Focus Problems? I have found that the auto focus will only focus on the closest object in the center of the screen. If there is a small twig infront of a bird for example you cannot get the bird in focus without moving or switching to this cameras horrid manual focus. Is anyone else having this problem. Overall the autofocus is slow and innacurate compaired to my FZ50.Has anyone tried the firmware updates and have the made any significant changes?Cheers Focus Problems? I have found that the auto focus will only focus on the closest object in the center of the screen. If there is a small twig infront of a bird for example you cannot get the bird... » Read More Focus Problems? I have found that the auto focus will only focus on the closest object in the center of the screen. If there is a small twig infront of a bird for example you cannot get the bird in focus without moving or switching to this cameras horrid manual focus. Is anyone else having this problem. Overall the autofocus is slow and innacurate compaired to my FZ50.Has anyone tried the firmware updates and have the made any significant changes?Cheers « Show Less
1243311
I agree Ryan the autofocus will often focus on the closest object, however doing what Rolla suggests may help. The Manual focus is a bit cumbersome, but can be quite fast if you use the left and right buttons on the 4 way pad. One of the reasons I'm buying the fz150 is that the new side lever arrangement can be used as a manual focus lever. It should be much better.
69319
The auto focus on this camera is very fast. Put the camera in Spot Focus and put the item you want in focus in the center of the screen under the +.
996369
I tried my camera right before answering your question. If there is decent light, it auto focuses, but sometimes it takes a little while. You can zoom as you film, but it focuses faster and with more clarity when using the lower optical zoom range. I still love this camera... However, if you decide to buy it, make sure you get the fastest memory card for HD digital cameras (it only take the tiny ones), otherwise it is too slow taking pictures.
1278589
That is not correct. You were probably in manual focus, or someone setup some strange focus points. I use this camara for filming hunting, and the focus must change constantly and have never had the issue you decribe. BTW love this camera. Great quality, but cheap enough that I dont feel I need to baby it every minute.
1609943
Do you have your camera set to auto? The camera needs to be set to a manual setting. On my Nikon, I have an M (manual) setting next the the auto, landscape, etc... Double check which setting you have it on.You have to do some of the focusing on the telescope, too. The same way you would focus without the camera is how you would focus your camera. We had to look all of this up, too.
620684
I found that when you use the 2x teleconverter with any lens and using the Nikon d40 the camera will not auto focus. This makes it had to focus manually.
1864050
I have not had any problems with the camera not taking the picture at all, however, focusing sometimes takes a relatively long time, especially when using the zoom. If I use the zoom in less than bright conditions, it sometimes takes a very long time to focus and shoot.
2184216
I am looking for a camera of this range. My short list is like this Panasonic FZ 100, FZ40, Fuji Film HS10, Kodak Easyshare Z 981 and Olympus SP 800 UZ. Basically I am looking for a camera useful for birdwatching - distant shots, high optical zoom, faster speed etc. can you pl help me in selection. e mail haridas53@gmail.com
342901
I as well have a focus problem, I have to bump the zoom a bit when I first start the camera. Not aware of any solutions and am looking for a warranty fix.
250135
I'm having this issue, too. Camera seems to get confused and the whole frame becomes blurry rather than focusing on the one object. It takes several attempts to register what I'm trying to do, and then it's too late - opportunity has passed and subject has moved. Time to really study my manual I guess or maybe this is a shortcoming with this camera.
871930
You need to use auto focus if you don't want to manually focus in and out on close ups or long distance shots. It sounds like you zoomed to fast and it couldn't adjust fast enough or you have it set to some weird manual setting. This happened to me that's why I am trying to offer advice.
101126
It just doesnt seem like any of my pictures are focused well and that includes ones taken on a tripod with IS turned off of course. I keep reading and trying everything to no avail. I may contact Olympus and see if something is wrong with the camera. I entered a question about my problems in a forum and the responses were so cruel that I wont ever go back to that forum. There is a review that says the E520 pics can be soft... does that mean out of focus too?
1642451
I assume you've tried auto focus at different legnths. If unsuccessful you definitely need to return the lens. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
220778
Oh! It happened in very bright sun in my backyard. I noticed it during night shot as well. When I zoomed in on a street lamp in the night about 50 yards away, it went out of focus and stayed that way. Very strange focusing system. I tried all the AF settings, but the result was the same. In the tele mode, it looks like this system has some serious focusing issue.
142359
seems to be an epidemic. same problem no autofocus. if I use the zoom to get in focus then pics come out ok but not good.
379181
With mine I have to be ridiculously close to the subject, like maybe an inch away. Try putting your lens closer and closer to what you're photographing until it is in focus before trying auto focus.
1037491
To focus, you have to loosen the tiny phillips head screw, then turn the lens in and out for focus. It's hard to get it right, and once you have birds in the nest you can't really fiddle with it until they are gone. But try to get as far away from the actual nest as possible. (I was only able to see the moms shoulder as she built the nest on the same side as the camera. So go for the roof if you can.)
990979
Do you have a fast SDHC memory card in the camera? Have you tied switching from continuous auto-focus to single auto-focus and from multi-zone focus to single center weighted?