20D Focus Problems - DPChallenge Forums

Best-Buy Easy Point & Click

03/08/2005 06:03:43 PM · #1

I am sorry if this is a duplicate post, but I couldn't find previous mention in my search.

I am having trouble focusing with my 20D. I have tried very high end L lenses and the problem persists. I cannot achieve focus of a person's eyes 75% or more of the time. I get their eye lashes, their skin, their hair... something a tiny bit closer or something further, but not the actual thing I am focusing on.

Have any of you experienced this? If so, what did you do to correct the problem? Have you contacted Canon? Do they help you? If so, how do they help?

nfessel

03/08/2005 06:07:57 PM · #2

What's your aperture? How close are you to the subject? What is the lighting? Is there enough lighting? How out of focus are the eyes? Are you using the manual setting on the camera to focus? Maybe try manually focusing i.e. turn off autofocus.

Message edited by author 2005-03-08 18:09:15.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

03/08/2005 06:17:12 PM · #3

It might be front focussing. To be sure, shoot a regular scene with your Camera on a tripod and using the Timer release or remote.

03/08/2005 06:26:00 PM · #4

Yes yes yes, tried everything. I can focus fine manually, but the auto-focus never works (and for weddings, you need the auto focus to work). With moving subjects, you want the auto-focus to work.

I use all manual settings, other than auto-focus. I even tried setting the proper AF points, it doesn't matter, can't get focus. I am near, far, perfectly distanced... that's not the problem. I have tried a tripod, tried handholding at 250' with f11 and f3.5. I have actually tried everything! I have had a friend check out my camera (he has the 1ds) and he can't even get good focus using his lenses on my camera.

I just called Canon. They want me to send it in. I can't be without it... what will I do?!!!!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

03/08/2005 06:27:22 PM · #5

It's front focussing, you will have to send it to Canon...

03/08/2005 10:37:40 PM · #6

It focuses on the wall behind the subject and also in front of the subject, but not always on the subject :(

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

03/08/2005 10:44:29 PM · #7

Download and print the chart on this page and try the tests as they have laid out on the page to see if you really have front/back focus issues.

Photo.net Focus Tests

gbautista87

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

03/08/2005 11:10:43 PM · #8

Bring it to a local authorized canon dealer and see what they have to say about it.

Or bring it to the place you bought it, maybe they can let you exchange it, if it is relatively new.

ebertdj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L

03/08/2005 11:12:48 PM · #9

I am sure you probably tried this - but try setting your focus poit to the center rather than the multiple points and see if it is more accurate - once and a while I get the same problem - but rare...