Zoom and Close Up Pictures Question

[sbhahn]

Hey All - I am new to the DSLR world. I have a Panasonic G10 and have a quick question. I was trying to take a close up shot of some flowers. The camera would not focus (although it looked like it was in focus) and therefore the camera would not let me "take" the picture bcs the camera was not in focus.

Any ideas on how I can get the camera to take the pic even though it thinks it is out of focus?

Thanks for any ideas!!

Sarah

[SusanH1970]

What lens are you using, and how far away were you from the flowers? Lenses have a minimum focusing distance.

[sbhahn]

It was just the 14-42 lens. Interesting. So I cant shoot really close up?

[SusanH1970]

That lens has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm (approx 12 inches), so the front of the lens needs to be at least that far away from the subject.

[sbhahn]

So is it the case then that if I stand at least 12 inches back and then zoom in will it work? I love taking close ups of flowers and this is a bummer if the closest i can get is 12 inches.

Do you happen to know what lens I would need to take close ups?

Thanks for your help!

Sarah

[SusanH1970]

It should work if you're at least that far away - the minimum focusing distance remains the same at all zoom levels for that lens.

I'm unfamiliar Panasonic so I'm not sure if there's a dedicated macro lens for that camera, hopefully someone else can help you out with that.

[sbhahn]

Cool! Thanks for your help! That helps a lot!

[SusanH1970]

Happy to help.