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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon 50D Focus problem?
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 11/17/2008 05:59:44 PM · #1
I have been experimenting with my 50D, and it sometimes does not focus as sharply as I would like. It seems to do pretty good at a fast shutter speed and low ISO, but I have tried some longer exposures using a tripod at ISO 100, and it comes out blurry--even using the timer which should take care of camera shake. I have also tried some fast shutter speeds hand held at ISO 500 to 1200 and been less than pleased. Is there a setting I am missing, or some trick I don't know about? (I'm shooting in JPEG, at least until I get all the settings figured out)
 11/17/2008 06:22:51 PM · #2
do you have any images you can show us? I haven't experienced the focus issues, but haven't really given my 50D a great workout yet either ...
 11/17/2008 06:42:49 PM · #3
Hand held ISO 2500 1/60sec

on tripod ISO 100 10sec

I used my macro today, and did not seem to get as good a result as I did with my Rebel. (I can't show anything because one is entered in the Puzzle Macro challenge)
 11/17/2008 06:57:50 PM · #4
I've been of the mindset that 1/60 isn't a super fast shutter speed and you can get some blur when handholding at that speed ... but the one on a tripod should definitely be sharp. Did you get the 50D as a kit with the 28-135? Do you have prior experience with that lens? Have you done any tests with the Rebel and that lens to compare it to the 50D? I wish I could see the macro shots ... you might want to do a controlled test and take one image with the Rebel/Macro combo and then take the same shot with the 50D/Macro combo ... that should give you something to compare to and might help address any issues ...
 11/17/2008 07:08:27 PM · #5
Originally posted by chaimelle:
Hand held ISO 2500 1/60sec

on tripod ISO 100 10sec

I used my macro today, and did not seem to get as good a result as I did with my Rebel. (I can't show anything because one is entered in the Puzzle Macro challenge)


Did you forget to turn the IS off for the tripod shot?
 11/17/2008 07:09:02 PM · #6
I thought about doing that today but didn't have time. I haven't used the kit lens before, but I plan on trying it on the Rebel. I just wondered if I was missing some kind of setting.
 11/17/2008 07:10:20 PM · #7
Also, was it windy? How sturdy is your tripod?
 11/17/2008 07:15:23 PM · #8
Have you tried calibrating the lens on the camera?
 11/17/2008 07:30:03 PM · #9
I am certainly not an expert but maybe some of these observations may help.
First of all, I just got the 50D myself and am extremely pleased with it. One thing I found was that it likes to chose it's own ISO, i.e., it seems to yield a much better image than when I chose the ISO. Secondly, I am guessing that the lighting (lack of it) in both cases is playing a large role in your image sharpness. Third, I agree with pamelasue that 1/60th is not a super fast speed. And, as for the tripod. . . no guarantee of sharpness especially outside. And finally, the color or tone of the overall picture is very flat (in both cases). I am guessing that the auto focus is having trouble setting up the focus. You have to remember that the 50D has more pixels which translates into showing up your choices of settings more dramatically.
These are some of the things I have come across , not only with the 50D, but also with my 10D which was notorious for soft focus. Not sure if I have helped but maybe I have hit on a few things you can look at.
Oh. One more item. Have you played with the different personal settings yet? Certainly would become familiar with that feature. I am liking my 50D more and more with each feature I play with. ((Although I am not as yet a fan of the live view.)

Message edited by author 2008-11-17 19:31:32.
 11/17/2008 07:34:28 PM · #10
One of my friends just got his 50D back from Canon after sending it for repairs.
He had a severe back-focusing problem, but only with the 17-85mm lens. They fixed it super quick, and it now works like a charm.
Not saying that you've got the same issue... I'm just throwing it out there. Might be worth a support call.
 11/17/2008 07:54:42 PM · #11
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Also, was it windy? How sturdy is your tripod?


It was windy, but that was a wall. Tripod is very sturdy.
 11/17/2008 07:56:53 PM · #12
Originally posted by Kaveran:
Have you tried calibrating the lens on the camera?


I have never heard of this. How do you do it?
 11/17/2008 08:01:52 PM · #13
Originally posted by drydoc:
I am certainly not an expert but maybe some of these observations may help.
First of all, I just got the 50D myself and am extremely pleased with it. One thing I found was that it likes to chose it's own ISO, i.e., it seems to yield a much better image than when I chose the ISO. Secondly, I am guessing that the lighting (lack of it) in both cases is playing a large role in your image sharpness. Third, I agree with pamelasue that 1/60th is not a super fast speed. And, as for the tripod. . . no guarantee of sharpness especially outside. And finally, the color or tone of the overall picture is very flat (in both cases). I am guessing that the auto focus is having trouble setting up the focus. You have to remember that the 50D has more pixels which translates into showing up your choices of settings more dramatically.
These are some of the things I have come across , not only with the 50D, but also with my 10D which was notorious for soft focus. Not sure if I have helped but maybe I have hit on a few things you can look at.
Oh. One more item. Have you played with the different personal settings yet? Certainly would become familiar with that feature. I am liking my 50D more and more with each feature I play with. ((Although I am not as yet a fan of the live view.)


I haven't let it choose the ISO. It didn't seem to have any problems focusing. The lighting wasn't great, and both photos were mostly just tests. Haven't played with the settings much yet.
 11/17/2008 08:21:39 PM · #14
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
[Did you forget to turn the IS off for the tripod shot?


That's a question worth noting.
 11/17/2008 08:45:45 PM · #15
Originally posted by chaimelle:
Originally posted by Kaveran:
Have you tried calibrating the lens on the camera?


I have never heard of this. How do you do it?


Read your manual. It's one of the great features of the 50D over the 40D and earlier. I haven't done it myself but I have read about it. It's a menu setting and it involves doing test shots while varying a built-in parameter. You do it for each lens in your arsenal and the camera stores the data and autmatically sets itself correctly when you switch lenses.

R.
 11/17/2008 09:08:48 PM · #16
Originally posted by chaimelle:
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
Also, was it windy? How sturdy is your tripod?


It was windy, but that was a wall. Tripod is very sturdy.


The wall won't move in the wind, your camera/lens/tripod will. And it appears to have done so.
 08/19/2009 12:11:04 PM · #17
hello,
I just bought a 50d with the 18-200 ef-s, and I feel exactly the same as you regarding the softness of my images (whatever the mode).
I know that this lens is not a ff lens but i 'd expected more from my camera.
By the time you posted, did you find any solution on that ?
thanks in advance for your feed back
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