Distance from subject: I have a point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix P510/Nikkor 42X Wide Optial Zoom ED VR / 4.3-180mm 1:3-5.9. They say there is no such thing as a stupid question ...

suecanoe Loc: Thunder Bay ON Canada

I have a point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix P510/Nikkor 42X Wide Optial Zoom ED VR / 4.3-180mm 1:3-5.9. They say there is no such thing as a stupid question ... hummmm. I am a very amateur photograph. How far is too far? I have attempted a shot and it has focused perfectly. I try the same shot again and no focus ... or it zooms in/out/in/out and quits. I shoot birds mainly. In an attempt to capture some very large whooping cranes in Texas, I got one good shot and several terrible ones. I realize my camera is probably not adequate enough to cope with the shots I expect of it . . . but why would it produce even ONE clear shot?

Wendy2 Loc: California

Possibly the reason is where you focused on each of the shots? Maybe that one good shot was focused in the right place and the others weren't. Since I am not familiar with your camera, I don't know if you have any control over the focus.

Don Schaeffer Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

Auto-focus has its problems. You have to keep your eye on the image until it focusses correctly before finalizing the image. Try manual focus.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Hi Sue, welcome! I'm thinking your camera is auto-focus only, correct? Are you able to set the focus points? If you can set it to just focus on one point (in the center), you might have more consistent results.

Regarding "too far," you will get best results when the subject fills a large part of your frame. If you are trying to take photos of distant birds that are only a small portion of your final image, you'll rarely get a sharp photo. But yep, sometimes there will be that accidental one that makes you want to keep trying!

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Your manual should cover this for you, if not google the subject or get a field manual for your camera. You have auto focus and that is different from point and shoot.
If all else fails read instructions that come with your camera.
I have had my camera over two years and still refer to manual regularly and seem to learn more each day. The are complicated piece of equipment. Auto focus needs contrast to work properly. That is probably your problem. Just practice, it will come second nature in time.

PalePictures Loc: Traveling

Every camera I have ever owned has this problem. It happens for me when the subject is in low or questionable light. Your camera sensor needs enough light to focus. Reflectivity of parts of a subject may or may not allow you to focus for a given low light scenario. I just had this happen on my 5DSMKIII three days ago on a shoot in the shade with grey walls on all sides.

Bottom line is you either find a different point of light and focus or you go to manual focus.

suecanoe Loc: Thunder Bay ON Canada

Wow! Thanks so much for the most helpful replies ... I'm off and shooting!!!

suecanoe Loc: Thunder Bay ON Canada

Thank you ... thank you Linda! Just the bit of advice I needed :)

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

Most auto-focus systems have problems when it comes to focussing on subjects with no discernible pattern even in good light. Some are better than others. The sky, calm water, blank walls etc. can be a real problem. AF needs variation in the subject. There's usually a signal of some sort even in point-and-shoot cameras that tells you if you're in focus or not, check it.. In the heat of the moment it's easy to miss.

Dano Loc: North Carolina

Don Schaeffer wrote:

Auto-focus has its problems. You have to keep your eye on the image until it focusses correctly before finalizing the image. Try manual focus.

When shooting from a distance, the bird you want to be in focus is likely a rather small part of the scene, so the camera may have a hard time knowing which part to focus on. Building on Don's point, the auto-focus on my canon point & shoot, which I think is like most, is center weighted. Try placing the bird in the center of the frame, hold the shutter button down half way until it focuses, and then reframe the shot (while still holding the button down half way). This tells the camera what to focus on, and holding the button locks it in until you take the shot. You can also look in your manual to see if you have any options for the auto-focus - typically things like evaluative, center-weighted, off. Center-weighted would probably be best in these situations.

emmons267 Loc: Arizona, Valley of the Sun

PalePictures wrote:

Every camera I have ever owned has this problem. It happens for me when the subject is in low or questionable light. Your camera sensor needs enough light to focus. Reflectivity of parts of a subject may or may not allow you to focus for a given low light scenario. I just had this happen on my 5DSMKIII three days ago on a shoot in the shade with grey walls on all sides.

Bottom line is you either find a different point of light and focus or you go to manual focus.

Frustrating, but reality.

suecanoe Loc: Thunder Bay ON Canada

Thanks again for all of the most informative replies. I think I "got it" :)