lancewit Loc: Gold Coast Australia

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.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

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.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

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.

Bill_de Loc: US

The owners manual should explain that camera's macro mode.

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jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

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.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I had the same problem with the XZ 70, so I replaced it.

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Cure is to get a macro lens that works closer up.

lancewit Loc: Gold Coast Australia

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

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Lance,

It appears you first need an adapter tube to be able to attach an auxiliary close-up lens to your camera:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/758884-REG/Bower_AFZP100_Panasonic_FZP100_Adapter_Tube.html

I don't know how the above attaches to the camera. Check your owners manual. (I've used similar on other brands of cameras.... Those adapter tubes usually replace a trim ring on the lens that's released by a button or unscrews. But I don't have an FZ100 and don't know how it's attached to that particular camera.)

Then you will be to attach an auxiliary lens. Those come in various price ranges, quality and strengths. Cheap ones are junk and won't make for very good images. They usually come in sets of 3 or 4 for $25 to $50.

There are better ones from various manufacturers. At $85 to $90 apiece, Canon's 250D and 500D are good value. (There are much more expensive ones!) Both these Canon auxiliary lenses are high quality "diopters"... Comprised of dual elements for much better image quality than the cheapies. The 250D is the stronger of the two... while the 500D is a milder magnification. The 250D is recommended for use with shorter focal lengths, while the 500D is usually used with telephotos.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87491-REG/Canon_2820A001_58mm_250D_Close_up_Lens.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/87494-REG/Canon_2822A001_58mm_500D_Close_up_Lens.html

I also would recommend using a screw-in lens hood with the auxiliary lens. This helps protect the lens and prevent flare, which in turn will help with saturated colors and better contrast in image.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1079792-REG/sensei_lhm_58_pro_58mm_aluminum_lens.html

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

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.