Focus sucks

Lee Jay · Jun 3, 2005

bradlack said:
I don't think that I should be learning
what I can and cannot do. For that kind of money it should do what
I want it to do. Obviously within reason.

The implicit assumption here is that the camera is smarter than you are. I hope this isn't true. Put the focus box on something with some contrast like an edge. I had no trouble whatsoever getting it to focus at the long end of the lens in EV7 light without focus assist. But if you put the box on a flat subject, it isn't going to work as it has nothing to lock on to.

Lee Jay

DavZell · Jun 3, 2005

I thought it was a funny comment, myself. I happened to have my sound turned off as well -- it is less distracting to others that way. I think I may have turned off all sounds except focus lock on the S1 - if that is possible -- because it is normally quiet, but I vaguely recall some beep.

Anyhow -- depending on your preferences, sound, or no sound, makes sense.

D.

DavZell · Jun 3, 2005

I've got second that -- I have learned with the S1 and now S2 to locate an edge to focus on. My focus rate is quite high this way. As long as the edge is on the same focal plane (same distance from you) as the subject, you just adjust the framing and snap away.

Added trick... if you are taking a lot of pictures at that same distance, you can hit the MF (manual focus) button after a successful focus lock (before moving your camera, if you have continuous focus on). That will lock the focus at the current setting as long as you just hit the button and don't move the focus point via the directional pad. With focus locked, you can shoot away without having to worry about, or wait for, focus to be achieved again. Just remember to turn MF off before taking pictures of something else! (To do that, just hit the MF button again.)

Hope that was helpful,
D.

CarlB · Jun 3, 2005

Lee Jay,

ljfinger said:
The implicit assumption here is that the camera is smarter than you
are. I hope this isn't true. Put the focus box on something with
some contrast like an edge. I had no trouble whatsoever getting it
to focus at the long end of the lens in EV7 light without focus
assist. But if you put the box on a flat subject, it isn't going
to work as it has nothing to lock on to.

Is this true even for far subjects in EV7?

--
Carl,
Montreal, Canada

Lee Jay · Jun 3, 2005

CarlB said:
Is this true even for far subjects in EV7?

The subject I shot in EV7 at full telephoto was about 100 feet away.

Lee Jay

mf6764 · Jun 3, 2005

That's not as much learning the camera as learning workarounds to the camera's shortcomings. Otherwise it would be like saying all cameras can have stabilization just place it on a steady surface no more camera shake.

vanyagor · Jun 3, 2005

ljfinger said:
CarlB said:

Is this true even for far subjects in EV7?

Click to expand...

The subject I shot in EV7 at full telephoto was about 100 feet away.

And what was the camera?

--
Regards,

Ivan
http://gordeli.fizteh.ru/foto/

Lee Jay · Jun 3, 2005

vanyagor said:
ljfinger said:

CarlB said:

Is this true even for far subjects in EV7?

Click to expand...

The subject I shot in EV7 at full telephoto was about 100 feet away.

Click to expand...

And what was the camera?

S2.

Lee Jay

vanyagor · Jun 3, 2005

ljfinger said:
vanyagor said:

ljfinger said:

CarlB said:

Is this true even for far subjects in EV7?

Click to expand...

The subject I shot in EV7 at full telephoto was about 100 feet away.

Click to expand...

And what was the camera?

Click to expand...

S2.

OK, I guess if the distance is large (as in your case) the picture within the frame has enough details to focus on.

If the distance would be smaller than 100 feet (think about indoors) you might have problems focusing. Indoors I can not focus even if there is an vertical edge within the frame with my S1 (at high zoom).

--
Regards,

Ivan
http://gordeli.fizteh.ru/foto/

Lee Jay · Jun 3, 2005

vanyagor said:
vanyagor said:

vanyagor said:

vanyagor said:

The subject I shot in EV7 at full telephoto was about 100 feet away.

Click to expand...

And what was the camera?

Click to expand...

S2.

Click to expand...

OK, I guess if the distance is large (as in your case) the picture
within the frame has enough details to focus on.

If the distance would be smaller than 100 feet (think about
indoors) you might have problems focusing. Indoors I can not focus
even if there is an vertical edge within the frame with my S1 (at
high zoom).

This was indoors. Circuit City is a big place.

The S1 had far more difficulty than the S2.

Lee Jay

philipp55 · Jun 3, 2005

Thanks for the tip!

After a very frustrating morning repeatedly trying to maintain focus across a gymnasium, I tried your tip - locking in, then hitting the MF button - and it worked wonders. I read the manual but I'm a newbie and messing with MF was the last thing I wanted to attempt. I was second-guessing my s2 purchase with the focus problems, but not anymore. Took many shots with full zoom tonight with no problems at all. Lovin' the s2 now! Video has been awesome, too...

bradlack · Jun 3, 2005

When I first made the comment about not learning to use the camera it was misinterpretted by the next dozen readers who seemed to think I was insulting my own intelligence. You've hit the nail on the head. Its finding out the work arounds. Why does it just not work? Straight up I want to focus in low light.... there be focus....

My boss and I concluded today in this discussion that I took a wrong turn at the camera store. Or maybe I have a split personsality. My heart wanted to be in the 35mm SLR aisle but my mind lead me to the point and shoot digital aisle. This camera just is not going to do what a mediocre 35mm with manual focus could do. I guess I will take it up with my shrink.

I have to admit though the help here has made a difference. Edges work somewhat. Pulling back the zoom to midway helps. Tripod helps (it does focus more reliably if not hand held at long zoom) I have not tried the lock focus yet but it makes sense to work. And have been doing reading about hyperfocus and a custome setting that will focus on everything beyond certain distance.

