P&S camera, it would be a shame to get rid of a camera simply because of a misunderstanding ...

 TJer's gear list:TJer's gear list
Nikon Coolpix 995 Fujifilm X100S Nikon D70 Olympus E-M1 Sony a7R +45 more
Raouldp New Member • Posts: 2
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

I have just bought a TG-2. Exactly the same issue.

Put the camera on iAuto. Most of the pictures are so dark one can make out only the brightest features.

Seems no pattern to it.

Put the camera into special "recognise cats mode" and it seems ok. Very weird.

Mittskitts Contributing Member • Posts: 897
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Have you gone into the Gears menu and done a reset?

 Mittskitts's gear list:Mittskitts's gear list
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Olympus SH-50 Olympus Tough TG-3 Olympus TG-6 Nikon Coolpix P950 +12 more
Raouldp New Member • Posts: 2
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Yes, did the reset, makes no difference.

If I switch modes to scene, landscape the issue goes away. But either scene portrait, or iAuto have the problem.

Not worth futzing with this, I think I'll send it back.

LAS2002 Forum Member • Posts: 68
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

I've had a TG-2 for almost a year and I love the concept but not always the results. In iAUTO Mode especially indoors, it repetitively selects the most open aperture and slow shutter speed rather than flashing (with the flash in auto mode). The result is poor depth of field and less than sharp photos. I also use P mode but it still seems to select large apertures and slow shutter speeds - unless I force the flash ON. It was sent back to Olympus but nothing changed and they said it met all Specs...I also use a Canon S120 - and the results are FAR superior - especially indoors. The TG-2 probably just needs a bigger processor. Also, it would be nice if the TG-2 had a BURST MODE.

Mittskitts Contributing Member • Posts: 897
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

Try the super sport setting for bursts.

 Mittskitts's gear list:Mittskitts's gear list
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Olympus SH-50 Olympus Tough TG-3 Olympus TG-6 Nikon Coolpix P950 +12 more
Marco Smeets New Member • Posts: 3
Re: TG-2 taking dark pictures?

I have the same problem with TG-3. Sometimes very very dark pictures. When this happens the shutterspeed is always 1/2000 . Sometimes it does this...without a reason, can not explain, even on iAuto. Only in a category modes like 'underwater' then it never happens.

On my holliday I had a lot of fun with this camera....and a lot of frustration. When I was in the store to bring it back, I had to take 30 pictures...and then it happend again! Shutterspeed went on 1/2000 I was happy to show this silly behavour. He agreed something was wrong so he send it back to Olympus. Now I have to wait 3 weeks. I hope they can fix it.... Looks like there are only a couple of people in the world of having this problem.

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