coolpix 5000 out-of-focus problem...

Just wondering if anyone of you encounters this same problem I have. The only time I was able to take good, quality pics was when the camera was set to the "A" or automatic mode. The focus was sharp and pics were superb. But the problem with automatic mode is that the indoor pictures sometimes turn out a little dark or underexposed, even when I adjust the white balance. I tried to circumvent this problem by using the mannual mode through adjustment of the aperture and shutter speed. I understand that when shutter speed set to slower speed, a tripod may be required. But using the mannual mode "1, 2 or 3", the pictures always come out a little blurry and out-of-focus even when tripod is used... I have upgraded my firmware to the latest version 1.07, but that did not seem to help. What am I doing wrong?

a 5000 so I don't feel qualified to answer, but there are many here that do so let's bump your question back up front.
Jarrell
....

Elbert,
I note that this your first post - welcome to NTF!

Are you aware of the EV+ - button & dial that works in both 'A" & user set mode? If not, experiment & post back whether this improves the lightness/darkness issue you are having.

The purpose of the WB setting is not to adjust light/dark, but to a small degree, I suppose it could.

You don't say whether flash is used in the indoor 'A' shots that are too dark. If so, there is a menu setting that increases flash power.

I realize I have not even touched on your focus question, but for starters, play with the above suggestions & post back results & I'm sure a few others will chime in.
Good luck!

--
Myron



Coolpix 5000

Myron,

Thanks for your reply. I did play with the EV+ - button... That was what I meant. I did not mean the white balance... I thought they were the same thing. Anyway, I find it not helpful at all; I barely notice any difference whether the setting is at +2.0 or -2.0.

All the photos I took indoor were done with flash set to "always on". This built-in flash behaves very erratically!! Sometimes it is very bright and sometimes very dim! Very frustrating indeed! I do realize not to block the photocell sensor just next to the shutter-release button.

How do you increase the flash power?? I wasn't able to find the info on the owner's manual...

Myron Nyquist said:

Elbert,
I note that this your first post - welcome to NTF!
Are you aware of the EV+ - button & dial that works in both 'A" &
user set mode? If not, experiment & post back whether this
improves the lightness/darkness issue you are having.
The purpose of the WB setting is not to adjust light/dark, but to a
small degree, I suppose it could.
You don't say whether flash is used in the indoor 'A' shots that
are too dark. If so, there is a menu setting that increases flash
power.
I realize I have not even touched on your focus question, but for
starters, play with the above suggestions & post back results & I'm
sure a few others will chime in.
Good luck!

--
Myron



Coolpix 5000

Click to expand...

... in the English manual shows the settings.

Be aware that the internal flash has a limited 'reach' compared to add-on external ones. Typically with the 5000, your first flash efforts look really bad 'til you get the hang of it.
Post back results. - I'll look up this thread tomorrow.

--
Myron



Coolpix 5000

Keep your finger ENTIRELY away from the sensor area. Even reflected light off your finger can mess up a shot.
--
Myron



Coolpix 5000

EV + - does not work with flash. If you want your photos brighter, try adjusting the flash intensity.

At night, also try ISO 200. A bit more noise, but still bearable.

Also, make sure you do not block the sensor with your right fingers.

elbert said:

Myron Nyquist said:

Elbert,
I note that this your first post - welcome to NTF!
Are you aware of the EV+ - button & dial that works in both 'A" &
user set mode? If not, experiment & post back whether this
improves the lightness/darkness issue you are having.
The purpose of the WB setting is not to adjust light/dark, but to a
small degree, I suppose it could.
You don't say whether flash is used in the indoor 'A' shots that
are too dark. If so, there is a menu setting that increases flash
power.
I realize I have not even touched on your focus question, but for
starters, play with the above suggestions & post back results & I'm
sure a few others will chime in.
Good luck!

--
Myron



Coolpix 5000

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi Elbert,

I love my CP BUT the internal flash on the 5000 is not it's best feature. I played with the ISO, A-priority and the Speedlight Opt/variable power settings and determined there was only ONE way to get good indoor shots at distances greater than 10' - buy a speedlight. I opted for the SB-50DX and have been very happy. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if someone comes up with a BETTER way to solve your problem.

Steve

--
Nikon CP5000 / SB50DX, Sony FD88, Paintshop Pro 7
http://www.pbase.com/steve_kc

Are the shots completely out of focus or could it be that it is focusing on the bacground or something else?

For a long time I was taking flash shots in user modes 1 through 3. I had to set aperture and flash output to get a good shot. I tried auto a little while ago and found that the pictures are easier to take and better exposed than what I was able to get myself. When taking flash shots I now throw the camera in auto. Still have to play with all the settings to see which setting is throwing it off. Might be that I set the camera for 100 asa, not sure.

