I took Saeed's advice and bought the camera....it took a bit to catch on but it's everything Saeed said it was.....a pretty darn good camera.....

I really like it and got some great pointers here from several folks and am grateful for all the help.

Here's the wrinkle.....focusing the camera...

I set the rotary knob on faces and push the MF button and than adjust the focus by the "up/down" thingy....I see the image in marvelous focus.....but the photo turns out blurry and often indistinguishable as though I never focused it at all!

This is far and away the best close up I've ever taken:

but the image was crystal clear at the time of taking the photograph and most often the photo is completely indistinguishable.

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong please?

Are you using a tripod?

quote:

Originally posted by Alasken:
Are you using a tripod?

NO....should I be?

Operator error ...

Macro, no flash, auto-focus, shoot a couple dozen frames, edit for contrast, brightness, then color, crop, re-edit, publish. Great photos aren't easy, accidental, or done without thinking and planning.

Tripod would be helpful as would proper lighting.

You should use the Macro setting - it is the one with a flower on it, not the faces.

Look at your manual, and I think you will see what you to do.

I no longer have that camera, so I am afraid I cannot look it up.

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Operator error ...

Macro, no flash, auto-focus, shoot a couple dozen frames, edit for contrast, brightness, then color, crop, re-edit, publish. Great photos aren't easy, accidental, or done without thinking and planning.

Tripod would be helpful as would proper lighting.

There's much truth here....thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
You should use the Macro setting - it is the one with a flower on it, not the faces.

Look at your manual, and I think you will see what you to do.

I no longer have that camera, so I am afraid I cannot look it up.

Saeed.....thanks

This camera does not have a "flower" setting but does have a "M" setting and that just might be for Macro.....

I'll try it in a while

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Saeed:


This camera does not have a "flower" setting but does have a "M" setting and that just might be for Macro.....

I'll try it in a while

I think the "M" setting might be for manual setting which is not what you want...

Macro or Super Macro will be too close and the depth of field is too small. Unless your photographing a small feature.

Start off with your camera on AUTO everything.
It's hard to really see the focus on that camera, when you need to use two buttons to use manual focus. Holding down the "M" button while focusing with the 4 way button.

It's a great camera, just takes a little work to get used to it.
I've been using one for quite a while and I'm just getting it sussed now.

thanks folks....I'm catching on!

It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes you are better off NOT setting up as close as possible to your subject. Don't be afraid to set up (with a tripod) a distance away from your subject and use the optical zoom. Simple things like less concentrated flash/washout can be avoided. Your depth of field will be less pronounced. More complex things like distortion caused by spherical abberation from the lens can also be minimized (try taking a pic of a 12" ruler with macro, then the same from a distance using the zoom. Look at the edges and you will likely notice the macro pic shows the edges not parallel the full length.)

Good macro focus is sometimes tricky because the camera can't decide on what you are trying to focus on (like a round barrel) or there is not enough contrast to allow the camera to figure out what the sharpest focus it. Try using a highly contrasted focusing aid (a simple playing card would work) to set your focus point, remove and shoot. Not sure if that camera has it, but some have a zoom LCD useful for fine tuning focus, especially macro.

If all else fails, read the instructions

Cigarette rolling paper over the flash, more layers for more cut down light.

In macro mode, usually you move the camera or subject. That's what a macro rail is for.

I have the S3-IS. I really like it. It's a whole gadget bag in one hand. I bought the wide-angle and tele adapter lenses. I wish the S5 with the hotshoe had been available when I bought mine in May 2007. I have had zero luck with the Macro (flower) setting. I don't get how to turn it on and make it stay on until I take the picture. I don't see it go into focus when I get close to the subject. And what's the button with the little pip on it? I'd read the manual, but that's more trouble than it's worth. I just need a simple explanation in simple terms from guys who have used it. I can figger it out from there...