Help with focusing

[Tindomul]

Hello all,

I have a Nikon coolpix 4600. 4.0 megapixels, 3xzoom

ok. My fights with this camera (when we are both in a bad mood) is that I can't get it to focus on the object I want it to focus on. If Im taking a photo of a flower it will more often than not choose to focus on the background rather than the flower. I can sometimes fix this by putting my hand behind the flower, but there must be an easier way. What are your experiences with this? Thanks.

Also, the more I zoom, the harder it is to focus on the object I want to photograph.
This is why I've been eyeing Cannon Digital Rebel Xti, but maybe I just need to learn a trick or two?

[Nico]

I don't know how the Nikon coolpix works and how the camera do the focusing. Have you read the camera manual carefully? Do you use the proper mode?

I've found this about Nikon coolpix 4600: 'The camera uses contrast-detection autofocus in normal mode, which ranges from 1.0 feet (30 centimeters) to infinity. In Macro mode, the camera focuses as close as 1.6 inches (4.0 centimeters), and automatically switches to continuous AF mode, focusing constantly when the Shutter button is not half-pressed. (Note that closest focusing is possible only when the lens is set to a fairly narrow range of focal lengths towards the wide-angle end of its range. The zoom indicator that appears at the top of the LCD when zooming and the "tulip" macro icon both turn green when the zoom is set within the optimal range in Macro mode.) '

With my Canon 350D I can focus on 7 different points and it is easy to precisely choose where to focus.

[Ludisia]

Choose: Menu/AF area mode/manual
You can move focus point with arrow buttons. Hope this can help you.

[littlefrog]

You could try ritalin (or 'focusin' if you are a Simpson's character).

[Flowers]

Originally Posted by littlefrog

You could try ritalin (or 'focusin' if you are a Simpson's character).

Focusin would be more appropriate given the situation

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ludisia

Choose: Menu/AF area mode/manual
You can move focus point with arrow buttons. Hope this can help you.

Right on. And not sure about 4600, but my Nikon Coolpix 995 has a yellow tulip symbol that must light up before it goes into macro mode. If I remember correctly, you are limited to a certain zoom range or setting before the macro mode will kick in. I bought 3rd party macro attachments for mine just because of this. I'll try to find the source so you don't have to buy a new camera. Nothing wrong with what you have right now Tindo. Give me a chance to bail you out, man!

[Ross]

OK, Tindo, here's what I've found from my favorite haunts:

Macro mode limited to wide angle position (common with most point-and-shoot cameras with "macro" built-in. If interested in why this is so, let me know.
Steves Digicams - Nikon Coolpix 4600 - User Review
Steve is a very consciencious reviewer, fair and not biased to any brand and his review indicates "Like most Nikon models, the 4600 excels at Macro photography." So I would recommend practice and perfecting your technique. I doubt another brand would help. It's another purchase (there is another tank you want, right? )

It is possible to get fairly good macro (close-up) shots with your camera:
DigiCamReview Gallery :: Nikon Coolpix 4600 Sample Photos

[Tindomul]

Thats true. I can't spend my money left and right.
Thanks for the help!!!

[ScottMcC]

tindo, I don't blame you for wanting that rebel xti...I've had my eye on one ever since they came out.

you might consider taking a class--a lot of photography shops offer little seminars from time to time for relatively cheap.

[Flowers]

Originally Posted by ScottMcC

tindo, I don't blame you for wanting that rebel xti...I've had my eye on one ever since they came out.

It's worth every penny, let me tell you.