A while ago I posted this thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=4200308

I took many shots in auto and manual and the auto's seemed to come out better for this shot. I do not use auto mode often and I usually get good sharp shots, so I can't say that this is the norm. I will have to play with this later to see if I can recreate it. I'll let you know.

Ken.

elbert said:

Just wondering if anyone of you encounters this same problem I
have. The only time I was able to take good, quality pics was when
the camera was set to the "A" or automatic mode. The focus was
sharp and pics were superb. But the problem with automatic mode is
that the indoor pictures sometimes turn out a little dark or
underexposed, even when I adjust the white balance. I tried to
circumvent this problem by using the mannual mode through
adjustment of the aperture and shutter speed. I understand that
when shutter speed set to slower speed, a tripod may be required.
But using the mannual mode "1, 2 or 3", the pictures always come
out a little blurry and out-of-focus even when tripod is used... I
have upgraded my firmware to the latest version 1.07, but that did
not seem to help. What am I doing wrong?

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5

I had the same exposure problem with my 1st CP5000, the problem was not resolved till I exchanged for another unit. Initially I thought I just had to play with the settings as well. I think my first camera had some bad electronic in it.

Do use the histogram on the screen and check the exposure, low reading should be a good indicator that the electronic, i.e. light meter, is bad.

You should try to exchange for another one if that's possible.

I have been a loyal Nikon SLR users for many years, but I am concern with the quality of the Coolpix. Don't get me wrong, my CP5000 is taking beautiful pictures now but I will be weary of taking it to a long trip. This camera seems too fragile for any serious use.

G'luck!
--
Macintosh and Windows PC are like BMW and Hyundai. They both will
get you point A to point B, but one will get you there smoother and nicer.

Kevin Lo said:

Don't get me wrong, my
CP5000 is taking beautiful pictures now but I will be weary of
taking it to a long trip. This camera seems too fragile for any
serious use.

Click to expand...

Nonsense!
--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5

But that doesn't help your problem Elbert, does it? ;-)

Try this. Select a user (all to default to get started), select Metering (either Spot or Center-Weighted), then scroll to the Focus ---> Area Mode> AUTO ----> Auto-Focus Mode----> Single AF
See if this helps.

PS About the Speedlight (like someone mentioned)... I personally find it useless, I absolutely never ever saw any differences in shots. I always wondered if mine was defective... maybe someone can enlighten me... ;-)

Ken. said:

For a long time I was taking flash shots in user modes 1 through 3.
I had to set aperture and flash output to get a good shot. I tried
auto a little while ago and found that the pictures are easier to
take and better exposed than what I was able to get myself. When
taking flash shots I now throw the camera in auto. Still have to
play with all the settings to see which setting is throwing it off.
Might be that I set the camera for 100 asa, not sure.

A while ago I posted this thread:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1007&message=4200308

I took many shots in auto and manual and the auto's seemed to come
out better for this shot. I do not use auto mode often and I
usually get good sharp shots, so I can't say that this is the norm.
I will have to play with this later to see if I can recreate it.
I'll let you know.

Ken.

elbert said:

Just wondering if anyone of you encounters this same problem I
have. The only time I was able to take good, quality pics was when
the camera was set to the "A" or automatic mode. The focus was
sharp and pics were superb. But the problem with automatic mode is
that the indoor pictures sometimes turn out a little dark or
underexposed, even when I adjust the white balance. I tried to
circumvent this problem by using the mannual mode through
adjustment of the aperture and shutter speed. I understand that
when shutter speed set to slower speed, a tripod may be required.
But using the mannual mode "1, 2 or 3", the pictures always come
out a little blurry and out-of-focus even when tripod is used... I
have upgraded my firmware to the latest version 1.07, but that did
not seem to help. What am I doing wrong?

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5

Click to expand...

If I did not experience as much problem as I had with my first CP5k, then I would say I was speaking nonsense as well.

Just look at postings by other members on this forum, Nikon really does have quality issues with the CP5k.

Ken. said:

Kevin Lo said:

Don't get me wrong, my
CP5000 is taking beautiful pictures now but I will be weary of
taking it to a long trip. This camera seems too fragile for any
serious use.

Click to expand...

Nonsense!
--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5

Click to expand...

--
Macintosh and Windows PC are like BMW and Hyundai. They both will
get you point A to point B, but one will get you there smoother and nicer.

In everything there are bad apples, be it cameras, cars, nikon, sony. etc. I have been on these forums for over a year and I see no more issues with the 5000 than other cameras.

Kevin Lo said:

If I did not experience as much problem as I had with my first
CP5k, then I would say I was speaking nonsense as well.

Just look at postings by other members on this forum, Nikon really
does have quality issues with the CP5k.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5