I have a Panasonic FZ100 One Lens 24 x optical zoom 14 MP.
I like to engage in close-ups of insects, plants and those kind of subjects.
I normally use spot auto focus.
When I zoom in from approx 1 meter away on a small insect I find that the camera will start to focus and then go blurry and not refocus. If I re-zoom at say 2 meters I can sometimes focus but the the image is not as big as I would like.
Help please.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in anticipation,
Regards Lance Whittington
AndyT
Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire
Sounds like you're closer than the minimum focusing distance which causes the lens to hunt. When you back up slightly you've achieved the minimum focusing distance, and the camera locks on.
If have not passed the minimum focusing distance as AndyT suggested, one thing that can help is to back off 'til you achieve focus, and then very slowly zoom closer. This used to happen to me a lot with the Canon SX50, so I understand your frustration.
Not familiar with the camera, but looking at the macro specs online it will focus at 0.4" wide and 3.3' when zoomed in. So, if you are about a meter (3.28ft) away and zooming in you are right at the spec limit. So Andy and Linda nailed it - you are exceeding specs. I would follow Linda's advice to back off then slowly zoom in.
I have the FZ200 and on the left side of the barrel is a 3 position switch, upper limits focus to omit closest distance, middle position adds in closest focus and lowest position is manual focus. Easy to forget "in the moment" to switch to closest focus setting.
The owners manual should explain that camera's macro mode.
--
From DPReview, "The camera is designed with a focus mode switch on the lens barrel, and a rear jog dial for better control while shooting manually."
I'm not sure what this means, but it might mean that you have some manual control over focus. I prefer cameras that let me focus manually if I choose.
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
On several of my "superzoom" models, I have to remember to engage the "Flower" (macro symbol) and one of several "close-up ranges" or I get that same action.
tomad
Loc: North Carolina
Does it have a Macro mode? If you put it in that mode it may focus closer.
westitzer
Loc: Central California coastal area
I have the FZ-200 and with the focus switch on the lens barrel set to close-up, I can focus down to about 1 cm.
I had the same problem with the XZ 70, so I replaced it.
lancewit wrote:
I have a Panasonic FZ100 One Lens 24 x optical zoom 14 MP.
I like to engage in close-ups of insects, plants and those kind of subjects.
I normally use spot auto focus.
When I zoom in from approx 1 meter away on a small insect I find that the camera will start to focus and then go blurry and not refocus. If I re-zoom at say 2 meters I can sometimes focus but the the image is not as big as I would like.
Help please.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in anticipation,
Regards Lance Whittington
I have a Panasonic FZ100 One Lens 24 x optical zoo... (
show quote)
Cure is to get a macro lens that works closer up.
Thank you all for your response regarding my focusing problems.
I have taken all comments on board and will try them and see what the results are.
Regards Lance Whittington
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
lancewit wrote:
I have a Panasonic FZ100 One Lens 24 x optical zoom 14 MP.
I like to engage in close-ups of insects, plants and those kind of subjects.
I normally use spot auto focus.
When I zoom in from approx 1 meter away on a small insect I find that the camera will start to focus and then go blurry and not refocus. If I re-zoom at say 2 meters I can sometimes focus but the the image is not as big as I would like.
Help please.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in anticipation,
Regards Lance Whittington
I have a Panasonic FZ100 One Lens 24 x optical zoo... (
show quote)
With the minimum focus distance on this camera is .39" or 1 cm, in macro mode, pressing the AF/ AF-Macro/ MF mode button to switch to Macro Mode will get you close - but your minimum focusing distance increases as you zoom. I can't figure out what the maximum magnification is on this camera, but you'll need to be at least 1 m and use manual focus assist (if that is possible) to get good focus at the minimum focus distance. Keeping the front of the lens free of dust and smudges will help tremendously.
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