F30 focusing problem?

[cgguy]

I bought a F30 to replace my Lumix FX9 and while I was taking pictures of the Lumix to post on ebay I noticed that the F30 had a really hard time focusing accurately in macro mode. Only about 1/5 of the photos were in focus. It wasn't an issue of it hunting for focus, it seemed like it would specifically go out of focus and then take the picture. Very frustrating. Could it be that the F30 has problems focusing on shiny objects? I also found that it couldn't focus closer than 10cm, though the spec's state 5cm. I tried both multi and center focusing. I didn't notice focusing problems out of macro mode, and using macro to snap close-up pictures of the manual didn't exhibit this problem.

Anyone else see something like this?

[dotbalm]

Page 31 of manual says very shiny subjects are not suitable for autofocus.

As far as macro focusing range, according to the manual:
wide: 5 cm - 80 cm
tele: 30 cm - 80 cm

exception: flower and text modes, which select macro automatically:

w: 5 cm - 2m
t: 30 cm - 2m

flash: 30 cm - 80 cm

I haven't tried photographing shiny objects, but I have noticed in non-macro mode that the vertical plane behind my subject tends to be in focus though my subject is slightly not. I regret I may have to learn the nuances of this camera in that and other ways, assuming it is the tool and not the mechanic. I have not experienced this with other cameras, I get reliable focusing. Not presenting details here because not ready to ask for help, need to get more aquainted with it and find my go-to settings for the contexts I shoot in.

[sjseto]

Are you taking the shots hand-held? Because if the camera isn't on a tripod or something steady, your hands could be moving the camera in between the time it takes to achieve focus and the moment the picture is actually taken. That could result in an out-of-focus picture.

Stephanie

[FishFace]

Just to jump in, if you try to focus on a shiny object, what can happen is that the camera will try to focus on whatever the shiny object is reflecting - e.g. if you look in a mirror, or even something less shiny, you can force your eyes to focus either on the mirror surface or on what's in it. Obviously, the light has to travel further to reach what's "in" the mirror, so the focus will be off.

I'd try taking photographs of something at an equivalent distance, but that are less shiny.

[cgguy]

I found that -- at least with my camera -- it has a hard time with macro focusing in low light. If I shoot macro in bright daylight I don't see any focusing issues -- it's spot on. When I try to take photos with the macro and room lights I see the problems I described above. Adding a photo light helped some.

[sla]

Are you sure this is not camera shake? If shutter speed is longer than about 1/80s, your photos may be blurry because of shake.

[sla]

I forgot one more: Have you turned on autofocus lamp in the camera?
OR if the object is shiny, maybe it's better to turn autofocus lamp off?

[tim11]

Did you press the Macro symbol?