Why the image I took not clearly?

[nguyentmdt]

Hi all. I'm a newbie and I haven't known how to control my camera yet.
Many pictures I took were blurred like this, but with the distance <1m, it's clearly. Can anyone tell me why and how to fix it?

I used auto mode, AF, Hyperfocal Distance = ∞.

Thanks for your help.

Nguyen

 

[Blow-in]

The blur is probably caused by a very slow shutter speed rather than a lack of focus. Can you post some pictures with the EXIF data please so that we can take a look? To do this use the post a reply button then browse to find the picture and then hit the add the file before submit. You will need to reduce the file size to 1024 for landscape or 900 for portrait.

Richard

 

[Wiener]

The blur is probably caused by a very slow shutter speed rather than a lack of focus.
Richard

I agree, especially as there is no point in the picture which is any more or less sharp than any other. Very likely slow shutter blur. Try a high ISO or flash and try it again?
All the best,
Andy

 

[waloszek]

Sorry, Richard and Andy -- I disagree. Motion blur would show some sort of "motion" in the image (that is "lines" instead of points). For me, the image looks as if it were taken with a sort of close-up setting (e.g. the closest distance that the lens allows). I also do not understand what "AF, Hyperfocal Distance = ∞" means -- this reads like a contradiction to me.
We need to see the EXIF data anyway...
Best regards, Gerd

 

[Wiener]

Sorry, Richard and Andy -- I disagree. Motion blur would show some sort of "motion" in the image (that is "lines" instead of points). For me, the image looks as if it were taken with a sort of close-up setting (e.g. the closest distance that the lens allows). I also do not understand what "AF, Hyperfocal Distance = ∞" means -- this reads like a contradiction to me.
We need to see the EXIF data anyway...
Best regards, Gerd

You could be right Gerd! The EXIF is the key to the mystery though...

 

[waloszek]

I agree, but note that distance settings are buried somewhere in the proprietary EXIF data. Pavel and I "demystified" this some time ago (http://www.waloszek.de/gxr_char_e.php#exif_dist >> valid for the GXR only, but it looks as if other Ricoh cameras use the same scheme).
Best regards, Gerd

 

[thelps]

"AF, Hyperfocal Distance = ∞" means -- this reads like a contradiction to me.

the only mentions of infinity in the GRD IV manual relate to Snap set to Infinity or Focus is set to infinity so I am guessing its either one of these.

 

[streetshooter]

Convert it to B&W and it will sing anyway....

it does look like it's set on a close distance....real close....

 

[nguyentmdt]

Thanks for ur replies. This is the picture with EXif data:

 

[nguyentmdt]

But with the short distance, the picture is ok.

 

[Blow-in]

The EXIF data does help a bit. I think the first thing to look at is the focus mode....try Spot or Multi AF to see whether this sorts it (you may have snap or manual selected at the moment with a very short focus distance).

On the first image the shutter speed was very slow so that image may be blurred as a result - you were using program mode and the camera did select the widest aperture available in the low light but I suspect you have the ISO set manually or limited to a very low value...try using auto or auto hi (with a 800 ISO limit) to see if things improve.

Lastly, you may want to set the date in your camera....the EXIF thinks it was 1 Jan 2011 when you took the shots.

Once we've sorted out the focus issue, we can work on a few other tips to make the most of the camera....program mode is OK but a bit limited if you want total control.

Richard

 

[waloszek]

I tried to check the EXIF data with exiftools to find the RicohSubdirs that contain all the information on the distance settings, but these were missing. The list started with the following warnings:

gerds-macbook-pro:~ gerd$ exiftool -a -u -g1 /usr/2.jpg
---- ExifTool ----
ExifTool Version Number : 9.03
Warning : [minor] Possibly incorrect maker notes offsets (fix by -116?)
Warning : Invalid RicohSubdir data

Probably, the manufacturer dependent data was destroyed when the image was resized. All we need for a closer analysis is the original image...

Best regards, Gerd

P.S.: A number of posters, including me, noted that distance seems to have been set to a very close value. We only need to know why...

 

[thelps]

You could try setting the dial to Rotate the mode dial to "Auto", this is the mode between P mode and MY1.
See Page 18 of the manual - http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/support/manual/grd4.html

This will 'force' the GRD IV to AF and you will need to do the half press to lock AF then full press to take the picture.
Should this produce an in focus image in good light, if it does then you can have some confidence that the camera is ok and working.
If it does then you can explore AF settings in PASM modes to get the most from your camera.

 

[Eskimo]

If you are sure that there is no motion while taking the picture and the focus it set to spot, it could be that your camera is defective.
I had exactly the same problem when I bought my grdiv two month ago.
I was focusing to a spot in the distance, but the picture was sharp at ca. 1m. Even when changing the focus to be fixed at 5m... after some minutes I was able to hear a faint click inside the camera and from then on, the focus was fast and accurate on objects it was failing one minute ago. After some minutes shut off, the problem was the same again.
The camera was repaired by Ricoh under warranty. They changed the senor unit and now everything is fine.

Hope it helps...

Best regards Eskimo

 

[AlbertTRAL]

The blur is probably caused by a very slow shutter speed rather than a lack of focus.
Richard

I agree, especially as there is no point in the picture which is any more or less sharp than any other. Very likely slow shutter blur...
Andy

+1.
Having a look at the picture and now at the exif, I think it is a motion blur. The most far away lights of the scene, the ones in the building, are not round, all have the same motion outline and direction (in diagonal); little motion, but it is there. Having a look at the exif, the shot has been taken at 0,5seg. The rule of thumb says we should not go below 1/lens focal. 1/28=0.03seg. This is almost 4 stops slower!! The VC, if it is on, could compensate for, at least 2 or 3, and the leaf shutter and your "low shaking hand" could compensate for another one. This means we are just at the frontier and that is why the blur is, let's say, minimal...

 

[nguyentmdt]

Thank you for your help. I turned off macro, changed from Spot shot to Multi shot, the picture's not blurred like before.
Thanks all,
Nguyen.

 

[AldPixto]

Perhaps after you look at the LCD and before you press the shutter button you have accidentally pressed FN2 and switched the focus from AF to MF or Snap.