TZ3 Focusing Problems Anyone?

[Engineeringtech]

Hi!

Bought my first digital in May, a TZ3K. Have used other people's cameras with no problems. My camera just doesn't focus properly. You push the button until the green dot appears and picture comes into focus. Then you snap the picture. The camera lens always moves PAST The point of focus and then takes the shot. Doesn't matter if I have the focus assist light on or off. Or shake reduction on or off, or macro on or off. Or free hand or on a tripod. Problem is particularly bad if I have the focus assist light off. But I see this problem no matter how much ambient light I have.

The problem is so bad, I haven't used the camera more than three or four times since I bought it. I emalied Panasonic tech support about 5 times but no one answers. Beach Camera will not take it back.

What am I doing wrong? This camera was $350. Too much to sit in the closet.

[genece]

First thing, move outdoors into good light and see if things improve.
It is not the camera will not work indoors .......its just to get you accustom to the camera.

I do not own a TZ 3 so these suggestions may not pertain....
but if the camera has contiuous auto focus .....turn it off.......it does not do what you expect it to do.

and the TZ3 has 3 focus modes 3 pt -----9 pt and spot.......try spot for a while, you have very little control over what the camera chooses to focus on if you use the other 2 modes. do not worry about things like the focus assist light.....pretty near worthless.
And while I do not know for sure but most cameras have a minimum focus distance......which may be somewhere about 7ft at full zoom......you may be too near the subject.

[Engineeringtech]

Gene,

Thanks for replying. I lost my post and couldn't find it. Otherwise I would have read your comments sooner. We have no sunlight now, but I will try this first chance I get. It is true however, that I have noticed the biggest problem indoors and shorter ranges. But I would have thought the TZ3 could focus at short distances (less than 2ft.) with the macro mode. I haven't yet even tried full zoom. I am shooting wide angle.

[genece]

I am not familiar with the TZ3.....but if its like most of the other Panasonics.....it can focus in Macro mode at about 1 inch but not at full zoom........but that should be addressed in the manual