Reply To: okay, deep breath.

[IHF]

Oh, and as far as focus goes.  Look up focus in your user manual, and learn what all the AF settings can do for you.  Then test them out and learn them.  Learn how to select your focus, lock your focus, the whole bit.  Once you start taking charge of the AF you’ll feel much better about things and have sharper images.  As far as manual focus goes.  I also try to manually focus whenever possible.  It could be that your diopter needs to be set.  Another reason to get out the camera manual.