L100 Focus Problems

[BigScott]

I have the Nikon Coolpix L100 (p&s) and have been having a lot of trouble focusing in low light. I tried increasing the ISO but the main problem I have is consistent. When I press the shutter halfway down the camera attempts to focus, but then shows red brackets indicating it is not able to. Does anyone have experience with this camera? It works wonderfully for outdoor shots but I am having real issues inside. Any help you can offer would be great.

[OsmosisStudios]

Raising the ISO wont help the focusing.

P&S cameras use a constrast-based focusing system: try pointing at a hard edge between 2 colours, preferably black and white. I've found that its sometimes best to focus on a suit jacket and have a small enough aperture to get the DOF right.

[JohnM525]

I too got an L100 (last Christmas) and have been having a heck of a time taking sharp, clear pictures in lower light conditions too. I figured out that turning off anything to do with the auto-focus sensing (light on face of camera) does help. I especially have trouble in LOW LIGHT conditions or ZOOMED in, except in black & white mode it's crystal clear on a zoom.

I saw a reference to EXIF extended information that is captured with photos, and would like to know which storage formats capture this information ?

I contacted Nikon about the focus problem, and was told this is normal for this type (P&S) camera, which I found completely unacceptable. Sharp-focus is a fundamental requirement of any camera, not just high end ones.

Sincerely,
John - Fox Lake IL

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by JohnM525

I too got an L100 (last Christmas) and have been having a heck of a time taking sharp, clear pictures in lower light conditions too. I figured out that turning off anything to do with the auto-focus sensing (light on face of camera) does help. I especially have trouble in LOW LIGHT conditions or ZOOMED in, except in black & white mode it's crystal clear on a zoom.

I saw a reference to EXIF extended information that is captured with photos, and would like to know which storage formats capture this information ?

I contacted Nikon about the focus problem, and was told this is normal for this type (P&S) camera, which I found completely unacceptable. Sharp-focus is a fundamental requirement of any camera, not just high end ones.

Sincerely,
John - Fox Lake IL

You're asking a hell of a lot from a compact camera.

First of all: focus in low light is hard for dSLRs which have very powerful AF systems. A compact using the simple contrast-detect autofocus that is the norm doesn't stand a hope in hell. Nikon are right: it's common for the entire market. It's also not "sharp focus" that you're looking for, but accurate focusing. This is difficult for these cameras.

The same applies to low-light shooting, especially at longer zoom ranges. The sensor in a compact is very small: 8-9x smaller in surface area to even the crop-sensor dSLR cameras. That, coupled with the demands of high resolution, means that high-ISO noise is strong and, in some cases, very harsh. This is a technical limitation on almost all cameras (2 currently on the market are somewhat better, though still not dSLR-like).

Of course, when you throw a long zoom range (like the L100's 15x), you start complicating things even worse. Long zooms mean faster shutter speeds, which, in low light, mean higher ISO levels. Its either that, or a blurry mess. Again, this is difficult even on a dSLR. The reason you dont see it in black and white is simple: black and white handles noise from high-iso much better because its less visible.

EXIF is recorded within the metadata of an image file. Simply put, the image file is comprised not only of RGB value pixels, but also has information that is "behind the image".

I'm going to be terrible blunt here: you need to get off your high-horse and come down to earth where technical limitations are a fact of life. There are certain things that simply are not possible.

[JohnM525]

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. I am not a professional photographer, and purchased the L100 for taking good family photos. My only complaint, is that if there are limitations of the technology, why do they not incorporate the ability to by-pass those limitations by allowing manual focus by the operator (easily accomplished with a similar button to wide/telephoto). I did not think I was asking for the impossible.

[OsmosisStudios]

Thing is, on a point and shoot, manual focus is hard to implement and hard to use. The L100 has other major glaring issues (like ISO control).

Using manual focus with a button like that is painful, trust me. Focus is one thing you dont want any kind of stepping involved, and as soon as you add a digital button, you end up adding a "step".

[Gaurav Prabhu]

Originally Posted by JohnM525

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. I am not a professional photographer, and purchased the L100 for taking good family photos. My only complaint, is that if there are limitations of the technology, why do they not incorporate the ability to by-pass those limitations by allowing manual focus by the operator (easily accomplished with a similar button to wide/telephoto). I did not think I was asking for the impossible.

Don't know what's wrong with Nikon in P&S range. Almost none seem to offer any MANUAL control. These cameras just have preset modes unlike Canon P&S which offers total MANUAL controls even the one below Rs.10K have them.

[lazawal09]

Well i also have the same camera and have quite some trouble getting pics indoor at night under bulbs (Pics would always turn out to be Orange)...last time through DPS, suggestions by few people, i tried something for indoor photography at night. adjusted the exposure time 2 steps down (From the main dail at the back right button)....i got good, some what natural pics...have not tried it in low ligt conditions, will do it now....may be i am not answering ur question but am informing you abt one aspect of this camera and how to handle it.
i have taken some wonderful shots with this camera..so dont be disappointed just know it well
Luck

[OsmosisStudios]

Guarav: Then buy a Canon. Frankly, if you're buying a compact that has manual controls, you're looking at a Canon anwyays (the G series). Most other compacts are designed for ease of use, not perfect controls and outcome as expected by dSLR users.

Lazawal: Your issue sounds not like a exposure issue (which, IMO, you've solved wrong), but with white balance. Indoor lights ARE orange, the human eye just adapts to it.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

@OsmosisStudios - i already have a Canon. Just spreading awareness about nikon not offering MANUAL controls in their point & shoot lineups.