Focusing on infinity

[hbdragon88]

One of my major beefs with point-and-shoot cameras is that they apparently can't focus on infinity. I take a lot of sunset/landscape shots and I've always had to focus on a light pole or oil rig so that the AF is green. First it was the Nikon 4800 and now it's the SX100. The 20D has no problem with this. The question is, how is the focus-not-attained handled? Is it OK to ignore these? Can I keep shooting and will the pictures will turn out okay, or should I take heed and focus on closer objects?

[SkedAddled]

Like you, I've had many situations with infinity focus. I use an S3, and all instances of far-away focusing 'yellow-square' shots have been in focus so far.

Close objects, however, have been abyssmal for me, but that's another story.

[BBoi]

With the a640, I find that if I go manual focus and then infinity, i have to knock it back a touch or two to get a better focus, but I can't say it's ever bothered me as such, just ... one of those foibles that happens with hardware. Long as it does the job, I don't so much mind. And if I DO take a shot that's just a wee bit out on the focus, I have a p/shop tool that can deal with it.

[greenlight]

For infinity photos I sometimes try the 'landscape' option and compare with my manual choices. That is a good way to stay at default infinity focus.