Sharp Christmas Tree? See this photo!

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure. But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

When I was doing this before (inferences by others of being an idiot notwithstanding), I did notice that using spot metering works, even when standing directly in front of the tree and focusing in the middle. With both ESP and center weighted, focusing to the right or left was necessary in order to get a sharp shot. I agree with you---I have been using autofocus cameras for years, and I think this situation with the E-10 DOES leave something to be desired. Hopefully Olympus will speak up on this. K.

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

Who called you an idiot? And why?

did you see the shot of the hairless cat LOL

koo22 said:

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

Clint,

I don't think the problem has to do with just the contrast detection of the E-10. Due, I think, at least partially, to the complexity of the lens design,the E-10 uses two methods to focus. First the IR which "estimates" the distance to the subject and then moves the lens elements appropriately. Secondly, the contrast detection system moves the elements into final focus. However, the IR detection method depends a lot on the information the camera is able to obtain from the IR beam bouncing back, which of course depends on the reflective surface it is bouncing back from. If the beam is diffused or absorbed or in any way interfered with in bouncing back, the camera will be unable to set the approximate focus. In this case, it is possible that the lens elements are so far removed form their appropriate setting that the contrast detection method just can't pull them together. The fir tree with its twinkling lights and spherical shiney decorations may be confusing the IR beam which then cannot set the lens up for the contrast detection. Under most conditions the E-10 focus system works (at least for me) incredibly fast and accurately, but there are situations where it can't perform as well.That's when I switch to manual. A lot of people are criticising the E-10 for not having this or that or not doing something as well as some other cameras. One has to realize that every camera design is a set of compromises and each camera has to be evaluated on its own "over-all" merit and not compared to other cameras that have their own particular quirks. If the camera allows you to take the kind of images you want, and you can live or work around its particular failings, then that is the camera for you; if it doesn't, then there are plenty of others to choose from.
Peter

Hi, Brian. No one called ME an idiot, per se. I was referring to the post earlier that implied that we who have complaints about focusing might perhaps be "newbies" or didn't know what we were doing, and that the E-10 was out of our league. Similar reaction to when you thought I called you dumb. I think everyone's extra sensitive this time of year, and want to feel good about all this money we spent!

Hairless cat? No, where's this? I knew I missed something.... K.

Brian Mackey said:

did you see the shot of the hairless cat LOL

koo22 said:

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

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Its under he post no problems just funny..

So should I go and lay some words of ultimate wisdom on this idiot poster. We have had a good verbage stretch in almost a week.. ( just kidding )

Happy holidays, oh and Nice tree by the way. We dont have one this year. We have two year old instead LOL

koo22 said:

Hairless cat? No, where's this? I knew I missed something.... K.

Brian Mackey said:

did you see the shot of the hairless cat LOL

koo22 said:

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

Click to expand...

It may interest you to know that the Olympus C2100 also has trouble
focusing on a lighted Christmas tree - we must all be trying to record
our trees with our new cameras. The C2100 manual, however, says
explicitly that the autofocus will have trouble focusing on lights.

Darrell

I just saw it....AAACK!!

Nah, leave him alone....and happy holidays to you too, take lots of pictures of that two year old. (I had a 3-year old, a 2 year old AND an 11 mo. old at the same time.....I would NOT recommend this because now the memories are sort of a large blur!
K.

Brian Mackey said:

So should I go and lay some words of ultimate wisdom on this idiot
poster. We have had a good verbage stretch in almost a week.. (
just kidding )

Happy holidays, oh and Nice tree by the way. We dont have one this
year. We have two year old instead LOL

koo22 said:

Hairless cat? No, where's this? I knew I missed something.... K.

Brian Mackey said:

did you see the shot of the hairless cat LOL

koo22 said:

Clint said:

Many of you folks have commented on using a manual focus-- shifting
to the left or right- taking the focus there and move the camera to
include the tree.

Well, I zoomed in on the lamp shade to the left of the tree and
took my focus there. Then I pulled back into wide angle, then
snapped the photo with the Christmas tree included. It's obvious
here that the method works.

But I still stand by my opinion that the camera's focusing
algorithms (sp?) leave much to be desired. The camera ONLY has to
focus on a single element in the tree. Even if it locks in on an
internal branch or external branch or on a decoration at that point
in the center of the image- we should still get a reasonable focus
automatically. At the distance of 15-20 feet from the camera, even
an average focus would be suitable. And I'm making sure that the
center weight is on a front most branch.

Others have posted that this may be a contrast focus problem. I
agree. On a smaller portion of a branch, there is not enough
dynamic range to give the system a chance to internally measure.
But this is not a problem with some other auto focus designs- but
it is with the E10. Other cameras may apparently resolve contrast
dynamics better than this one does.

--Clint

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