Autofocus focusing on background

[Dragonfly_Misty]

Hi! I have a G5, and I have noticed quite a bit that if I use auto focus, My pictures will have the PERSON blurry and the background just as clear as it can be! It is sooo aggravating to me, b/c at the time I take the shot, I can't tell it did that, anyone know WHY it's doing so?? Here are a few examples...It happens inside and outside, so I wouldn't think it was my light source?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mistymoffitt/IMG_4023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mistymoffitt/IMG_4034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/mistymoffitt/IMG_3229.jpg

Thanks for any help you can give!!

Misty

[ejwebb]

I used to have a G3 and had similar issues. In many cases it depends on where you are placing the focus point in the scene. The G series cameras have a little trouble with autofocus in low light or with subjects that lack vertical contrast or are moving (even slightly).

This seemed to be a real problem for me taking kid pictures - indoors especially - because it combines low light, low contrast, and usually a moving subject. The three combined meant that I had to often move the focus point to the edge of the face to get the contrast needed to focus. This often resulted in the camera focusing other than where I wanted it to. It is especially frustrating because it is often hard to tell on the LCD when this happens!

I eventually ended up using "hyperfocal distance" to set a few custom settings for the camera that I used to take pictures of the kids indoors. Basically you set the camera for an aperture that ensures everything within a certain distance is "in focus". I think I used f/5 or so in aperture priority mode at ISO 50 and got pretty good results. I'm sure you can find more info on this if you search for "hyperfocal settings G5" or something similar in this forum - or I can post a link when I am at my home computer.

It was mainly this frustration that moved me from the G-series forum to the EOS forum a few months ago! :lol:

[ejwebb]

Also, looking at the pictures, you may also simply be too close to the subject for it to get proper focus - check the camera specs to see how far the minimum focus distance is.

Could be wrong but just a thought :?

[s00pcan]

The camera doesn't include closeups in the normal auto focus range. You have to turn it on macro mode for it to do that. I second using hyperfocal though. (F5.6 focused to 5' at full wide angle)

[gcogger]

I also had these issues with my G3. What annoyed me the most is that Canon state (and have informed me by e-mail) that the G3 WILL NOT focus on anything outside the focus rectangle. It was pretty clear from my images and, it seems, from yours that it will focus wherever it feels like!

I too have moved on to a 300D, and now have far less of an urge to smash the camera into tiny pieces;-)

[ScottK]

Keep in mind that if the subject is outside the focus range, or can't focus for any other reason (such as all those already listed), the camera has to focus somewhere. It's quite possible that in each of these examples, it had a problem focusing at the center, and just picked a focus that happened to put the background into focus. And, looking at those shots, I'm not sure on all of them that the background is necessarily perfectly in focus, it's just better focused than the subject.

[Duke107]

I have a G2 and let me tell you, at first I was ready to throw this cam across the room but I decided to learn what was going on. First as someone already stated, you may be too close in one or more of those photos, you need to learn this cam and if taking a picture at close range ( I thing 2-3 feet ) turn on the macro feature and presto a perfect focus. Second you need to learn that if your subject moves closer or further from when you got a focus lock you unfortunatyly have to release the first position shutter and relock your focus at the new distance. Yes it does mean you are going to lose some spontanious photos but thats the nature of the beast. Thirdly, make sure you are focusing on the subject and not aiming the cam slightly to your background. Lastly, turn the cam off of AUTO and set it onTv and set the shutter to 100 or 125, I seem to get the best photos of kids with that setting. I have mastered this G2 and now only 10 to 15 percent of my kids photos are out of focus (keeping in mind that kids are always moving) The cam is very capable of capturing very crisp photos of kids but you need to understand this perticular series of cameras. I too am going to move to a 10D or something newer if released in the near future.

[ejwebb]

Here is the link regarding hyperfocal distance with the G3 which should also be applicable with the G5.

http://www.marcjutras.com/ehyperfocal.html

Keep in mind that you have to use the widest zoom setting with this or you quickly lose "depth of field" or accurate focus distance. This was not normally a problem indoors with the kids anyway. Hope it helps!

[joeyjoeyjoey]

Dragonfly_Misty:

When you are focusing on your subject is the center square on the subject you want in focus and when you press the shutter half way to lock focus is it green? If its yellow either move the camera further from the subject or adjust the wide/tele selection and try again till you get the center square green.

Thats the whole trick to this is to get that center square green on your subject. Once green keep the shutter depressed halfway and compose your shot. It take some work as kids move quite a bit :D

Here is a tip I use with my kid. Since she moves so much I get the focus lock (turning the square green) then hit the manual focus button that way its focus on that distant only so I can just keep on shooting without the af lag. Of course it doest work if you or your subject changes distance :P

Best of luck!

http://project.ratedr.com/albums/userpics/10001/CRW_4655.sized.jpg

[Andy_T]

Misty ...

some old thread with very informative explanation how the G series focusing works:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17583

Joeyjoeyjoey ... I just love that limited DOF picture!
Did you use Macro mode?

Best regards,
Andy

[4walls]

Dragonfly_Misty:

When you are focusing on your subject is the center square on the subject you want in focus and when you press the shutter half way to lock focus is it green? If its yellow either move the camera further from the subject or adjust the wide/tele selection and try again till you get the center square green.

Thats the whole trick to this is to get that center square green on your subject. Once green keep the shutter depressed halfway and compose your shot. It take some work as kids move quite a bit :D

Here is a tip I use with my kid. Since she moves so much I get the focus lock (turning the square green) then hit the manual focus button that way its focus on that distant only so I can just keep on shooting without the af lag. Of course it doest work if you or your subject changes distance :P

Best of luck!


I use that MF method too... works well if the situation allows you to do it. I usually set about f/5.6 and pre-focus, then hit MF and shoot away. Works if all the action is in the same area. (Did parade shots that way).

[ejwebb]

I agree with the posts above. The G series are great cameras once you get used to their quirks. Check out this guys photo blog - all done with a G5. Go back into his thumbnail archives - he has some great portraits!! Just something to shoot for (no pun intended)...

http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/archives/0404200240_clean.php

[Ballen Photo]

I agree with the posts above. The G series are great cameras once you get used to their quirks. Check out this guys photo blog - all done with a G5. Go back into his thumbnail archives - he has some great portraits!! Just something to shoot for (no pun intended)...

http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/archives/0404200240_clean.php

I'd say this person has a handle on the use of His G-5. In fact, I may go back through His blog again when I have more time. :D
.........Bruce

[4walls]

http://s94309565.onlinehome.us/albums/album05/image00999.gif

http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/archives/0404200240_clean.php

Wow, this guy is good!

[Duke107]

That's Just Pure Art!