Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus

Rob Ryder wrote:
> Hi
> I hope someone can help me.
> I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow (1
> sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> (instead of 'frame centre').
>
> This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing photos! I
> have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
>
> Any suggestions on the best camera settings for motor sport photos?
> Thanks
> Rob
> P.S. I have tried manual focus, but I find it virtually unusable on
> the SP500UZ

Hi Rob...

Don't have a 500; went for the 350 instead. Hindsight is wonderful,
sure wish I'd spent the few more dollars for the 500.

Anyway, "if" they're similar enough, I suspect what you're calling
"erratic" focus is merely the camera being allowed to pick it's
own choice of focus point (default) when it doesn't find
anything to focus on in the target mark.

Should this be the case, then it's easy enough for you to change
the default. Menu > camera > AF mode. iESP allows the camera
to choose for itself. Spot forces the camera to focus what's
in the target mark.

That explains the target jumping around, but doubt it will
solve your problem - just isn't going to be fast enough.

What might be worth a try is using manual focus, setting the
focus on a point where you want to take a picture, ie right in
front of you. If that's for instance 50 feet, then set it at
manual 50 feet. Follow the cars around with your viewfinder
and snap them only when they're right in front of you.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

Thanks for the tips guys... I'll try them at the next race meeting
Rob

"Rob Ryder" <rob.ryder DeleteThis @ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:EU7lg.31490$1Z2.22639@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> Hi
> I hope someone can help me.
> I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow (1
> sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> (instead of 'frame centre').
>
> This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing photos!
I
> have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
>
> Any suggestions on the best camera settings for motor sport photos?
> Thanks
> Rob
> P.S. I have tried manual focus, but I find it virtually unusable on
> the SP500UZ
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

> I hope someone can help me.
> I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow (1
> sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> (instead of 'frame centre').
>
> This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing photos! I
> have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...

I don't know the SP500UZ. Does it have manual focus and exposure lock? If
so, use both for motor racing. This will reduce the shutter lag
dramatically! And remember to pan. Then you should be OK.

Malcolm
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

Thanks Malcolm
The SP500 does have manual focus but is not the easiest in the world
to use. I do not know if it is the resolution of the screen, but I
find manually focussing the shot more like guesswork.
Maybe I will get better with practice? I have only been using the
camera for three weeks (and one race meeting).
Rob

"Malcolm" <nospam.RemoveThis@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:l6mdnatRhIclLwjZnZ2dnUVZ_r2dnZ2d@is.co.za...
> > I hope someone can help me.
> > I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> > autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow
(1
> > sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> > (instead of 'frame centre').
> >
> > This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing
photos! I
> > have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> > focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
>
> I don't know the SP500UZ. Does it have manual focus and exposure
lock? If
> so, use both for motor racing. This will reduce the shutter lag
> dramatically! And remember to pan. Then you should be OK.
>
> Malcolm
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

Does the SP500 have the same manual focus trick as older UZ Oly's?
Autofocus on something at the distance required (best in spot focus), then
while still half-pressing the shutter, hold the OK button down and the
camera will change to manual focus set accurately to the distance you want.
You can then leave it in MF for a series of shots at that same distance.

Use exposure memory lock as well as already stated and you'll have a fast
camera.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

SteveB wrote:
> Does the SP500 have the same manual focus trick as older UZ Oly's?
> Autofocus on something at the distance required (best in spot focus), then
> while still half-pressing the shutter, hold the OK button down and the
> camera will change to manual focus set accurately to the distance you want.
> You can then leave it in MF for a series of shots at that same distance.
>
> Use exposure memory lock as well as already stated and you'll have a fast
> camera.


Hi Steve...

The sp-350 doesn't. (just tried it

What it does have that previous cameras didn't is iESP focus.

What that does is... if it can't find something to focus on
inside the target, it just moves the target to where there is
something it can focus on. Really, really suprising to see the
target moving around all by itself Sometimes with weird
results, too

And iESP is the default, "spot" (the usual, what we expect) is
a menu option.

Take care.

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

"Rob Ryder" <rob.ryder.RemoveThis@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:9Njlg.61049$rC1.27620@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> Thanks Malcolm
> The SP500 does have manual focus but is not the easiest in the world
> to use. I do not know if it is the resolution of the screen, but I
> find manually focussing the shot more like guesswork.
> Maybe I will get better with practice? I have only been using the
> camera for three weeks (and one race meeting).
> Rob

I have an older Oly. (C750) For some thing like motor racing, I would use
the distance scale in the view finder and set the focus to infinity. Works
like a dream. I haven't any out of focus mnaual focus shots. Even for other
subjects, I estimate the distance (say 2 metres) and set the focus to that.
Works very well.

