S90 focusing question #2

Some time ago, I posted a question regarding the poor focusing on some images of my new S90. I included a shot of a bridge, where I took 3 pictures and 2 were out of focus. I've included a crop below. It was suggested that infinity focus was at best a close approximation, it may be better to go to manual focus when faced with long shots, or take multiple exposure to ensure one was in focus.

Now today I took a picture with plenty of light and a decent hand held speed, yet the image was blurry. I've included a crop, and like the bridge crop, these came from the middle of the image. The sign was about 40 meters away, so there should be no trouble focusing. Nothing else was in the image to throw off focus.

Any idea why I am getting some images out of focus? Certainly I don't have to take multiple images of EvERY shot, or resort to manual focus just to get a decent, consistent in focus result...

Suggestions, comments appreciated. John

I didn't see your first post but it's difficult to try to figure out the problem without having more information. What camera settings did you use such as focus mode and image stabilization mode. Are you using the digital zoom, or just the optical zoom? If you're using the digital zoom that may be the basis of your problem.

Because the entire image is blurred is looks like camera shake. Still hard to tell without more information.
--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb

My Canon s90 BLOG: http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-s90/canon-s90-first-impressions/

As the EXIF data on each picture shows, both were taken at mid-zoom (about 15mm) and at a speed of 1/500 and 1/80th respectively. I would not expect camera shake to be an issue at those speeds, and those mid range zooms.

You're right though, I should have posted focus mode. Both images were taken with the S90 in Evaluative focus mode, AWB. Images were stored in L Fine mode, saved as JPEGs. All the rest of the parameters are at or very close to as supplied default. I have attached the full image below.

I sure would like to know it this is a camera problem or operator problem.





== John

Hello John, the second shot looks like definite camera movement at the 10:30 o'clock to 4:30 o'clock axis. If you look just above the letter "D" to the yellow line parallel to the edge of the sign, that line would be all soft to the same degree, if the problem was just soft focus.

Member said:

As the EXIF data on each picture shows, both were taken at mid-zoom (about 15mm) and at a speed of 1/500 and 1/80th respectively. I would not expect camera shake to be an issue at those speeds, and those mid range zooms.

Click to expand...

I agree that camera shake should not be an issue at those speeds or focal length, unless you inadvertently pressed the shutter button incorrectly.

The EXIF data doesn't provide the information I was looking for.

Member said:

Both images were taken with the S90 in Evaluative focus mode,

Click to expand...

Evaluative is not a focus mode, it's an exposure mode.

Were you using AiAF or Center Focus ?

If AiAF, the camera picks where it thinks best to focus and may display one or more focus points. You have no say in where the camera focuses, and sometimes it can be hit or miss.

If I understand the manual correctly, if AiAF doesn't pick up a face in the scene, it will change to Center Focus. But unless you're aware of this, focus may be misplaced.

Center Focus is more accurate as you decide exactly where the camera focuses. See page 84 in the s90 manual.

Member said:

All the rest of the parameters are at or very close to as supplied default.

Click to expand...

To get the best shots, you sometimes have to move away from the default settings. fwiw, here are my own "default" settings:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-s90/my-canon-s90-settings/

Just curious:

Where you shooting in Full Auto mode, a Scene mode, P mode?

Was the camera set Continuous or Shot Only image stabilization? I personally find Shoot Only IS more accurate, though not everyone does.

Member said:

I have attached the full image below.

Click to expand...

I don't it is the original image, though. Originals contain EXIF data, and this contains none. EXIF data can be lost after editing and/or resizing an original and not saving it correctly.

To get full Shooting Information, look at the original image in ZoomBrowser's Preview Mode.

My best guess at this time is that the two blurred images are a result of camera shake. However, if every single photo you take is blurred, it is probably a camera problem and you should contact Canon.

--
gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb

My Canon s90 BLOG: http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-s90/canon-s90-first-impressions/

Thanks for the reply, Gail.

