I'm considering buying the Canon A-50 digital camera and am very concerned that it's auto-focus only. How would I take a picture thru a window (car,bus,store-front,museum display case,etc.)? Please help.

-- John Laurence (jrl67@hotmail.com), October 04, 1999

Answers

The A50 uses a method of focussing that measures contrast of the image in the focus window (small box in viewfinder). This means that it will ignore the window (as long as it is clean) and try to focus on the subject. IR focussing cameras are fooled by objects in front of the subject. You can also pre-focus by aiming at an object that is about the same distance from the lens, depress the shutter button half way, then recompose the shot without lifting the button. This locks the focus and exposure (try to aim at something equally lit). You can then fully depress the button to take the picture. Good luck!

-- Dennis Pereira (dpereira@ultranet.com), October 05, 1999.