Agreed, trying to focus on the screen just isn't useable.

Malcolm
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

The C750 has iESP and spot as well. iESP has the moving box same as yours.
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

SP500uz

Moving target you need fast focus/exposure setting, fast frames/sec,
fast shutter speed


***** Anticipate (Fast focus/exposure, fast frames/sec)

-Custom program the AEL button as AF LOCK (Autofocus lock)
{camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, SETUP tab,
CUSTOM BUTTON, AF LOCK, OK/MENU, OK/MENU}
-Custom program DRIVE to HI (1.75 fr/sec)
{camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, CAMERA tab,
DRIVE, HI}
-Prefocus on anticipated location by pressing the programed AF LOCK
button (not by pressing the sutter button half way) Note: the camera
will show AF LOCK in dispay, when focus is completed, a green dot with
an L will appear and remain in display.
- Lock AEL at anticipated location by half pressing the shutter button.
- Just before the object is in anticipated location, press and hold the
shutter button the rest of the way. DRIVE HI will take 3 shots as fast
as possible with this camera.

AF PREDICT (helps focus not speed)

-Set AF PREDICT to on (attempts to calculate how subject is moving and
set focus accordingly)
-position [ ] on moving subject and press shutter half way, when the a
AF predict symbol appears press the shutter button fully.

Other things to try

ISO sensitivity (sets the cameras sensitivity to light)
Example might be... ISO set at 80 you take a picture of a car moving,
the car is infocus but the wheels are not, ISO set to 200, the car and
wheels are in focus. (Note: this is not the intended use, ISO is for
takeing pictures in low light. It is possible to set ISO and get only
overexposed pictures as the sutter speed max is 1/1000 sec)

Apeture value or F number (depth of field, small F only subject in
focus and faster shutter speed, large F subject and background in focus
and slower shutter speed)
This setting can change in "A mode"

EV settings (compensate the exposure the camera sets automatically)
Slightly decreasing the EV to -.3 -.7 -1.0 increases sutter speed and
usually can be corrected by software (gama correct) or in camera editor
without loosing picture quality.












Rob Ryder wrote:
> Hi
> I hope someone can help me.
> I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow (1
> sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> (instead of 'frame centre').
>
> This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing photos! I
> have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
>
> Any suggestions on the best camera settings for motor sport photos?
> Thanks
> Rob
> P.S. I have tried manual focus, but I find it virtually unusable on
> the SP500UZ
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

I forgot, press the AF Lock custom button and hold down will keep it
locked over more than one shutter button press (display will have a
green dot with an M, AF MEMORY)

Rob Ryder wrote:
> Brilliant! I didn't know about autofocus lock.
> Thanks a million.
> Rob
>
> <globjama.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1150789028.664769.120370@b68g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > SP500uz
> >
> > Moving target you need fast focus/exposure setting, fast frames/sec,
> > fast shutter speed
> >
> >
> > ***** Anticipate (Fast focus/exposure, fast frames/sec)
> >
> > -Custom program the AEL button as AF LOCK (Autofocus lock)
> > {camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, SETUP tab,
> > CUSTOM BUTTON, AF LOCK, OK/MENU, OK/MENU}
> > -Custom program DRIVE to HI (1.75 fr/sec)
> > {camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, CAMERA tab,
> > DRIVE, HI}
> > -Prefocus on anticipated location by pressing the programed AF LOCK
> > button (not by pressing the sutter button half way) Note: the camera
> > will show AF LOCK in dispay, when focus is completed, a green dot
> with
> > an L will appear and remain in display.
> > - Lock AEL at anticipated location by half pressing the shutter
> button.
> > - Just before the object is in anticipated location, press and hold
> the
> > shutter button the rest of the way. DRIVE HI will take 3 shots as
> fast
> > as possible with this camera.
> >
> > AF PREDICT (helps focus not speed)
> >
> > -Set AF PREDICT to on (attempts to calculate how subject is moving
> and
> > set focus accordingly)
> > -position [ ] on moving subject and press shutter half way, when
> the a
> > AF predict symbol appears press the shutter button fully.
> >
> > Other things to try
> >
> > ISO sensitivity (sets the cameras sensitivity to light)
> > Example might be... ISO set at 80 you take a picture of a car
> moving,
> > the car is infocus but the wheels are not, ISO set to 200, the car
> and
> > wheels are in focus. (Note: this is not the intended use, ISO is for
> > takeing pictures in low light. It is possible to set ISO and get
> only
> > overexposed pictures as the sutter speed max is 1/1000 sec)
> >
> > Apeture value or F number (depth of field, small F only subject in
> > focus and faster shutter speed, large F subject and background in
> focus
> > and slower shutter speed)
> > This setting can change in "A mode"
> >
> > EV settings (compensate the exposure the camera sets automatically)
> > Slightly decreasing the EV to -.3 -.7 -1.0 increases sutter speed
> and
> > usually can be corrected by software (gama correct) or in camera
> editor
> > without loosing picture quality.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Rob Ryder wrote:
> > > Hi
> > > I hope someone can help me.
> > > I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> > > autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow
> (1
> > > sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> > > (instead of 'frame centre').
> > >
> > > This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing
> photos! I
> > > have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> > > focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
> > >
> > > Any suggestions on the best camera settings for motor sport
> photos?
> > > Thanks
> > > Rob
> > > P.S. I have tried manual focus, but I find it virtually unusable
> on
> > > the SP500UZ
> >
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus 

