Autofocus FZ330

It isn't daft, it's the commonest problem bird photographers have.*

You have an AFS (Auto Focus Single) mode that focuses in the centre part of the photo and that might have helped (if the bird was in the centre ) but when the subject can move it should be better on AFF (flexible area) . The problem is that the next shot is always different so you either chose one or miss shots going from one to the next.

BTW, AFS works on Focus Lock so you can "lock" the focus on the subject (half press the shutter) than recompose the shot so that the subject is not in the middle.

*Just this morning three of us birders where discussing exactly that ; the best setting for birds. The consensus was that there isn't one... (not a universal best...) we had three different cameras but all with multiple focus areas/modes.

I managed to get this quail (centre AF) but completely failed several times getting the flock in flight (they kind of jump a few metres from one spot to the next...) something that I would have had a good chance on multiple zone AF. (I no time to change from one mode to the other...)

My wife has that camera. took this photo a few days ago. Most often the camera does not focus in that situation but I have the same problem too.



but it can take birds in fligh. another of her recent photos

Ariellabella said:

Hi, I’ve just bought a Panasonic LUMIX FZ330 and, whilst I intend to watch videos and learn more about the camera, on my first outing there was something I struggled with. I just put the camera on Auto to try it out and took various photos. when taking a shot of a bird in a tree, the autofocus focussed on the branches, not the bird. What could I do to get it to focus on the bird? Sorry if this sounds daft but I am a beginner.

Click to expand...

The FZ models have gotten so complicated, you might have to post on the Panasonic Forum.

You can switch to spot focus, but might have to use PASM to do it. Some use an adjustable focus box, where my old FZ had crosshairs. I don't think you can change it in full auto.

Search youtube for: graham houghton fz300 and see the webpage

Try to learn to use AF + MF option. FZ 300 may have similar menu to fz1000. For a small bird inside the branches smaller focus square or pinpoint focus might be required.

In FZ1000, I have custom settings at focus/release priority for FOCUS, AF+MF at ON, MF Assist at FOCUS (the lens barrel icon). The last function enables to display the enlarged area to focus correctly. When in AFS mode, I just half-press the shutter button and simultaneously I turn the lens barrel wheel (with the lever on the lens barrel set at focus, of course) - this shows focus peaking. When having the focus peaked, I just press the shutter button fully to take the shot. Very easy way if you intend to focus at the standard focus area. When going manually I just shift the focus at the area of interest and then go focus peaking. Mind you, when setting the lever back to AFS mode the focus area remains to be displaced. In order to correct this nuisance, you have to go back to Manual mode and press the display button (just like on fz200) and after returning to AFS mode you can see standard focus area.

I never use recomposing technique (no guarantee to keep the focus plane).

With regards,

Milan

FrancoD said:

It isn't daft, it's the commonest problem bird photographers have.*

You have an AFS (Auto Focus Single) mode that focuses in the centre part of the photo and that might have helped (if the bird was in the centre ) but when the subject can move it should be better on AFF (flexible area) . The problem is that the next shot is always different so you either chose one or miss shots going from one to the next.

BTW, AFS works on Focus Lock so you can "lock" the focus on the subject (half press the shutter) than recompose the shot so that the subject is not in the middle.

*Just this morning three of us birders where discussing exactly that ; the best setting for birds. The consensus was that there isn't one... (not a universal best...) we had three different cameras but all with multiple focus areas/modes.

I managed to get this quail (centre AF) but completely failed several times getting the flock in flight (they kind of jump a few metres from one spot to the next...) something that I would have had a good chance on multiple zone AF. (I no time to change from one mode to the other...)

Click to expand...

Thank you. I don’t suppose I will be taking many bird pictures but it’s something I need to know. I guess it’s just practice, and getting used to the camera.