D Lux 4. Focus problem

[luxius]

Hello, my name is Luigi, and I am new in the forum.
I have a d lux 4 since saturday. I'm having problem with the focus.
It is posible that this camera does not have a good definition of the object?
Otherwise, the range of the manual focus is very bad. from to meters to infinity there is nothing. I have an older compact from sony that have more options for the manual operation of the focus. I'm very disappointed with this function.
In macro every compact camera works well. The important range starts in between 2 meters to 10, and there I have no choices. If anybody can tell me something about this, I will be grateful. Regards, Luigi

[jrh68uk]

Luigi,

At first I wasn't sure what you meant. Now, as I understand it, you're talking about a difficulty with manual focus because the focus assist doesn't have enough definition and that it's especially difficult between two metres to infinity. Correct?

Having not really bothered with manual focus with mine until now, I just tried it out. I took "control" shots of books in a bookcase (amongst other things) using AF and then tried with MF. I have yet to get an MF shot *quite* as sharply focused as an AF shot. I've got close, but it's not easy. Yes, the MF focus assist doesn't seem to have enough definition to quickly nail the focus as well as AF does. You can move between two metres and infinity with an object at two to three metres and see relatively little change in the exploded assist patch (or screen, depending on settings). But the final photo will show a difference.

Similarly, with an object about 0.5 metre away I see little difference in the assist patch from just below 0.5m to just beyond 2m. But, when I look at the pictures, I see that my object is just about in focus in both, but that I've shifted the depth of focus in front and behind.

MF is easier at closer distances than at longer ones. Bearing in mind the depth of field for this lens/sensor combination, I don't see it as a major issue in practice. Yes, at longer distances it's a little tricky but depth of field is a factor.

Cheers,
Jason

[integrale]

In my experience (and that's not much), if you really want to do manual focus, the joystick operated manual focus on the DL4 is not very practical.

You'll need some thing like the manual focus ring on SLR lenses, or the Digilux 2 to have an expedient and efficient MF (just my 2c).

[luxius]

Thanks Jason. I wrote you but the server falls.
I will explore this issue this weekend and post some pics on monday.
Basically I prefer some focus stops and think in the deep of field than this particular window,
but I asume that this company will upgrade the function in nexts firmwares.
Thanks again, best,
Luigi