Focusing to infinity

[x3ro]

I hear this alot when reading about the settings someone used to take a particular picture..

How do you do it? I havea panasonic FZ5.

Thanks :)

[genece]

On a FZ20 choosing Landscape mode seems to work..
Also on the FZ20 you can use the manual focus switch to focus with the lens cap on, probably some way to do that with the focus lock switch on the FZ5.

[cosmicnut]

if your not using a filter or anything on the front of the camera that autofocus can lock onto, switch the autofocus to spot mode and put the spot in the sky just above the scene you are shooting and half press the shutter. This should make the autofocus lock to infinity. The problem you'll have is the exposure will lock as well. if it's wrong, use auto exposure, point at the scene and half press, check the settings it uses. Switch to manual mode and set the same values you saw in auto and follow the first bit.
Bit of a work around but I've used this on all the cameras I've had (including APS)

[Honest Gaza]

On a FZ20 choosing Landscape mode seems to work..
Also on the FZ20 you can use the manual focus switch to focus with the lens cap on, probably some way to do that with the focus lock switch on the FZ5.

Gene, you've totally confused me here. If I'm understanding you correctly, I can leave the lens cap on, and try focusing in Manual mode ? Surely all I will see is "black" and not be able to see or focus on anything.

[genece]

Yes I understand that maybe a fz5 can not do that but I thought it had a focus lock switch. ( maybe not or maybe it does not work the same as a FZ20)
On the FZ20 if you leave the cap on and push the focus switch on the lens to MF and then push it down to get a focus lock... since it can not see anything it picks infinity.
And I should have said you must first zoom to the amount of zoom you will use for that shot.

That just may not work with a FZ5.

If not then landscape mode or the system of picking something distant to lock on should work. But if you zoom it changes.

Maybe someone with a FZ5 will know if it or another way works with a FZ5.

[Honest Gaza]

Thanks for the clarification Gene. I should also clarify that mine is the FZ-20 and that my question was directed at the FZ-20. I did not know that this was how you focused to infinity.

[genece]

Neither did I but someone posted that as a solution, and I have tried it several times and it does seem to work