1. I had the camera set at AiAF, as you surmised.

2. Thanks for the link to your settings. I will review them, and try out various combinations, based on your inputs.

3. I had the camera set to C mode as I had programmed in many variables that seemed to work. I will play with other modes more, but mostly those that I can control.

4. I was using Shot Only mode.

So, thanks to your inputs, and some that I have found elsewhere, I will continue to experiment. Lots to learn, in so small a camera!

== John

Actually I've also noticed focusing problems. Quite a few times in broad daylight the camera simply cannot focus on an obvious, say, tree in the middle of the image. Other times it works fine.

I've noticed that even when the focus indicator shows a correct focus was found, if I take the image right away it might not be sharp. If I then release the shutter and do another half press, then it focuses correctly.

Almost as if sometimes the camera only gets in the general ballpark on the first attempt, and then on the second attempt--after the lens has traveled to about where it needs to be--it can actually focus. This has been the case with several S90's I've owned (previous ones returned due to defects, etc).

I agree that the second image in the post though is totally camera shake.

Thanks for the observation, I agree with it totally. I am committed to using this camera, as it is the only one I know of which has full photographic controls and still fits in a real pocket. I added the Franiec grip (great!) and control ring (a little too tall, makes the dial a little hard to spin) so from an ergonometric point of view I'm happy.

So far, I've taken about 400 images with the camera and about 10 have focus issues. In my first post on this subject, I added three identical images at infinity, taken seconds apart, and 2 of the 3 are out of focus. The last image taken was in focus, the same as you observed.

As noted by a prior poster, the sign picture is camera shake, and I'll agree. But in 2 months I'm going on an important trip and I bought the S90 specifically so I wouldn't have to carry my DSLR and related equipment but I won't be happy if I get an important shot out of focus.

If I can't resolve the focus issue (if there is one) to my satisfaction I'll just double shoot all the images I think are important and not repeatable at the time of exposure. Or, I might just buy an LX5 when it becomes available but that wil have a learning curve too, and I know the LX3 is a little too large as a pocket cam...

Oh well, wish I wasn't such a techno geek and click away with any old camera, like you see so many people do. But hey, I love it!

== John

I'll jump on this too, I've had a hell of a time getting in focus pictures during the past 3-4 photo shoots. It's always outside shooting with any level of zoom. The focus seems to be in the foreground not in the center. Happens way too often.

I think it's good practice to set only the central focus point active. Focus, keep half-pressed and recompose. Never ever use AIAF. Secondly you have to pick a high-contrast focus area, for humans different shades of color can seem strong contrast, but not necessarily to the camera. Thirdly pressing the shutter can very easily cause shake, squeeze gently.

And don't forget AF is not perfect, even expensive dslr users won't complain (I think) about having 90% of their shots in perfect focus. So safety shots are good practice too, especially for those important shots.

Of course your cam might be faulty, do some controlled tests in good light to rule that out. In that test too, only pick focus area's that are contrasty beyond all doubt to even a half-blind person.

Bas

John.Laninga said:

Some time ago, I posted a question regarding the poor focusing on some images of my new S90. I included a shot of a bridge, where I took 3 pictures and 2 were out of focus. I've included a crop below. It was suggested that infinity focus was at best a close approximation, it may be better to go to manual focus when faced with long shots, or take multiple exposure to ensure one was in focus.

Now today I took a picture with plenty of light and a decent hand held speed, yet the image was blurry. I've included a crop, and like the bridge crop, these came from the middle of the image. The sign was about 40 meters away, so there should be no trouble focusing. Nothing else was in the image to throw off focus.

Any idea why I am getting some images out of focus? Certainly I don't have to take multiple images of EvERY shot, or resort to manual focus just to get a decent, consistent in focus result...

Suggestions, comments appreciated. John

Click to expand...

This is probably a very silly question but in the blurred images are you absolutely positive that the camera had achieved focus lock prior to taking the shot? I ask because that is literally the only condition under which I get such blurring with my S90. Someimtes I accidenlty press too quickly. Seems like otherwise you doing what everyone else is.

Schaf