Help! Oly EPL1 Focus Issues

[wayne007]

I'm having intermitten results on focus with the epl1. I'm using the PT-EP01 housing 14-42 lens, and a UFL-2 flash. The following picture is an example of how the focus just isn't making it. It was taken in P-mode at 125th f/8, ISO 200. Does anyone have an idea of what I may be doing wrong?

I'd really appreciate any help

Wayne

 

[under water]

Some questions:
Which focus mode are you using?
How far away is the coral in the picture? ie how close are you trying to focus.
Did you see the led indicating focus?
Do you only have this issue U/W?
Did you try S-mode at 1/160th .. although you shouldn't really see any movement at 1/125th.
Are you using any kind of focus light?

Some suggestions -
Use center focus
Use Center-weighted metering
Don't use iAuto, face detect
Use a focus light

 

[friscuba]

I'm wondering if the camera is reading it as pretty much all one color. It uses a contrast focus, and to me it seems if there's a fairly indistinct color variation it has a tougher time getting a dead on focus lock. Could also be the focusing mode, try the center weighted, then spot, just for grins if you're taking a similar photo in the future to see if there's a difference. I tend to also us S mode at 125th - 160th and let the camera do everything else (I don't have a flash yet), still have my share of focusing issues, but not like with earlier cameras.

 

[wayne007]

I was using spot focus
Was about 4 feet from the coral
Didn't really notice LED
Above water I seem to do better
Didn't try S-mode and no focus light (I'm buying one yet not sure what the problem is)

Thanks for looking at this!

Wayne

 

[wayne007]

Steve:
Thanks for the input. I'll try S-mode and a focus light, but still not sure where the problem is.

Wayne

 

[wayne007]

Does anyone know what changes to the settings are made when you use the underwater settings (three fish, one fish - Macro)? I know the f-stops are changed and I assume the vivid feature is modified, but are there others? I noticed the metering modes on some of my photos alternate between spot and matrix (which I don't ever change intentionally)

 

[Hollywoodivers]

I was using spot focus
Was about 4 feet from the coral
Didn't really notice LED
Above water I seem to do better
Didn't try S-mode and no focus light (I'm buying one yet not sure what the problem is)

Thanks for looking at this!

Wayne

Focus Light...I put a L and M sola 600 and it focuses like a champ...however..all the other issues are equally important. Your center weighted single options for focus and metering are vital.