Fuji Finepix S5000 focus problems

[Wrasse]

Hey all, first question from a newbie.

I had a Fufi Finepix 2800Z which I recently handed down through the family. This was a great little all purpose camera but did not have enough manual ability and was not upgradeable.

I wanted an all rounder camera, so an auto program was a neccessity. As is the ability to add different lens options for the specialised photography I want to experiment with.

I have now upgraded to a Fuji Finepix S5000.

My problem is this. I have a dreadful hand shake. Hey, I was born with it, it runs in the family. But, it doesn't help my photography at all.

The 2800Z didn't have a problem with it, as I wasn't doing anything specialised and the odd point and shoot pic was fine, the camera could handle that. However, this S5000 is really finding me a problem. The auto focus bounces back and forth and I get an AF failure on at least every 2nd shot. This is predominately indoors, without flash, well lit and with the tripod also. Every pic I take using zoom is a waste of time. Outdoors shooting doesn't appear to be a problem.

One of the biggest issues I have with it is the viewfinder. Shots viewed through the viewfinder appear to be crisp, yet when downloaded to my PC, are clearly out of focus.

Using the 'manual focus' (with the wide/zoom control) on the S5000 just doesn't work for me, all I get is blur and I have to spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth for the manual focus to get things right.

I am wondering if I can overcome this problem by upgrading to the manual focus S7000, or am I just not getting something right? I have sat night after night playing with settings and the only crisp clear shots I can get are at auto settings with faster shutter speeds in outdoor light or by using the action photo preset and crossing my fingers.

I don't mind shelling out the extra dollars for the S7000 with ring controlled manual focus if this will help me overcome the shakes and auto focus problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Wrasse

[jcitsog1]

I bought my S5000 in February. I had some of the same problems at first. I played around with the focus settings and I finally found what worked best. The focus settings are located to the left (if you are looking at the back of the camera) of the flash. I also have found that using the "P" setting instead of Auto works much better for me.

I too, have a hard time not shaking while trying to take pictures. Especially when I am taking a close up. Adjusting these setting helps the problem. this will also fix the issue with the view finder. My veiw through the veiw finder is acutally a tiny bit fuzzy...but the pictures turn out great.

As for zoom....watch out for entering into the Optical zoom. When you look at the zoom on the screen there is a line for maximum zoom ...the range will go past that, when it does it is in optical zoom and the pictures are not as crisp. I NEVER go past that line.

The manual has all of the directions for adjusting the focus settings...the fuji website is also a great resource. If all else fails go to a camera store (like wolfe cameras..not best buy!) THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU.

I hope this helps.

[Wrasse]

Thanks jcitsog1 for your help. However, it came a little too late for the S5000. My fault, not anyone elses.

Being a typical female, I was too impatient to wait, so shot off to the camera store tonight and swapped the S5000 for the S7000. Best thing I ever did.

Straight out of the box (plus a battery or four and with the addition of an XD card) my first two pics were great. I have only taken the two so far, so can't comment about any others yet.

The S7000 seems to have a better auto focus for starters and there is a great 'enlargement feature' that enables you to focus on your subject, press the button, which zooms the middle of the frame right in, then you can check your focus before releasing the shutter. For that feature alone, I am happy to have paid the extra.

A heavier camera and bulkier to be sure, but pic quality (or is it feature quality) makes it a winner for me.

[another view]

Maybe the problem is in the way you're holding the camera. I see a lot of people holding digital cameras with their arms stretched out, and if you stand at their side when they're shooting, you can see the camera bounce up and down a little bit. I'm not familiar with the camera (but have a Nikon Coolpix 5000, sounds like it might be somewhat similar) but if you can hold it more steady that might help. Are you holding it that way or looking through a viewfinder with the camera supported against your body?

Manual focus on a camera like this is pretty worthless. I don't even know why mine has it, I can't get anywhere with it. And the problem with checking sharpness on the LCD is that it's so tiny - a lot of sharpness problems are hidden on any image that small. Think of it this way - a wallet sized print doesn't have to be very sharp, but make a 16x20 and the rules change.

Check the manual, there may be different AF modes which may work better too.