trouble with macro's

philstar

Hello all...

I can't seem to master macro shots, when i take a pic of an object everything around it is in focus, but the object itself is blur.

I have capture set to macro, and metering set to spot but to no avail:(

Does anyone know a fix??

Plz bear in mind im a novice..so layman's english....my camera is a basic 5m compact.

Thanks in advance Phil.

Roen

You're going to have to post up examples before we can we what's wrong.

But it does sound like the object is closer than the background.....and the background is in focus. So I'm guessing that you either gone too close to the object or the auto focus has picked something in the background to focus on rather than the thing you had in mind.

Check the manual for the minimum focus distance the lens/camera has and then make sure you don't go closer than that.

daedalus2097

What make is the camera? Most cameras will let you choose an autofocus area if the default in the centre is inappropriate. This is the small square or set of square brackets in the centre of the image on the screen. The camera tries to get whatever is in this area into focus and ignores the focus of surrounding areas, so if that square is not over your object, you won't get it in focus.

Are you pressing the shutter button half way to see if the camera can auto focus at all? If you press it half way the brackets or square will usually turn green if it's in focus and red or will flash if it can't focus, as would be the case if you're too close or there's no detail for the camera to spot. Digital cameras focus by looking at contrasts in the focus area, so if you think you're not too close and the auto focus area is over the object, try putting an edge or line in the focus area - this will give the camera an easier target to focus on.

philstar

here are some examples...

rgiller

Had similar problems myself. There are a couple of solutions.

1. You might be a bit too close for the camera you are using so take a step backwards and try again

2. Set the capture mode to macro (ie the flower symbol) so the camera will search for objects in the near field

3. If you've got manual focus control, try that. That's what worked for me

Good luck

helios

On the 2nd one, the background seems to be in-focus, so you might be too close to your flowers. If you're using an SLR, try choosing the AF point as the centre, if not, manual focus will be your friend

philstar

yes i have it set on manual setting.....but no joy

ThOnda

Even the first one has it's focused part. Maybe you were to close and camera couldn't focus to such short distance.
Find in camera description what is minimum distance for macro.#
And what is the camera type and make?

Zillah

Set the autofocus to centre point and put the flower in the centre of the frame. If that doesn't work then you're probably just too close.

philstar

here's a perfect example about what i mean, the first macro is fine but the second is not, *Both pics were taken from the same distance and same camera settings ...so i'm baffled:(

ThOnda

It looks that camera can't focus to so short distance or focuses itself to something else than you want. Can you set maunal focus on your camera? If so, set it to the closest distance as possible and move your camera and watch the display, if the main subject is sharp. It could help you understanding your camera for make it doing what YOU want, not what camera wants ;-)

daedalus2097

Is the camera saying it's in focus before you take the shot? All of those photos show the camera focussing behind the main subject - which can be helped in two ways depending on whether the camera actually focusses properly or not.

the camera will make it obvious whether it's in or out of focus by means of flashing red warnings or green / red lights or some other way...

Muineach

When i'm setting up a macro shot I tend to use a 6 inch ruler where possible, i have an old metal one but anything will do, I position it right over/beside the object i want to focus on (doesn't work too well for insects as you may gather), then I switch to manual mode and focus on the object/ruler until the ruler (mm.) becomes clear and sharp, then by making very small adjustments I can see the manual focus change more clearly, give it a go, it works for me.

Alternatively you can use a newspaper, anything with smallish text.