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GR Focus Distance

reverb

reverb

New Member
OK, so I love my GR, and it takes the best outdoor scene pictures away from a DSLR. The new highspeed AF firmware update is great, and the simple pleasure of using the camera remains supreme.

But...

I cannot quite get the hang of the focus distance. Sometimes, when attempting a portrait for example, the image is just not focused. Even in P mode. Even bigger pictures, with real depth, sometimes have a really blurry set of images. But I'm not sure it's a consistent issue. I wonder whether I should be using the Macro mode more?

Have others had this experience? Is it just a learning issue? I would welcome others' experience and guidance on focus distance on the GR, what works and what doesn't. whether the type of focus used (spot, multi, etc) makes much difference.

I've tried all sorts, but can't quite get the answer.
 
Sorry if I'm telling to suck eggs at any point -

First of all could you post some examples with EXIF data, aperture, shutter speed, ISO.

Could you tell us what AF mode you think you were using

If you weren't aware there is an option for focus snap on full shutter press - if this is enabled and you press the shutter fully down, without holding it at half-press to focus, it will automatically snap to the predefined focus distance.This will ignore whatever AF attempts you might try to make, and if you are not expecting it could be the reason for out of focus subject.

Macro is require for face shots to fill the frame - understand you will get heavy distortion similar to fisheye. If you're getting more of the body in the frame, macro mode is not required.
 
thanks Dan. Nothing to hand to post on here as I delete anything I'm not keeping. However, it's not a shutter speed issue - I've tried this in a number of ways. I usually use spot focus, but even at slow aperture (and decent shutter speed), some things close to me are out of focus. I'll post next time it happens!

The macro tip sums up where I thought I was heading, so many thanks.

thanks for taking the time to comment.
 
Sounds like you're close, since you're considering macro mode. And you're using spot focus. So are you focusing and recomposing, such that you're moving the camera out of focus? If so, try moving your AF point so you don't have to recompose. That's all I can think of without knowing more. Focus accuracy is not a GR issue at all.

John
 
Sometime later.....I think I found the problem. I hadn't realised the GR had no in-built stablilisation. I'm fairly sure the blurry photos were a result of 'quick' reaction pics (where I would be used to the less-sensitive shake reduction found in other cameras. If I'm steady and compose properly, all is well.

I may however need to look for another enthusiast compact for less careful pictures. The MX-1 looks interesting....
 
Why not set an auto iso high in one of your my settings then specify the shutter speed that forces the camera to up the iso? This way you could be sure of the minimum shutter speed in those snatched moments.

Richard
 
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