Brilliant! I didn't know about autofocus lock.
Thanks a million.
Rob

<globjama RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1150789028.664769.120370@b68g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> SP500uz
>
> Moving target you need fast focus/exposure setting, fast frames/sec,
> fast shutter speed
>
>
> ***** Anticipate (Fast focus/exposure, fast frames/sec)
>
> -Custom program the AEL button as AF LOCK (Autofocus lock)
> {camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, SETUP tab,
> CUSTOM BUTTON, AF LOCK, OK/MENU, OK/MENU}
> -Custom program DRIVE to HI (1.75 fr/sec)
> {camera ready to take picture, press OK/MENU, MODE MENU, CAMERA tab,
> DRIVE, HI}
> -Prefocus on anticipated location by pressing the programed AF LOCK
> button (not by pressing the sutter button half way) Note: the camera
> will show AF LOCK in dispay, when focus is completed, a green dot
with
> an L will appear and remain in display.
> - Lock AEL at anticipated location by half pressing the shutter
button.
> - Just before the object is in anticipated location, press and hold
the
> shutter button the rest of the way. DRIVE HI will take 3 shots as
fast
> as possible with this camera.
>
> AF PREDICT (helps focus not speed)
>
> -Set AF PREDICT to on (attempts to calculate how subject is moving
and
> set focus accordingly)
> -position [ ] on moving subject and press shutter half way, when
the a
> AF predict symbol appears press the shutter button fully.
>
> Other things to try
>
> ISO sensitivity (sets the cameras sensitivity to light)
> Example might be... ISO set at 80 you take a picture of a car
moving,
> the car is infocus but the wheels are not, ISO set to 200, the car
and
> wheels are in focus. (Note: this is not the intended use, ISO is for
> takeing pictures in low light. It is possible to set ISO and get
only
> overexposed pictures as the sutter speed max is 1/1000 sec)
>
> Apeture value or F number (depth of field, small F only subject in
> focus and faster shutter speed, large F subject and background in
focus
> and slower shutter speed)
> This setting can change in "A mode"
>
> EV settings (compensate the exposure the camera sets automatically)
> Slightly decreasing the EV to -.3 -.7 -1.0 increases sutter speed
and
> usually can be corrected by software (gama correct) or in camera
editor
> without loosing picture quality.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Rob Ryder wrote:
> > Hi
> > I hope someone can help me.
> > I have an SP500UZ and I am experiencing erratic behaviour with
> > autofocus. Most of the time it is OK, but than it seems very slow
(1
> > sec). Also the focus point seems to jump about all over the place
> > (instead of 'frame centre').
> >
> > This is causing a real headache trying to take motor racing
photos! I
> > have lots of photos of an empty race circuit! I have tried various
> > focus settings, but nothing seems to correct the problem...
> >
> > Any suggestions on the best camera settings for motor sport
photos?
> > Thanks
> > Rob
> > P.S. I have tried manual focus, but I find it virtually unusable
on
> > the SP500UZ
>
 >> Stay informed about: Olympus SP500UZ erratic autofocus