Thanks all

Bob Schrader · Jun 3, 2005

A few things that confuse me with the S1 manual focus

Nothing is sharp with focus set to infinity, not even the moon so you have to back away from infinity a tap or two for best results

I find manual focus difficult because of the low resolution EVF

Even when I use focus bracketing the results are not that good

I get the sharpest pictures using auto focus but the problem is it takes about 10 shots to get a sharp one

mikewinter · Jun 3, 2005

bradlack said:
I have found in two days of playing with my new S2 that it has a
terrible time focusing in low light conditions. This seems
especially bad in tele mode. The little green illumination light
is not much help. I thought that the cross pattern in the light
was to give it something to focus on but its not sharp enough
either. I've been reading about hyperfocus but that should not be
necessary in the outdoor light 30 - 40 minutes after sunset. Still
lots light to visibly see the details in faces on people I was
trying to capture but could not get the green square to light.
Even with lots of contrast at the edge of face would not lock.
Turn on the lights and it works fine but I will not always be able
to turn up the lights in all situations.

Its not the same as in a well lit photo shop.

This is my first ownershio experience for a digital camera. Used
the one at work for lots of outdoor pics but never tried to compose
a portait in my living room before. Is this common trait of AF
systems? Any similar problems with Pan z5?

Debating using the 14 day money back clause in my agreement.

I played and played for a long time with my S2 tonight, and I figured out the issue. Under the menu settings there is a setting for "Spot AE Point" which can either be "Center" or "AF Spot". If you notice, the green AF is slightly down and to the left, to varying degrees depending on zoom and distance from target. If you are using the AF assist lamp, you get MUCH MUCH better AF results if you set this setting to "AF Spot" (it is by default "Center"). This forces the camera to focus on the AF assist, not on the center. Then you just have to aim the AF light at the point you want focuses.

I sat in my dark living room for half an hour, getting very bummed about my new S2, until I figured this out. I am otherwise very happy with the S2- the movie mode at 640x480x30fps is wonderful, the sound is excellent, and the pictures are turning out great - vice the high ISO noise, which I knew would be present from this forum's comments.

I did discover a single stuck red pixel in the near-middle of the CCD (not the LCD). I may take this one back to Circuit City and get one that isn't defective.

I hope this helps.

Mike

reway · Jun 4, 2005

S1 manual focus really sucks bob this one was taken at infinity
exif below

Exif Version=0220
Maker=Canon
Model=Canon PowerShot S1 IS
Software=
Color Space=sRGB
Image Width(pixels)=2048
Image Length(pixels)=1536
X Resolution=180.0
Y Resolution=180.0
Resolution Unit=dot/inch
Date Time Scaned=2005:05:23 21:49:34
File Source=DSC
Description=
Artist=
Date Time Original=2005:05:23 21:49:34
Scene Capture Type=Standard
Exposure Mode=Manual Exposure
Shutter Speed Value=1/500 Second
Aperture Value=4.00
Flash=Off
ISO Speed Rating=
User Comment=

Lee Jay · Jun 4, 2005

Okay, here's the deal. Almost no lens will have anything in focus when focused at infinity. Here's why.

The actual physical position of true infinity focus changes with lens temperature. This is because the lens expands and contracts with temperature changes thereby changing the optical distances. But what if you want to get to infinity and the lens has expanded or contracted such that true infinity focus isn't even between the stops anymore? Then you can't focus on infinity.

They get around this problem by allowing the lens to go a little past infinity most of the time. The assures that true infinity will always be between the stops at any temperature. The downside of the this is that the end stop (where the lens goes if you set it to infinity) is usually past the true infinity focus point. When you are past infinity, nothing is in focus. That's why you have to actually focus instead of relying on the end stop.

Lee Jay

reway · Jun 4, 2005

Lee Jay isn't the farest light source for the camera infinity for that camera
will it not focus when that is the only light source ?(i'm not to bright
and would be hard to focus on, bear with me)

Bob Schrader · Jun 4, 2005

I’ll try to post a shot but Sony Imagestation does not always open
Moon shot in manual but backed off from infinity
Note new star left of moon named Schrader’s bad pixel

Sat May 28 2005, 06:46pm PT

tele1.6x File Name IMG_1543.JPG Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot S1 IS Shooting Date/Time 4/23/2005 10:59:47 PM Shooting Mode Manual Photo Effect Off Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/500 Av (Aperture Value) 7.1 Light Metering Center Weighted Avg. ISO Speed 50 Lens 5.8 - 58.0mm Focal Length 58.0mm Digital Zoom x 3.2 Image Stabilizer Off Image Size 2048x1536 Image Quality Superfine Flash Off White Balance Auto AF Mode Continuous AF Color Space sRGB File Size 292KB Drive Mode Self-timer Operation

Lee Jay · Jun 4, 2005

reway said:
Lee Jay isn't the farest light source for the camera infinity for
that camera
will it not focus when that is the only light source ?(i'm not to
bright
and would be hard to focus on, bear with me)

Autofocus, yes. But if you just set the camera in manual and set it for infinity, it's just going to go to the lens' end stop.

Lee Jay

reway · Jun 4, 2005

thanks Lee Jay easier to understand

nice moon shot Bob do u like the tele1.6x thinking of getting
one when i save up enough, my moon is reg lens Stabilizer on
iso100

Focus sucks

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-known member

Forum Pro

Member

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Forum Pro

New member

Member

Well-known member

Active member

Veteran Member

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Well-known member

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts