| Photography Forum: Digital Photography Q&A Forum: |
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Q. Question about Nikon Coolpix 995
Asked by Guillermo Ramhorst
(K=320) on 4/15/2003
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Hi, I have a concern about my cp995.
After some heavy usage, I decided to upgrade the firmware to 1.7. At the same time, I begun to notice that it is becoming somehow hard to get sharp focus with the camera, all the photos, specially with the builtin flash, tend to be unsharp.
But, at the same time, I was able to see some superficial and very tiny scraps in the protector glass at the front of the lens part of the camera. So I am wondering about the causes of the loosy focus I am experiencing:
1) Myself (ie: I am not using a good technique to to get a sharp focused shot)
2) The tiny scraps on the glass surface. I cannot identify them on the shots I take, and I've been told that they should not affect image quality by our Nikon Rep in Argentin.
3) The new firmware.
As any service to that camera would be pretty expensive in my country, I would like to do some guessing and discard possible causes before I go to the Nikon rep.
Any ideas, similar situations, etc?
Any suggestions for sharp focusing in interior photos with the 995?
Thanks everyone in advance!
Willy.-
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Uncle Frank
(K=1642) - Comment Date 4/16/2003
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Hi, Willy. I agree with the Nikon rep. Small scratches on the front glass pane, though annoying, shouldn't affect the quality of your images. I'd suggest you buy an inexpensive UV filter to protect it, though, so you don't get any more of them. If the current scratches were big enough to attract the attention of the autofocus, you wouldn't get slightly unsharp images, you'd get totally blurred ones. And your most recent shot, titled "Not Funny", confirms that your 995 is still capable of ultra sharp captures.
What is the nature of your "interior shots"? Are they portraits or architectural? It would be useful if you could post one of the flawed images so we could get an idea of the problem. But in general, the best way to ensure sharp indoor shots, which are usually characterized by low light, is to use a tripod. And if you are taking lots of indoor shots, I'd advise you to purchase an external flash, as the built-in flash is too puny to do a good job.
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Guillermo Ramhorst
(K=320) - Comment Date 4/16/2003
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Uncle Frank, thank you very much for your advice...and your excellent job with that camera! You made me renew my willingnes to go out and shoot and improve my skills.
In the meantime I was able to collect some further advicea and feedback about the camera. On top of what you suggest, I've been adviced to forget about the usage of the Focus AREA settings... the camera fails a lot with them.. .couldn't get out to shoot yet, will do tomorrow.
Thanks again.
pd: Hey, nice shots at pbase, wonderfull memories there! Congrats!!
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jeff lynch
(K=4770) - Comment Date 4/16/2003
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I have noticed that my 995 developes a bit of an attitude every once in awhile with regards to the auto focus. Like Unc said....use a tripod and if you still have problems experiment with manual focus and a high aperture. I also make it a habit to use the focusing points when using auto focus to find the area with enough contrasting edges for the camera to recognize and lock in if possible.
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