I am getting so fustrated as I have issues focussing. I have a Panasonic FZ80 and shoot in aperture mode which is mostly ok. Regularly, although I have changed nothing, the subject is out of focus and the background is in focus. This happens mostly when I take shots of birds and have to zoom. All I can do then is to keep on zooming in and out and it might come right. What am I doing wrong? Should I be shooting in AF or MF? In Jan I started the Emma Davies online course which has brought me a long way. Can any of you wonderful photographers please put me on the right path, I would really appreciate it very much 😊
you need to become aquainted with your camera's different focus settings, sorry i am no expert but these pages may help and someone else may be able to explain better how to use them...
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dc-fz80_en_adv_om.pdf#p84
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dc-fz80_en_adv_om.pdf#p98
It happens to me sometimes with my TZ70 and often the problem is that when I used the camera the last time I shot macros and forgot to switch the focusing mode back to AF.
I have had this issue. I often select Aperture Priority and then set my zoom lens on to manual focus. When I leave it on autofocus in AP, it often focuses on the wrong thing.
Assuming nothing is actually wrong with the camera...? I personally switch to spot focus (one dot in the middle) and use lock focus to keep that focus while I reframe...assuming your camera does that.
@annied@kali66@helstor@casablanca@quietpurplehaze@houser934 Thanks so much for your prompt response and help. No, I do not have it on spot focus! I will definitely try it. I will also have to check about the lock focus. Thanks so much :-)
@quietpurplehaze Thanks so much Hazel, it's been driving me nuts! Unfortunately none of my friends take photos, such a pity. I will sit at my bird feeder today and check it out ;-)
Just glad to help - my own tecchie knowledge is limited as I tend to learn what I need to learn to do what I want to do - if that makes any sense. Good luck!
@quietpurplehaze You were spot on about the spot Hazel, many thanks. The issue that crops up now is that sometimes only the background is in focus 🤔 and there is a small red camera flashing on the screen! Any idea what that is? Have a great day 😊
I do not have that red flashing camera on my a6000 but does it mean you do not have proper focus? Maybe it is the focal length a problem. I don't shoot many birds in flight as you describe but for stationary subjects I often use 50mm focal length. Is your background close to your subject, causing the camera to spot focus on that rather than the subject - happens to me from time to time. Sorry to be a bit woolly!!
@quietpurplehaze Thanks for trying Hazel, the birds are stationary and the background quite far away blowing in the wind. I will go through the manual again and see what I find 😉
I am having this same problem with my Nikon. Reading everyone's comments has given me some stuff to check. Maybe a setting was changed. I was trying to learn how to do manual focus on my camera, but it's very complicated, nothing like the old analog cameras where you just turn the lens until it's focused.
@homeschoolmom I too am just starting and yes, it is very complicated to get everything right. I tried Manual, but feel more comfortable on Aperture. Good luck ;-)
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ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dc-fz80_en_adv_om.pdf#p84
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/camera/om/dc-fz80_en_adv_om.pdf#p98
I guess you are using spot focus?
Diana, I think you will find that spot focus is the key!
Just glad to help - my own tecchie knowledge is limited as I tend to learn what I need to learn to do what I want to do - if that makes any sense. Good luck!
I do not have that red flashing camera on my a6000 but does it mean you do not have proper focus? Maybe it is the focal length a problem. I don't shoot many birds in flight as you describe but for stationary subjects I often use 50mm focal length. Is your background close to your subject, causing the camera to spot focus on that rather than the subject - happens to me from time to time. Sorry to be a bit woolly!!