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bearsbybeesley Aug 30, 2006

Hi guys. Garnet the sweet man that he is bought me a new camera yesterday. It is a HP Photosmart E317 5.0 megapixels.

My Question is even though the colors are beautiful when I take a picture the focus seems to be just off.

I have it set at 5best and I am making sure the white balance is better. Does this mean I need to invest in a tri pod?

Thanks guys Louise

SunnieOne Aug 30, 2006

Hi Louise
You might check your manual to see if there are focusing requirements. For instance, on my camera I need to hold the shutter button down 1/2 way until it beeps, then push it all the wway to take the picture. Pushing it halfway autofocuses it.
Sonya

psichick78 Aug 30, 2006

if you're taking close-up pictures. make sure your macro is on. It's a button that looks like a flower. That takes the fuzziness away.

Also, the best tip I have is read the whole user manual. After I did with my camera it opened up a whole new world for me.

Good luck! Congrats on the new toy

bearsbybeesley Aug 31, 2006

Thank you guys for the feed back. I think the darn camera is going back. Thanks Garnet for the lovely thought Hon but it is not a workin!

Hugs Louise

TamiL Aug 31, 2006

Hi Louise,
I don't know about your camera, but I have always used a tripod.
It makes a load of difference in your pictures.
hugzzzzzz

Eileen Aug 31, 2006

Louise, I couldn't focus at all without my tripod! My day-to-day snapshots are hit and miss.

My camera is so small that it's very difficult to hold steady.

You could experiment with the 'timed' shot. If the camera focuses when nobody's holding it, you need a tripod.

If it doesn't, you might need another camera!

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 31, 2006

I can't focus without my tripod, either, no matter how hard I try.  So do be sure to consider that as a possibility!  Seriously, I can't take a picture of my bears worth a hill of beans without my tripod, and the focus possibilties it gives are AMAZING!!!

edie Aug 31, 2006

Louise, How is the focus if you are shooting other things - like scenes or people ? Is it just with your bears that you are noticing the fuzziness? If so it is likely what Heather said that you don't have the close-up focus on.I always used a tripod with my 35 mm camera but found with the digital I don't need to but you could also try that - or rather than going and buying a tripod just set the camera on something to steady it and see if that helps to test if it is a problem with the camera or not.

Terrie Aug 31, 2006

A new camera! That is so nice!  I can't take clear pictures without a tripod either, try setting it on something stable and take some pictures of your bears to see if there is a difference.

bearsbybeesley Aug 31, 2006

You guys are awesome. Thank you. You know I wondered about a tripod. I am off to buy one tonight!! So many Hugs to all of you!!!

Hugs Louise

jenny Sep 1, 2006

I posted this before...if you are shooting close up ...on macro..then on most cameras you need to manually focus..unless you have a super close up lens with the ability to focus at close range..of say less that 3 feet. Most macro lenses aren't that great unless you manually focus them for optimum sharpness. If you aren't that close up then you shouldn't need the macro mode.
As far as the tripod goes...check what shutter speed you are getting...any less than 125th of a second will result in fuzziness...also...check the aperture..at wide apertures...say less than f5.6 the depth into the shot that the camera focusses on is very narrow...ie if you focus on the eyes..the nose will be out of focus...so use more lights and get the shutter to work at upwards of 200th of a second and try for an aperture of f8 or higher..and you won't need a tripod...

Unless you are really shaky..LOL