Tuesday, December 6, 2011

technical help please...but not too technical

sometimes my camera focuses beautifully
but more and more often it won't.
is it time for a new camera?

i've been using a sony cybershot dsc h20.
it's given me great zoom, great macro, great clarity, & it's not too heavy or bulky.
suggestions for a replacement/upgrade?

23 comments:

john bain said...

Stick with the same make. It does an excellent job.

Doug Hickok said...

Could be time to replace it. I know that Canon makes nice cameras... perhaps something similar would do the trick. You can go to B & H Photography's website and spend some time comparing models. Good luck!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

We have a Sony similar to yours that takes very good photos and that we still use when it will be too much trouble to carry a heavy DSLR with multiple lenses (We have a Nikon D90 and the newer, similar model).

I think the key is to have more than one camera so that you have something for top quality when you really want to excel, and you have something that is quick and easy to use so you will carry a camera with you to more places.

Anonymous said...

Do you have a camera shop in town?? Might be worth your while to have it looked at first...

Lowell said...

According to Ken Rockwell and myself the best point and shoot on the market is the new Canon S100. I've got the S95 which is essentially the same. Incredible colors, easy to use with automatic settings, but with enough gadgetry to satisfy the technophobe's heart!

When you heft it in your hand you can feel the solid construction - very different from some p&s's. And it fits well into a pocket or purse.

Please check out Kenrockwell.com before you buy!

Sharon said...

This happens to me quite a bit and my cameras are not that old. I think it has to do with the eye in the camera not know where you are pointing. I'm a Sony user too. My DSLR is a Sony and I have the same Sony that Julie and Dave have for use when I don't want to carry all that equipment. My point and shoot is a Lumix (made by Panasonic) and I love it. It's my second one, after I dropped the first.

Virginia said...

I don't know camera names/numbers. I have a Canon Rebel. I love it. Question: does yours have a good viewfinder? If not, that's a must. Sometimes I have focus problems and I'm too close. Could that be it?
V

PS. What a little angel and I actually like the blurry one too!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a gorgeous subject you have there Brattcat, I'm wondering if maybe you clicked just as she moved a little in the second shot. There can't be much wrong with your camera the first shot is spot on perfect, and I agree with Virginia the second shot is very appealing. Honestly your images are so good it must have just been one of those things.

Jack said...

Man, I sure am not the guy to give anyone else recommendations, but i will tell you what i use. I have had Canons of all kinds for maybe forty years. I keep a Canon point and shoot in my pocket and just replaced one that had started malfunctioning. When I got out specifically to take pictures, I use a one year old Canon DSLR that I love. It is an EOS 60D and I use mostly a zoom lens that runs from mildly wide angle to mildly telephoto. Recently I got a zoom telephoto with more reach, so you might start seeing more distant shots from me.

Memory cards are so cheap and have so much capacity that the best protection against blur is not to risk taking just one shot. Click away and hope that at least one is good.

Sharon Creech said...

I have the same camera and have the same problem you do, tho I don't know if it's me or the camera. . .

Malyss said...

I won't be of any help today, sorry..

Nathalie said...

Both photos are very sweet !

Perhaps you could move on to a Canon G12? I just love my G10 !

Carraol said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carraol said...

Hi B, Sometimes is better use cameras in manual mode for more precise focus. About a new camera, technology runs and always are something better or cheaper, this is a fine and affordable camera: Nikon Coolpix L120!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754898-REG/Nikon_26254_Coolpix_L120_Digital_Camera.html
If you want something more pro, well there are a lot of DSLR Cameras:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/SLR-Digital-Cameras/ci/6222/N/4288586280

Bob Crowe said...

The quality of focus depends on the lens. I have a Canon 70 - 200 that just won't get anything sharp. My other Canon and Sigma lenses are fine.

New camera? Depends on your budget. I know Canon, not Nikon, but I have a deep, loving relationship with my 5D Mark 2. The Mark 3 will be out one of these days. Nevertheless, the less expensive 7D is one fine instrument.

Unknown said...

I have been using a 'Canon sx20 is' for over a year and love it. It has the features of a SLR with a single fixed lens that give the equivalent of a 28mm to 560mm optical zoom. The price varies from one vendor to another but I paid about $380 a year and a half ago. It is a great camera.

Unknown said...

I forgot to comment on your focus problem. You have 2 challenges in your fuzzy photo. First your subject is back lit which means you need to give your autofocus a little extra time to zero in on the face. Second your subject is a child which means you are shooting at a moving target. My approach to this is to fire off a number of frames and pick the best one. A digital camera means no film and processing expense. I hope this helps.

Thérèse said...

Not much more to say.
If you are used to Sony, stick to it. The adjustment will be easy.
Otherwise Canon is great. The G12 is a good solution for semi professional pictures and easy to carry around. I am working with a Rebel xt too and very pleased with it,am looking at a Mark II right now...
Perhaps to are too close to the subject which would explain your camera not being able to focus and the fuzziness of the picture.

Charlestonjoan said...

Oh, I bought the G12 Canon as a back up for work and really like it. I've been a Canon girl for ever.

Kate said...

I love reading all the comments. I, too, want a new camera and appreciate Canons. Will stick with that brand. Let us know what you decide!

Unknown said...

What a very cute child! Absolutely lovely!

Brattcat, you know I also use a Cybershot, but I'm afraid I can't help you, as the little I know about photography is merely empiric and when the camera starts making me mad, I just buy another one, a more advanced model if there is one at the time... LOL! Well, actually I just bought two so far, so I can't complain. :-)

irinapictures said...

Sorry that blurred photo was made not on purpose, it is amazing.
I have CanonG10, love it. And I am with PerthDPh - maybe girl just moved a little?

Julie said...

mmm ... I am not sure that little girl did move you know. Look at the background over her right shoulder. It is more in focus that her face. I think you focussed incorrectly. This could be because you are developing a shake as you go to depress the shutter. That happens to me. And for that reason, I chose a camera (5Dii which Bob also has and Jilly is considering), with an L series lens which also has IS (anti-shake) function. Sony will have these functions, too, if you really want to upgrade. It could just be bad habits that you are allowing yourself to slip into: depressing the shutter too quickly; snatching at the shutter; thinking the shutter has done its job and moving on too quickly; not providing enough stability for your shot. All of that impacts, and could result in a pair of shots as in your post. If you were having trouble focussing and needing to go to Manual focus, you would not have issues with this particular shot. YOu would see this if you were trying to shoot a bird amongst branches where there is too much choice for the auto-focus function. With this little girl, it would only be an auto-focus issue if she had significant strands of hair across her face that were moving and confusing your camera.

I think what I am trying to say is, before you go to the expense of a new camera, change your shot-taking style first to eradicate sloppy technique.

Although Canon & Nikon are market-leaders and people swear by them, you are best served by sticking to the brand that you know, so long as you respect that brand and it has served you well. It serves little purpose to be dazzled by bells and whistles, if all you really want is one bell and half a whistle.