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Indoor Focus problems on the G3

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EDR

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From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could experiment with the longer before happening to make the determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on digital camera's.
 
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.
Click to expand...
I don't use the portrait mode at all. I remember testing it once but don't remember what it was about it that I didn't like. Instead, I go to P mode and do my own portraits. Focus is always right on that way.

Hope this helps.
  • Olga
 
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
I have G3 indoor focus problems as well, but mine is a little different. I am just trying to take shots of my son 10 feet away from me. Camera in full auto. Len set at 4X tele. I push the shutter release and 50% of the time the camera can't seem to focus lock and the the camera just sits there and does nothing, I push the shutter release again and it locks in, takes the picture, and it is perfectly exposed and in focus. The focus assist light is on. The room is normal indoor lighting. What's the deal?
 
Some testing ideas that come to mind:

1. use a tripod to eliminate possible camera shake

2. set focus option to single rather than continuous

3. make sure you are not in macro

4. be sure you are half pressing the shutter button, getting green light before pressing button all the way (or at least getting some kind of light color, red or orange that might indicate flash will go off, I think, I have G1, don't know G3 scheme)

VR
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
 
I went back to see what it was I didn't like about the Portrait mode and found more than one thing.

1. Cannot use flexizone focusing. I'm sure it assumes that if you are taking a portrait, you merely want to focus in the middle.

2. Cannot use RAW.

3. Cannot use SuperFine.
  • Olga
 
EDR wrote:

My question, should I keep the camera and experiment or is there a better camera for indoor photos?

EDR, maybe I can help, but some info is needed...
  • What shutter speed and apeture was the camera set to? In real time, this information was available either in the LCD or the display on top of the camera, but may also be retrieved as EXIF data after the fact. Also, what ISO setting are you using?
  • Are you hand-holding the camera or using a tripod indoors? BTW, I assume flash is not being used?
I am of the belief that most G2/G3 "available light" focus problems are directly related to "camera shake" due to the use of slow shutter speeds. So, once we establish your camera's settings, then we will be better able to locate the problem.

Randy Sluder
"Shoot more, shoot more often."

http://www.pbase.com/randy_sluder
http://www.sluderdesignstudio.com
 
Here is a link to a problem photo



File: Picture 003.jpg
File size: 569KB
Image Serial Number: 101-0138
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.00
Owner: EDR
Date/Time: 2002.12.22 14:36:48
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Portrait
Flash: Built-in Auto + Red eye reduction
Flash EF guide number: 4.84
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: Auto
Lens: 7.0 to 28.0 mm
Focal length: 20.0mm
Subject distance: 2.87 m
AF mode: Continuous AF
Image size: 2272 x 1704
Orientation: 1
Image quality: Fine
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal
Randy Sluder said:
EDR wrote:
My question, should I keep the camera and experiment or is there a
better camera for indoor photos?

EDR, maybe I can help, but some info is needed...
  • What shutter speed and apeture was the camera set to? In real
time, this information was available either in the LCD or the
display on top of the camera, but may also be retrieved as EXIF
data after the fact. Also, what ISO setting are you using?
  • Are you hand-holding the camera or using a tripod indoors? BTW, I
assume flash is not being used?

I am of the belief that most G2/G3 "available light" focus problems
are directly related to "camera shake" due to the use of slow
shutter speeds. So, once we establish your camera's settings, then
we will be better able to locate the problem.

Randy Sluder
"Shoot more, shoot more often."

http://www.pbase.com/randy_sluder
http://www.sluderdesignstudio.com
Click to expand...
 
Hi,

Of those out-of-focus pictures, do you remember what the AF indicators looked like before taking those pictures? If the subject does not have enough contrast for it to be able to focus, the G3's AF indicator will turn yellow instead of green. At the same time, one of the two LED lights (the one on the bottom) near the eyepiece of the optical viewfinder will also be blinking in yellow color. If that happens, you'll have to either point the AF zone to something more contrasty so AF could work or switch to manual focus. In my experience, if the AF indicator turns green when you half-press the shutter release, the result is always an in-focus picture. This is a lot better than my old G1 which "defaults" to infinity (thus the background) without letting me know when it could not focus.

If pictures turn out out-of-focus when the AF indicator says OK then my guess would be that something's wrong with your G3.

