S30 Macro

[rossj]

I am having problems getting a in focus shot using the Macro feature. I have tried seveal shots of flowers etc and often the background is more in focus. I seem to only get 2 out of 10 focused. Any idea's much appreciated. I have tried it in Auto and some of the other options. In some of the cheaper cameras the Macro feature works fine without having to change apature or manual focus.

Also what about the download for the S30 is that really needed and does it help with my problem??

Thanks

[drisley]

Im not sure which download you mean?

As far as macro goes, make sure the focus box is pointed on the item, not on the background.
ALso, try half pressing the shutter, wait for the green box to show you have focused, then while holding down the half press, click on the manual focus to see what distance the camera is focusing on.

Also, The S30 macro cant seem to get REALLY close, so maybe that is the problem.

[hkboy313]

i read other people discussion...you can buy a lens adapter too. go to www.bugeyedigital.com ...they have adapter for wide and close up ...

[bigdave]

As drisley said already, Make sure you see a green box overlayed on the object you're trying to shoot before you press the shutter all the way. Also it helps the auto focus if you center the box on an area of high contrast when you half press the shutter. I assume the download you're referring to is the firmware upgrade. It seems like you only need to download that if you do direct print, or if you use the movie mode often. Well good luck, and happy shooting!

[hkboy313]

question about firmware...is that s30 basically a computer? how does it upgrade? and does it really make the camera perform much better than without it? or it makes it compatible with newer hardware?

[ruby]

I find that what works best for me when doing macro shots is to manually set the focus at about the measurement I need. If I am trying to get a very close picture I will manually set it to the smallest amount. Then with the lens on I move the camera in slight increments till it is sharp on the viewfinder.
ruby

[lotsacats]

I had a Canon Powershot S40 and brought it back because of the same problem. I now have a Sony Cybershot which was half the price and it takes better pictures of distance and macro shots than the Canon ever did. I get the feeling that the Powershot cameras are overrated.

[hkboy313]

which powershot did you get?

[hkboy313]

which powershot did you get?

[eagles_creek]

ruby wrote:
I find that what works best for me when doing macro shots is to manually set the focus at about the measurement I need. If I am trying to get a very close picture I will manually set it to the smallest amount. Then with the lens on I move the camera in slight increments till it is sharp on the viewfinder.
ruby


Hi ruby,

how do you know the measurement you need?

I am having the same problem with the focus when shooting marco,esp insects.Using the AF,i realise that sometimes it works,sometimes it doesn't.

I am currently considering the lens adaptor options from ckcpower. But do not know which marco lens can i fit with the 37mm thread.

Anybody knows?

Thanks folks!

[ruby]

The only way you can get really close is with the adapter and the macro lens. I bought mine at bug eyed digital. They have a chart which lists the filters and lens that will fit on the 37 mm adapter. They also sell the adapter. I liked them as they were nearby in SF and I got my order within 2 days. I also made a mistake and ordered the wrong adapter. They exchanged it for without any problem. You just can not get close with out a macro lens.

[lotsacats]

The powershot I got was the Sony DSC-P71.
Now it doesn't have movie mode with sound only without sound but I only wanted the cameras for pictures anyway. It is better than the Canon S-40 I tried. I was told that the A/D convertor makes a difference. The Sony has a 14 bit A/D convertor which it advertises. Canon doesn't mention their A/D convertor because it's only a 10 bit. I was told that anything from a 12 bit and above is good.