fuzzy image using canon g2

[chp5592]

I just purchased the canon g2. Admittedly i am new at this. Just upgraded from fuji 2600.

I have noticed that my pictures (at highest res, lowest comp) looks rather fuzzy on the computer (although very sharp on the LCD screen). Everything has a little fuzzy edge to it. I am evaluating the pictures in Adobe photoshop at the "actual pixel" view mode.

Is this an artifact? I am using the auto mode for now. In the manual mode there appears to be a setting to increase the sharpness. Is this the answer?

Could this be a subtle defect in my autofocus mechanism? (although it looks sharp enough on my LCD screen)

Would appreciate any help or advice.

[spitfire]

hi
did u shake while taking pictures ? it could be some minute movements perturbed ur picture quality while using a slow shutter speed in auto mode.

[suemccartin]

It's a quirky little camera in some ways; focusing just takes some getting used to. First thing, get out of the automatic mode habit, the camera tends to pick small aperatures at the expense of slow shutter speeds from what I've found. Go to program mode, I have much better luck letting it pick it's own settings there, try to keep your shutter speed over 1/125 and wait for the green light to come on next to the viewfinder (I think it beeps too if you've got that turned on) before you press the shutter all the way down. If you follow the above you'll get good pictures, took me awhile to catch on too, don't feel bad.

I also have turned off continuous af mode as I think single (when you press down the shutter button) works better. If you are shooting in low light it'll shift to iso400 mode which always makes your pictures grainier(I use 200 or 50 mode depending on light).

The camera is easily confused (I think anyhow) by objects that may be in the way of your actual subject so if there are leaves in the way of the bird you're shooting frame on the bird's head, prefocus by pressing the button halfway down and then reframe and take your shot, this works for me.

[Leighow]

Hi Guy.

This topic has been discussed in-depth on this site. It seems to be realted to a mixture of causes. Digital. The G2's approach to auto focus. Hand held shots. And, on occasion a possible camera problem. Also, if you have the time scout the posts related to DOF (use Pekks's search engine).

Take some time to read all of the above + posts related to sharpening + posts realted to focal length + consider the posted advice on ISO 50 and 100 -- these demand longer T or wider A.

All this to say I usually set T to around 250 and let the camera pick the aperature. I always frame my shots through the viewfinder (hand held), and I only use the LCD for macros or to confirm that I have an image to process back home.

My advice ? Worry little. Shoot lots.

HOWIE

[chp5592]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments. It seems that the autofocus on G2 is a little finicky. I will try your suggestions.


Carl

[bfaust]

I notice some blur on the edges when a picture is blown up BIG in photoshop. I think it is due to too much sharpening making the pixels appear to have a ghost around their edges. It should not be there in a RAW image but maybe in JPEG.