G9 did not achieve focus with 45mm PL macro lens

[ralf-11]

I am wondering why the G9 could not focus - maybe the slow macro lens was too slow to focus?

I was using the center group AF choice. on a small tripod; f3; 1/15 speed, ISO 1600

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Any ideas?

 

[Bushboy]

Did you half press the shutter button?

 

[ralf-11]

probably, but don't recall

a moment before this one it took a commendable macro shot

 

[Bushboy]

Probably just rushed the shot.
I reassigned my depth field button to manual focus, and use it, when I’m using that lens. One of my favourite lenses that one.

 

[JanW]

Did you check the focus/release priority setting?
If it is set to release the photo will be taken even if correct focus is not yet locked.
With an extremely fast camera and a slow focusing lens that is very well possible.

 

[Henk van Slooten]

I found this: http://m43photo.blogspot.com/2010/07/panasonic-leica-lumix-dg-macro-elmarit.html

When using the autofocus for close up focus distances, it does not function perfectly. At close to the magnification limit, you will some times experience false positives. The camera reports that focus is achieved, while nothing in the frame is in focus. This also happens sometimes with the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake at close distances, by the way.

Some times, for example when photographing flowers, the camera will focus on the background, and not see the foreground flower at all, even if it covers the whole focus point. In this case, I've found that it helps to temporarily switch to manual focus (MF), manually choose the largest magnification, and then switch back to AF.

 

[JanW]

> When using the autofocus for close up focus distances,

Not really the case here I think

It could also have focused on the most contrasty item in view which is the black edge (TV?) on the right.
Carpet is sharp there..
What focus point/group do you use?

 

[ralf-11]

No - the shot is a few feet away.

Custom Multi focus group with a diamond of about 3 squares on every direction from the center square.

focus/release priority = Focus

I don't recall having this problem before - about 2 years with Panasonic bodies and this lens; 45+ years in still photography...

 

[ooheadsoo]

Looks like it focused on the strong contrast pillar on the right. I don't know why it sometimes focuses on things not inside the focus box(es.)

 

[ralf-11]

Hmmm... that seems like the leading culprit - Thx

 

[ralf-11]

Thinking about this some more - there is NO focus point in the file. The add-on for LR could not ID one anyway.

So did the lens not move maybe?

 

[JanW]

Maybe the camera couldn't lock focus and simply stopped trying.
On my gx800 I get a large red square when it can't find a place with enough contrast to focus on.

 

[ooheadsoo]

This happens to me on my G9 from time to time. It's probably fair enough to say that all of my cameras have missed focus from time to time, and the G9 is no different. Hard to say why...

 

[ralf-11]

I don't think my Nikons ever did - started with film cameras - but maybe I just forgot...

 

[ooheadsoo]

I still shoot Nikon. I will say that it never misses by a mile like my G9 does, but it does miss. The thing about some of these computers we call cameras is that when they miss, they miss by a mile.