Focusing to Pin Points on the S3...

chicagoastronomer · 21st of December 2006 (Thu)

Fellow S3 owners,

I ask all of you digital enthusiasts a question about an observation I have on the S3 that is really bothering me. I did not desire to go to a full DSLR, as the S3 has features that the full fledged DSLR does not, but I hope I can work around this.

Overall, the camera is fine and I enjoy all of it's features, but I think there is a problem on focusing. As an astronomer, I desire to take astrophotos with the S3, and in my tests, it seems that I cannot focus stars to pin points. I am using manual focus to infinity, but on the LCD screen and resulting images, the stars are not pin points as they should be.

Is this an inherent problem with all Digital cameras in this type of exposures...or could it be my camera?

Here is a link to my begining stellar astrophotography exposures:

http://astronomer.proboards23.com/in...ead=1166148281

I have not yet attached it to a telescope yet, but using only it's on-board lenses and zoom, (12x).

Thanks.

Respectfully,

Aray_Of_Art · 21st of December 2006 (Thu)

I looked at the shots from your other forum posts, and it seems the advice you got there is pretty sound. I'd try some of their suggestions.
By the way your shot near the Adler Planetarium is awesome!!!!

Jon · 21st of December 2006 (Thu)

What shutter speed and lens zoom setting were you using? This could simply be normal star trails.

BigDBronco · 22nd of December 2006 (Fri)

They do look a little like star trails becuase the stars look slightly oblong. also focusing to infinity maynot produce the shapest images, try focusing to infinity the backing off just slightly.

chicagoastronomer · 22nd of December 2006 (Fri)

Thank you all for the replies.

I have tried to back off a bit from focusing to infinity, but on the LCD screen but the star images seem even more out of focus.

Now, there is some star trailing going on there, and I used ISO 200, F-3.5 and a 5 second exposure. I could be getting some pixel oversaturation, but I think it's just not reaching that infinity focus sweetspot by a millimeter or two.

And thanks for the kudos on the Planetarium skyline shot. It was an impromptu effort after taking some astro images over the lake. I do like it myself!

21st of December 2006 (Thu)	#1
chicagoastronomer Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	Focusing to Pin Points on the S3... Fellow S3 owners, I ask all of you digital enthusiasts a question about an observation I have on the S3 that is really bothering me. I did not desire to go to a full DSLR, as the S3 has features that the full fledged DSLR does not, but I hope I can work around this. Overall, the camera is fine and I enjoy all of it's features, but I think there is a problem on focusing. As an astronomer, I desire to take astrophotos with the S3, and in my tests, it seems that I cannot focus stars to pin points. I am using manual focus to infinity, but on the LCD screen and resulting images, the stars are not pin points as they should be. Is this an inherent problem with all Digital cameras in this type of exposures...or could it be my camera? Here is a link to my begining stellar astrophotography exposures: http://astronomer.proboards23.com/in...ead=1166148281 I have not yet attached it to a telescope yet, but using only it's on-board lenses and zoom, (12x). Thanks. Respectfully, __________________ Chicago Astronomer Joe Administrator www.chicagoastronomer.com

21st of December 2006 (Thu)	#2
Aray_Of_Art Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 316	Re: Focusing to Pin Points on the S3... I looked at the shots from your other forum posts, and it seems the advice you got there is pretty sound. I'd try some of their suggestions. By the way your shot near the Adler Planetarium is awesome!!!! __________________ 30D, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 100mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, 430EX Speedlite Website: http://www.rachelellice.com/

21st of December 2006 (Thu)	#3
Jon Moderator Cocker Spaniel Mod Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kensington, MD USA Posts: 65,148	Re: Focusing to Pin Points on the S3... What shutter speed and lens zoom setting were you using? This could simply be normal star trails. __________________ Jon ---------- EOS, Powershot and Domke - it doesn't get any better than this! T90 and stuff \| F-1n, New F-1, FTb and more stuff out on loan Cocker Spaniels Maryland and Virginia activities *DC Cherry Blossoms* Image Posting Rules and Image Posting FAQ Report SPAM, Don't Answer It! (link) PERSONAL MESSAGING REGARDING SELLING OR BUYING ITEMS WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO POSTS IN FORUMS AND/OR WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW FROM FORUMS IS HEREBY DECLARED STRICTLY STUPID AND YOU WILL GET BURNED.

22nd of December 2006 (Fri)	#4
BigDBronco Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Brevard, NC Posts: 15	Re: Focusing to Pin Points on the S3... They do look a little like star trails becuase the stars look slightly oblong. also focusing to infinity maynot produce the shapest images, try focusing to infinity the backing off just slightly. __________________ a camera a stuff to go with it

22nd of December 2006 (Fri)	#5
chicagoastronomer Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 73	Re: Focusing to Pin Points on the S3... Thank you all for the replies. I have tried to back off a bit from focusing to infinity, but on the LCD screen but the star images seem even more out of focus. Now, there is some star trailing going on there, and I used ISO 200, F-3.5 and a 5 second exposure. I could be getting some pixel oversaturation, but I think it's just not reaching that infinity focus sweetspot by a millimeter or two. And thanks for the kudos on the Planetarium skyline shot. It was an impromptu effort after taking some astro images over the lake. I do like it myself! __________________ Chicago Astronomer Joe Administrator www.chicagoastronomer.com

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