auto-focus problem with night / low-light shots (Fuji Finepix S3000)

Hi,

I sometimes face this problem of not getting my shot auto-focused
while attempting night shots or low-light shots. I would be taking the
shot at F2.8 or "Night Shot" mode where shutter speed would be slow
enough hence the result indeed is always brightly illuminated. But
since my Fuji S3000 tries to auto-focus before actually shooting the
frame - the light level at that time won't be adequate for the camera
sensor to auto-focus.

I have this work-around which works 70% of time - where I take the
first shot with full flash and hence the lens focal-lenght & aperture
is atleast autoset to nearest optimum level. And my second shot
without flash comes a bit satisfactory. However I still see this as a
laymen workaround.

Anyway to workout this problem. Shouldn't this problem occuring for
all digital cameras with no-manual focus & poor in-built low-light
auto-focus?

Thanks in advance.
Amit

 

Yes

 

My Coolpix 4300 is the same. Only on "night portrait" will the pics come out
sharp. The other option is to shine a torch on you subject while it focuses -
not always an option. Actually my SLR (Nikon F80) although it has auto-focus
assist beam, still struggles if subject is not real close.