Does anyone have a Minolta Dimage 5
Discussion
I bought mine about a year ago and haven't been 100% satisfied since. It seems to have difficulty focusing at times, particularly indoors or if it isn't bright, sunny weather.
When I first bought it it just plain old couldn't focus on anything - I brought it back and they made it much better. I'm having difficulty believing that what is billed as a very good camera could struggle so with the focus.
Anybody here have one? How well does your work?
When I first bought it it just plain old couldn't focus on anything - I brought it back and they made it much better. I'm having difficulty believing that what is billed as a very good camera could struggle so with the focus.
Anybody here have one? How well does your work?
gt5s_1985 said:
It's got me wondering why I spent the extra $$ for a fancier camera. Everyone else I know has a fixed-focus digital camera and they take excellent pictures in the dark. I was just wondering if this was inherent in these cameras or if there was some fix...
Sometimes it's possible to reframe on a lighter area the same distance away, then half-depress the shutter release button to lock the focus. However this also locks exposure (at least on my camera) so you might then get a picture which is sharp but slightly dark...
There's a lot to be said for the 'near/medium/far' control that my Olympus XA2 had. Focusing seems needlessly critical on the Mju300.
I've found that my Canon G3 is the same, but in my experience autofocus cameras like contrast to focus quickly in low light, so if you try focusing on something sharp (like an edge of something, or where two colours meet if you see what I mean).
Some cameras will also send out a beam of light (my old Minolta SLR used an infra-red type AF assist light, while my Canon SLR uses it's built-in flash gun) to assist focus, so it might be worth checking the manual to see if this is a feature on your camera.
Some cameras will also send out a beam of light (my old Minolta SLR used an infra-red type AF assist light, while my Canon SLR uses it's built-in flash gun) to assist focus, so it might be worth checking the manual to see if this is a feature on your camera.
ehasler said:
I've found that my Canon G3 is the same, but in my experience autofocus cameras like contrast to focus quickly in low light, so if you try focusing on something sharp (like an edge of something, or where two colours meet if you see what I mean).
Some cameras will also send out a beam of light (my old Minolta SLR used an infra-red type AF assist light, while my Canon SLR uses it's built-in flash gun) to assist focus, so it might be worth checking the manual to see if this is a feature on your camera.
Yep, the Nikon F70 needs some contrast/texture too, although the cheaper F60 uses a better system that sends out a beam when required. AF is an important subject (it's nearly always used for every shot) yet we never seem to consider how good it is at buying time!
At the risk of highjacking my own thread, what is the advantage of the SLR-type digital cameras? It sounds like all the brands struggle a little bit to focus, particulaly under difficult cases (ie little contrast)
Assuming you have two digital cameras that record at the same resolution, what is the advantage of going with the more complicated camera? I've seen some fantastic pictures taken with a fixed-focus camera - they often take pictures in the dark that would never come out with mine (blurred), and there is never an issue with focusing.
Assuming you have two digital cameras that record at the same resolution, what is the advantage of going with the more complicated camera? I've seen some fantastic pictures taken with a fixed-focus camera - they often take pictures in the dark that would never come out with mine (blurred), and there is never an issue with focusing.
gt5s_1985 said:
At the risk of highjacking my own thread, what is the advantage of the SLR-type digital cameras? It sounds like all the brands struggle a little bit to focus, particulaly under difficult cases (ie little contrast)
Assuming you have two digital cameras that record at the same resolution, what is the advantage of going with the more complicated camera? I've seen some fantastic pictures taken with a fixed-focus camera - they often take pictures in the dark that would never come out with mine (blurred), and there is never an issue with focusing.
Small fixed-focus cameras are fine for straightforward shots - my old XA2 gave some great results. But they do't have the flexibility. An SLR gives you faster and better control over shutter speed, aperture and many other variables that a more advanced photographer might want to use. And interchangeable lenses mean you can cater for anything: extreme wide angle, long telephoto, true macro - far in excess of a fixed lens camera. And the more you pay, the better the AF system too!
It just depends what you want to do and how adventurous you want to be.
My Minolta F300 has pretty poor auto focus in the dark due to lack of contrast but then it has the advantage that it can be taken out of auto mode and into manual and you have total control. Fantastic camera and would reccommend it. Takes Tiff format too (no compression)as well as jpeg and can be blown up to A3 size without affecting quality. I can pretty much do everything with this camera that you can do with an SLR (even pretty good macro) but its half the size/weight/cost. Just cant swap lenses.
Edited to add that the lense quality is superb too. Only drawback is it's pretty battery hungry. Could also consider Pentax Optio 555, another nice camera in the same price bracket.
>> Edited by jam1et on Wednesday 4th February 10:50
Edited to add that the lense quality is superb too. Only drawback is it's pretty battery hungry. Could also consider Pentax Optio 555, another nice camera in the same price bracket.
>> Edited by jam1et on Wednesday 4th February 10:50
I have a Dimage 5.
Most of the time it gets the focus right. It does struggle sometimes in low light conditions but it just takes a while to settle down. It's definitely not quick enough for 'action' shots though. I've got used to doing it manually now! (Although it's annoying that it doesn't keep the focus setting when it's turned off/on)
Most of the time it gets the focus right. It does struggle sometimes in low light conditions but it just takes a while to settle down. It's definitely not quick enough for 'action' shots though. I've got used to doing it manually now! (Although it's annoying that it doesn't keep the focus setting when it's turned off/on)
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