Softness

[deluco]

I sent my camera in to Fuji in New Jersey for diagnosis of the softness problem. I haven't gotten it back yet, but the rep on the phone states that many people who have the S1 complain about softness in the S2. The S1 appeared to be sharper..which is my opinion also. They will check my camera re the specs, however. We shall see.

[uudam]

Hi
I had it for a few months and I am suspicious about the sharpness of the images I shot. I had a D 100 before and it seems much sharper.
Did you already solve the problem?
Best,
UuDam

[deluco]

They sent it back with a note, "adjusted focus". It's fine now.

see these...www.delucophoto.com/derek.html Of course, these are lower resolution but they were all sharp.

[puglover]

I am glad to hear your camera works fine now - mine is making me crazy!! i have already contacted Fuji about a possible loaner while they fix mine - i thought i was losing my mind - i couldn't get a sharp picture no matter what i did.:(

[marcusrevilla]

OK ...great...I thought it was just me. We had that same problem and were trying to figure it out...are you noticing the softness overall or only in certain situations?

Hey Pug, nice to see a "neighbor" around here!!!

Marcus

[puglover]

Marcus - i notice the softness pretty much all the time - however, every now and then i will get a pretty sharp image - but i think that is by accident on the camera's part. It seems that the camera puts the focus in the image just infront of where i actually try to focus - just missing the target - but enough to where it makes my images appear soft all over - i always look to find where it actually is in semi-sharp focus and it is always right before the intended focal point. It is extremely frustrating - and everyone i ask will generally tell me that i am using the camera wrong and tell me to check the 'closest subject priority' feature or the AF + mode and I have done that - they are not on - I have read the manual MANY times trying to solve the problem. I am calling Fuji again today (I already sent them a fax requesting a loaner so i can have this one repaired) - i have one more wedding to shoot this month and i would like to have a working camera! :)

[marcusrevilla]

I noticed one problem with the S2 is when I do "lock on focus" and recompose, the focus doesn't stay like it should...I have to refocus, etc...

Let me know what they say...

Marcus

[puglover]

I definitely have that problem - i said something about that on another thread here - and there is a SENTENCE about this predictive motion focusing (p. 38) in the manual - i am thinking that possibly this is part of the problem?? Who knows - but that happens to me a lot since i generally use the central focus point to focus, hold down the shutter halfway, then recompose - and most of the time the focus moves on me. Very irritating. I am getting ready to call so i will keep you posted. :mad:

[surge]

definitely there is some focus issue.

once i tested my s2 with the tokina 17/3.5 ATX pro as most of the softness issue seems to be with wide angles in my case.

i was about 1 meter away from my wife and asked her to not move. i off the custom for near focus and shot about 10 shots with the center sensor( which fits nicely inside the face) and i really take to time to aim and confirm before shooting.

i shot at f5.6 and between shots i cover the lens to change lens focus.

the result?

ALL shots were different and worst of all i only got about 1-2 sharp!!!

sold the camera

[Tom Nolle]

I shoot in single-servo mode with dynamic AF turned OFF to avoid having the camera outwit me in focusing.

Tom

[puglover]

Just for everyone who is having problems with the focus/softness on the S2 - I received my loaner yesterday so that i can send my camera in for repair (focus issues) and the loaner is MUCH better - so there is obviously something wrong with my camera - I am not just crazy! :) I think the focus settings are just off enough to make almost all of my images come out soft - the occasional one came out in pretty sharp focus I think by accident - since someone moved in the right direction unexpectedly or something... SO, point being - if your camera is having similar problems it is more that likely not something you are doing (as many tried to tell me), so send it in!

:cool:

[puglover]

I did this as well - so my focus problem was not that I had the settings wrong - it is definitely a glitch in the camera - and I am sure that some of them work just fine - they would have to with all the rave reviews the camera has received - which was why i bought it in the first place.

[HairyHaggis]

I have same issues with my camera and await its return ... without a loaner in the meantime I might add.

But, here is an extract from an e-mail I received from Fuji (UK) regarding a question on the softness issues that I queried. I think its absolute nonsense, but lets see what you guys think of this.

The issue of 'sharpness' on the S2 discussed by many photographers is unfortunately a misunderstanding on their part. The S2 has been designed, on the advice of professional photographers, to produce an unsharp image which when corrected via post production gives a very sharp image. With regards to the recall of S2 due to battery problems, the numbers involved are very small. More information on the battery issue can be found on our website.

Lets hope mine comes back with the "Focus" issues sorted then :(

[marcusrevilla]

Oh wow...and all this time I thought "hard" sharpening was just that...but in fact, it probably means "hard" sharpening in "post production"...not buying it...

Marcus

[puglover]

I don't buy it at all...i think they messed up on this one - unfortunate because i am stuck with it for the time being... part of the problem I am having is due to this 'predictive motion tracking' with the autofocus that you can't turn off...I like to use shallow DOF's and when the focus moves after I hold down the shutter halfway it really causes the focus to miss the mark - I usually focus and reframe, which causes this motion tracking to refocus a lot of the time - i am just going to have to learn to use the other (side) focus points or use manual focus...bugger.:mad:

[marcusrevilla]

Hey pug!

What ticks me off is that you should be able to keep the focus locked on...hell, thats what the setting is for...Fuji is really ticking me off on this one...I just got some engagement shots and some are soft and I know that when I was shooting them, I kept an eye open (no pun intended) and make sure my "focus lock" was on through the viewfinder...I'm like you...I focus, keep the shutter half way down and recompose...bleah...thats all I have to say...

Marcus

[Mystie]

This is an interesting read. I have had issues with it's soft images also. I bought mine used last October. The thing that I can not figure out, is that there is no rhyme or reason to the softness. It does seem to be worse with extreme shallow DOF, which I LOVE to use. (1.4) and it is more sensitive to movement and shake. My theory is the smaller sensor. Greater DOF, and faster shutter speeds really help this alot. There are frustrations, but as with any new (in it's infancy) product there are issues. I am willing to bide my time, and make concessions. I love digital.
(this coming from a 10 year hard core MF gal)

[marcusrevilla]

Lori,

You are so on the nail on this one! It seems that when I use a more shallow depth of field, I get the same results. Hmmm...don't get me wrong, I love my S2 to death, but I do have paying clients who might not be as willing to forgive the camera as they would me...

Marcus:D

[Mystie]

yes of course, as do I. So this is something we realize, and are careful of. There are many ways to capture an image, I am working on the best way for me. It is frustrating as I like the shallow DOF, and slow shutters tho. There are also different saturation results from the different ISO's also. So simply cranking the ISO up is not the cure all either.

[puglover]

Hi mystie, I just checked out your website - nice work. The link to your wedding page seems to be having problems - couldn't get it to come thru - as a wedding photographer too I was interested in your style of shooting...

On the (dang) camera... when I was spending hours researching the thing I never came up with any of these issues - very annoying considering I really tried to do my homework. It took me forever to find anything at all until a fellow S2 user told me about this forum - he too (like many others) seemed to think I was crazy because they weren't experiencing the same problems with the camera. I was so relieved to find that other people were going thru the same thing. I also love shallow DOF's and I am beginning to realize that I am just going to have to tone it down a bit if I want to help eliminate this problem - and the camera seems EXTREMELY sensitive to camera shake. I will also start using one of the side focus points and see if this helps with the 'predictive movement tracking' nonsense. I almost want to start using my Sony 707 again instead - I trust it a lot more. :(

http://www.photosig.com:10003/go/users/userphotos?id=11241