Blur images

<p>I'm using a Nikon D80 with a 18-200 lense, and whenever I shoot pictures at close range, at automatic mode, the object(s) I'm shooting come out blurring, but the background is clear. I know it has something to do with the camera's focus setting, but I don't know how. <br>

Your answer is pretty much appreciated. Thank you!</p>

<p>How close? That lens can only focus just so close.<br /><br />Chose the ingle (not [C]ontinuos) focus mode, and set to single-point focus. See if you can get focus lock (the green light in the finder should light up) on the thing you actually want to get in focus. No? Back up a couple of inches, try again.</p>

<p>Thanh</p>

<p>If you are too close, you might be are out of the focusing range. Find in your lens manual which is the MINIMUM focusing distance... </p>

<p>JC</p>

<p>An example or two would make answering easier.<br>

Implicit in Matt's answer is that it is crucial for the photographer to take control of AF and NOTE what focus points are lighting up when the lens/camera are deciding what YOU want to be in focus. It's simply amazing to me that it works at all (sez the ol' timer, muttering about "new fangled...")</p>

<p>My guess is that the focus sensor that you think the camera is using is not the one that is being used. When you press the button to focus, the active sensor will blink in red in the viewfinder. The camera will focus on whatever is behind this sensor. Remember, the camera has no idea what your subject is . . .<br>

My D80 and D200 both tend to change AF sensors when my nose hits the rocker dial on the camera back. <br>

Ed</p>

<p>If your close subject is in the centre of the frame then I suggest you select just the centre focus sensor/ (See your manual to set this option). Then it will only focus usin that centre spot.</p>