PowerShot SX30IS Macro Help?

I just got this camera for christmas, and I can't seem to get the macro to work like I want it to. When I go into macro mode, and try to take an up close picture of something, the thing I want to take a picture of, or I guess the focal point, is blurry, but the objects behind it seem to be clear. How can I make it so it's the other way around? The canon I had before this had macro, and super macro. My SX30 does not, well not that I know of.
Help please? Thanks (:

Make sure the lens is retracted all the way. Even the slightest zoom will mess up the macro mode.

Are you using Program AE mode? Auto Focus? You can switch to Manual Focus to sharpen it up.

My close-ups have been very clear and sharp using "P" and manual focus. Actually Auto Focus works pretty well too in P mode.

Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot, but how do I switch to manual focus? Is that just the M setting? And what is Program AE mode?

CodyRubens120 wrote in post #11614656
Sorry if I sound like a complete idiot, but how do I switch to manual focus? Is that just the M setting? And what is Program AE mode?

Program AE is the "P".

CodyRubens120 - When I read the above, I thought, "Surely, that can't be right..." So I checked the SX30 Manual (Page 73) - and, indeed, they are right...!

Unlike the SX10 (which I have), and the SX20, Canon seems to have "combined" the 2 Macro modes in the SX30.

The earlier cameras have Super Macro, no zoom, range 0-10cm/4", and Standard Macro, which has zoom, if limited.

The SX30 has one Macro mode, without zoom, but focuses out to 0-50cm/1.6ft.

Reviews say it has very sharp focus in Macro, so if you follow the advice above, particularly about Manual Focus, you should get very good results.

Using a tripod will certainly help. If you also get a short "table" one, make sure the legs spread wide enough to balance the camera safely. One I bought for my old Fuji S2000HD, doesn't balance the SX10, let alone the much more front-heavy Fuji HS10.

Dave.

One other thing you might consider when using a tripod... Use the self-timer. That way there is no chance for camera shake.

Okay, thanks for the help! (:

exwintech wrote in post #11615826
Reviews say it has very sharp focus in Macro, so if you follow the advice above, particularly about Manual Focus, you should get very good results.
Dave.

I was reading this thread with interest as I am having a similar problem,
one of the things I was wondering is, on the SX30, can the manual focus
be used in Macro mode?
Thanks and take care.

Coinnut - I've commented on that in your own thread about the coins.

Dave.