Turned off AF-assist Beam - what effect?

[alexham36]

I was trying to take a picture of my neighbours cats with Ixus 95IS and I noticed that they closed their eyes as the AF-assist Beam flashed, so I could not get really good pictures. When I got home I looked through the menu and turned the AF-assist Beam off.

The camera still focuses OK and I could not detect any difference in a few test shots, but I should be grateful if anyone could tell me the effect of turning it off before I ruin a photo opportunity.

Many thanks,

Alex

[digitravel]

Its just one of those does what it says on the tin things. It emmits a red beam that assists your autofocus to work better in low light situations. On a built in flash it can be irritating to the subject. Just try explaining it to the cats and they might learn to live with it.

[alexham36]

Thanks for that, digitravel. The focus works in normal daylight/tungsten situations without the AF-assist Beam, so I will leave it off for normal photography.

Alex

[Still_Togging_Along]

Good idea Dr Dolittle!