Canon G10 Focus Issues

[wayne007]

Can anyone from Canon confirm that the "AF assist Beam" will not work when using the WP-DC28 housing? The beam appears to be blocked by the housing and will result in poor focus in moderate to low light situations. Should "AF assist Beam" be turned off when using the housing?

Appreciate any info you can provide

Wayne

 

[drcolyn]

Hi Wayne

Very valid question thanks. I have been wondering about the same thing recently because I have to make an adapter plate to add Inon macro lenses to my setup. The swing away models advertised on the web looks like it will block the AF assist beam for sure.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Yup, it sort of does block it. My strobes have focus lights built in (YS110's), so don't really have an issue, except that those lights will scare fish... so most of the time I don't use anything. You will be amazed at how well it will focus in low light...and if you have an issue, and don't have strobes, you can use any UW light.

Ok, it takes a bit of skill to hold a light in one hand and the camera in the other and not run into things....

However, almost all my images are in fairly deep, dark water, and don't use any focus lights...

 

[wayne007]

Thanks for the input. I seem to get inconsistent focus so maybe its the auto focus not working at peak performance.

Wayne

 

[Puffer Fish]

Thanks for the input. I seem to get inconsistent focus so maybe its the auto focus not working at peak performance.

Wayne

Ok, that is most likely something very, very different.

Most point and shoot cameras, use area focus....so getting something small in front of say coral or a rock is almost impossible.

There are several things you can do to make this better:

1. Set the camera to show you a magnified area when it gets focus.. that tells you it is working and shows what is in focus.

2. Set the camera to spot focus... but be careful where you aim it.

3. If that does not work, focus on a flat surface and then move back to get the object, while holding the shutter half down..

I did that to shoot this little guy:

Most of the time you will find it is focused, but not on what you are looking at.

Also, be aware of motion blur

 

[Puffer Fish]

some fish, by the way, cannot be focused on.. blue gobies come to mind, but there are others...

 

[Puffer Fish]

The camera uses contrast to focus, so anything smooth, it will not focus on, like the goby:

Or a jelly: