Canon S1 IS Auto Focus Problems

[Geeeyejo]

Hi all,
Just purchased the S1 IS (after having an Olympus D340 for the past six years) the performance of the auto focus at first threw me - especially at higher zooms and lower light conditions. Some shots did not seem to want to focus at all! I set the camera to the "non-continuos" auto focus setting (ie only focuses when shutter button is half depressed) and it seems a bit better. Also, I believe that without any zoom, the camera acts like a "point and shoot" with no need to focus?
Anyway, just curious about others experiences and any pointers that you may be able to share.
I love this camera and got it at a great price new - $311. Also picked up the CP-200 card printer with it - wow, great glossy coated prints!
Thanks!

[Youngster]

I agree with you, I find the auto focus rather disappointing too. I usually end up using the manual focus or "locking the focus". It's explained in the manual...

[Bodryn]

I have mine set like yours: it only focuses when pressing the shutter button. I like the fact that it autofocuses VERY RAPIDLY! However, I have noticed sometimes that when zooming to infinity, it isn't quite as focused as I would like. A bit hit and miss there. Other than that, it seems to always work and it focuses about 3 times as fast as my A70. The manual does say that it has some trouble autofocusing on certain kinds of subjects and for those it is probably best to manually focus it. What's nice is that all you have to do is press the MF button on the front of the camera and then adjust the focus exactly as you want it. (This is under the P dial setting.)

[dorncounty]

wasn't there a firmware upgrade for this? There one for somthing but I haven't tried it.

[Geeeyejo]

There was a firmware upgrade - but not sure if it covers this problem. I logged in my serial number on their site and was informed that my camera was already upgraded when new - later manufacture date I guess.

[Bodryn]

Something I also notice on the S1 IS is that sometimes when I set the manual focus to infinity, it doesn't seem to be quite focused at infinity but somewhere closer; it's a sort of hit and miss proposition. This is most obvious when attempting to take shots of the moon at 10x. Sometimes the craters are quite sharp, other times not. Makes me think I ought to get a Drebel and one of those good old fashioned zoom lenses that I can focus myself.