A40 Focus problems in near by shots, need help!

[woodhobby]

I'm hoping that there are some A40 users out there that can help me with this. I have had this A40 camera for about 3 weeks. Here's the problem. . . . when I take indoor pictures (doesn't matter what mode), anywhere from 4 to 12 feet away, the camera does not completely focus, and the when reviewing the pictures they are not in focus. When I take landscape shots the pictures are in focus, and the camera beeps twice and I get a little green light when holding the shutter button half way down, telling me the picture is in focus. However, for indoor or closer shots I never get the two beeps, or the green "in focus" light, and using get the icons on the display telling me the camera is out of focus. I have even put the camera on a tripod and get the same results.

I have taked the camera to a Canon Service Centre, and they say the camera is fine, there is nothing wrong, and sent me home to read the manual. They did apply a "focus adjustment fix" to the camera, which has not made any kind of a difference.

Am I doing something wrong?

Do any other A40 users get a green "in focus light and two beeps when holding the shutter button down half way?

Please help, as Canon has not been able to help me, and I can't get any "in focus" indoor photos.

Thanks in advance.

[Laurie]

I have read in another forum that the is a problem with the focus in certain models of the A40 and that Canon has put a fix on their website to download to correct this problem. You have to enter your serial number in and it'll tell you if your camera is one of them that needs this adjustment fix. There are step by step instructions you have to carefully read and follow.

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/PSA40/PSA40_Adjustment-e.html

Laurie

[woodhobby]

Yes, actually the focus adjustment has been installed by the Canon Service Center, which has not helped or resolved the problem.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[mpeter71]

I've noticed the same thing with my A40. I believe the problem is that there's not enough light. On wide angle shots you get sufficient light, but when you zoom in on something (especially indoors) that light level drops. Try setting up a suspicious shot in normal light then try the same shot with an added light source on your subject.

[JohnMN]

I have been going on about the A40 focus problem since I first came on this forum and I'm still having problems with it. As was said by an earlier contributor, it is much more difficult for the camera to focus in low light conditions than when outdoor. Professional photographers in a studio use lights from 500W upwards to get proper lighting. You could also try using the macro, snapshot and landscape modes. For most indoor shots set the camera to snapshot mode (head and shoulders icon) and stand about 5 or 6 feet away from your subjects... then there is also the problem with the flash being too near and burning the picture out (but that's for another day)

JohnMN