Hope this helps,

Peter Fang
My G3 samples site: http://peterfang.nease.net
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
 
AlfredB said:
I have G3 indoor focus problems as well, but mine is a little
different. I am just trying to take shots of my son 10 feet away
from me. Camera in full auto. Len set at 4X tele. I push the
shutter release and 50% of the time the camera can't seem to focus
lock and the the camera just sits there and does nothing,
Click to expand...
Try pressing the button longer. Or better yet, half press it.. hear the beep.. fully depress.. = )

T
AlfredB said:
I push
the shutter release again and it locks in, takes the picture, and
it is perfectly exposed and in focus. The focus assist light is on.
The room is normal indoor lighting. What's the deal?
Click to expand...
--
T
Sony F717, Canon S110, Sunpak 383 Super
 
How close are u to the subject?

T
EDR said:


File: Picture 003.jpg
File size: 569KB
Image Serial Number: 101-0138
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.00
Owner: EDR
Date/Time: 2002.12.22 14:36:48
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Portrait
Flash: Built-in Auto + Red eye reduction
Flash EF guide number: 4.84
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: Auto
Lens: 7.0 to 28.0 mm
Focal length: 20.0mm
Subject distance: 2.87 m
AF mode: Continuous AF
Image size: 2272 x 1704
Orientation: 1
Image quality: Fine
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal
Randy Sluder said:
EDR wrote:
My question, should I keep the camera and experiment or is there a
better camera for indoor photos?

EDR, maybe I can help, but some info is needed...
  • What shutter speed and apeture was the camera set to? In real
time, this information was available either in the LCD or the
display on top of the camera, but may also be retrieved as EXIF
data after the fact. Also, what ISO setting are you using?
  • Are you hand-holding the camera or using a tripod indoors? BTW, I
assume flash is not being used?

I am of the belief that most G2/G3 "available light" focus problems
are directly related to "camera shake" due to the use of slow
shutter speeds. So, once we establish your camera's settings, then
we will be better able to locate the problem.

Randy Sluder
"Shoot more, shoot more often."

http://www.pbase.com/randy_sluder
http://www.sluderdesignstudio.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
T
Sony F717, Canon S110, Sunpak 383 Super
 
  1. 2 is incorrect. You can use Superfine, both according to the Manual and from checking the camera.
OlgaJ said:
I went back to see what it was I didn't like about the Portrait
mode and found more than one thing.

1. Cannot use flexizone focusing. I'm sure it assumes that if you
are taking a portrait, you merely want to focus in the middle.

2. Cannot use RAW.

3. Cannot use SuperFine.
  • Olga
Click to expand...
--
Steve
[email protected]
Sony F717 Canon G3
 
Forgot to mention one thing: if you're close to your subject (say 30-40cm or less) you should press the Macro button to switch to macro mode otherwise the G3 won't be able to focus. But in this case the AF indicator will be yellow to tell you so.
Pete Fang said:
Of those out-of-focus pictures, do you remember what the AF
indicators looked like before taking those pictures? If the subject
does not have enough contrast for it to be able to focus, the G3's
AF indicator will turn yellow instead of green. At the same time,
one of the two LED lights (the one on the bottom) near the eyepiece
of the optical viewfinder will also be blinking in yellow color. If
that happens, you'll have to either point the AF zone to something
more contrasty so AF could work or switch to manual focus. In my
experience, if the AF indicator turns green when you half-press the
shutter release, the result is always an in-focus picture. This is
a lot better than my old G1 which "defaults" to infinity (thus the
background) without letting me know when it could not focus.

If pictures turn out out-of-focus when the AF indicator says OK
then my guess would be that something's wrong with your G3.

Hope this helps,

Peter Fang
My G3 samples site: http://peterfang.nease.net
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I've noticed similar on my G3. In portrait mode the results are OOF. Maybe it's supposed to be soft, but to me it looks OOF. I use P mode and the results are much sharper.

Regards,

Rob
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
 
I stand corrected, but I'm sure you meant #3. :-)
Steven Blackwood said:
  1. 2 is incorrect. You can use Superfine, both according to the
Manual and from checking the camera.
OlgaJ said:
I went back to see what it was I didn't like about the Portrait
mode and found more than one thing.

1. Cannot use flexizone focusing. I'm sure it assumes that if you
are taking a portrait, you merely want to focus in the middle.

2. Cannot use RAW.

3. Cannot use SuperFine.
  • Olga
Click to expand...
--
Steve
[email protected]
Sony F717 Canon G3
Click to expand...
 
Indeed, I use P mode almost exclusively. However, over the past two days I was having major problems getting the G3 to focus indoors on a stationary subject 4-5 feet away. Never had this problem before. Granted, the lighting isn't perfect, but then I tested with all the lights off, and the AF assist lamp was enough for the camera to instantly focus. However, with dimmed-down incandecent lighting I was OOF 5 times out of 6... what gives???
OlgaJ said:
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.
Click to expand...
I don't use the portrait mode at all. I remember testing it once
but don't remember what it was about it that I didn't like.
Instead, I go to P mode and do my own portraits. Focus is always
right on that way.

Hope this helps.
  • Olga
Click to expand...
 
So your taking a flash telephoto picture of your dog. At 20 mm focal length, you are likely about 3m away. That's consistent with the listed subject distance. It's also at f 2.8, so the depth of field is fairly narrow, maybe 8 inches or so, and it would be easy to miss the focus. The subject is not high contrast, and you are near the limit of the AF assist light.

If you got a green focus light with that image, your camera is possibly defective. It is also possible that you took the picture without a good focus lock. cheers, gkl
EDR said:
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.00
Owner: EDR
Date/Time: 2002.12.22 14:36:48
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Portrait
Flash: Built-in Auto + Red eye reduction
Flash EF guide number: 4.84
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: Auto
Lens: 7.0 to 28.0 mm
Focal length: 20.0mm
Subject distance: 2.87 m
AF mode: Continuous AF
Image size: 2272 x 1704
Orientation: 1
Image quality: Fine
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal
Click to expand...
 
EDR said:
Here is a link to a problem photo



File: Picture 003.jpg
File size: 569KB
Image Serial Number: 101-0138
Camera Model: Canon PowerShot G3
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.00
Owner: EDR
Date/Time: 2002.12.22 14:36:48
Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 2.8
Exposure mode: Portrait
Flash: Built-in Auto + Red eye reduction
Flash EF guide number: 4.84
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
ISO: Auto
Lens: 7.0 to 28.0 mm
Focal length: 20.0mm
Subject distance: 2.87 m
AF mode: Continuous AF
Click to expand...
Here is your problem, look at AF mode. Take it out of Continuous AF
EDR said:
Image size: 2272 x 1704
Orientation: 1
Image quality: Fine
White balance: Auto
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Picture Effect: Normal
Randy Sluder said:
EDR wrote:
My question, should I keep the camera and experiment or is there a
better camera for indoor photos?

EDR, maybe I can help, but some info is needed...
  • What shutter speed and apeture was the camera set to? In real
time, this information was available either in the LCD or the
display on top of the camera, but may also be retrieved as EXIF
data after the fact. Also, what ISO setting are you using?
  • Are you hand-holding the camera or using a tripod indoors? BTW, I
assume flash is not being used?

I am of the belief that most G2/G3 "available light" focus problems
are directly related to "camera shake" due to the use of slow
shutter speeds. So, once we establish your camera's settings, then
we will be better able to locate the problem.

Randy Sluder
"Shoot more, shoot more often."

http://www.pbase.com/randy_sluder
http://www.sluderdesignstudio.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I have had the G3 now for about a week and a half now. I have noticed that it is difficult to get a focus lock in dimly lit rooms. This is especially true if I move the AF frame off center. I attribute this to the fact that the AF assist light seems to shine in the center (maybe slightly below center) and doesn't provide very much assistance when you move the AF frame to the upper 1/3 of the frame or to the left and the right of center. If I move the AF frame back to center, it gets a focus lock eaiser.

The good news is, when I do get a focus lock, the picture is in focus about 98% of the time.

Paul
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
 
Another thing I noticed is when I am using the 420EX in bounce mode, I may not get a focus lock in dimmly lit conditions. However, when I lower the flash and aim at my subject, it gets a focus lock. This has happened a few times. Can anyone confirm or explain this?

Paul
EDR said:
From reading the reviews, I felt like one of the few that have
problem focusing the G3. But many of my indoor photos came out
blurry. At first I thought that I may have a defective camera, but
it appears through reading this forum that a few others have had
similar problems. Portrait mode seems to constantly focus on the
background rather than the subject. This is unfortunate sense that
makes the subject almost completely out of focus.

My question, should I keep the camera and experiments or is there a
better camera for indoor photos. I am considering sending it back
and replacing it with the Olympus 5050. I have not read any native
reports about the Olympus focusing ability. I wish I could
experiment with the longer before happening to make the
determination but BH photo only gives a seven-day return policy on
digital camera's.
Click to expand...
 
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