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12/10/2005 12:15:12 AM · #1 |
I just got my new Canon 50mm F/1.8 lens on Wednesday, and I've been having some problems with the autofocus. Is this normal?
The autofocus does actually do its job - some of the time. Sometimes the switch will be in the 'AF' position, but it still won't get the focus if I hold the shutter half down... but it will if I jiggle it between auto and manual. Would I be able to return the lens to B&H because of that?
Even when the autofocus works, it seems not to work as well as that of the 18-55mm kit lens. In relatively low light (indoors or outdoors at night, basically any shot that I'd use 1/50th, ISO 1600 and F/1.8 for) it doesn't work at all - the kit lens seemed to work better in lighting like this.
Could the circular polarizer I bought at the same time be causing the focus problems? I've had the filter on the lens most of the time, but I tried it without the filter on and it didn't seem to autofocus any better.
I wouldn't mind manual focus so much, but the dial doesn't seem very precise, and it's hard to turn when the filter is installed. And at 1.8 or so, not much is in focus anyway so it has to be just right...
Other owners of this lens - is this typical for it? Should I just learn to live with flaky autofocus and use manual (which has already made me ruin a few shots) when speed is an issue?
And more importantly, is the Tamron 28-75mm lens any better for autofocus? What about the Canon 70-200mm 4.0L?
Thanks
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12/10/2005 12:18:02 AM · #2 |
I'm not aware of any focus problems like you've described as being "native" to the 50mm 1.8. I'm sure we'd have heard if they were. So I'd guess, back to B&H. To answer your other question, the Tammy 28-75mm focuses like a dream :-)
R. |
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12/10/2005 12:19:56 AM · #3 |
My Canon 50mm focuses real well. Sounds like you got a lemon.
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12/10/2005 12:20:56 AM · #4 |
| Having to toggle between af and manual and "jiggle" is not normal. Send it back. |
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12/10/2005 12:26:54 AM · #5 |
I would agree that you have a problem. My 50mm is a dreamboat that I use for everything imaginable, and it never acts in such a fashion.
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12/10/2005 12:38:57 AM · #6 |
| The problems you described with this lens is not normal. |
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12/10/2005 12:43:05 AM · #7 |
I agree send it back. I have no problem with mine. It is possible that in low light AND with a C/P filter it may not be able to focus but definitely the toggling of the switch should not be necessary.
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12/10/2005 12:43:40 AM · #8 |
OK, thanks for the quick replies all. I'll contact B&H about a replacement now
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12/10/2005 03:33:32 AM · #9 |
| Never had a problem with my 50mm 1.8! I'd take it back to them. And I'll agree with bear_music....the Tamron 28-75 works like a dream! |
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12/10/2005 04:58:23 AM · #10 |
Maybe you're too close to the subject. This happens to me a lot actually, with the 18-55 since it's a wide angle there's isn't too much difficulty with the focusing but when I switch to the 50mm I can never get the distances right and have a heck of a time arranging myself or my subject.
I don't know about the low light situation though.
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12/28/2005 11:41:19 AM · #11 |
Mine does this too. I find that switching into "green box" exposure mode wakes it up. Back to B&H it goes!
-TM |
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12/28/2005 12:35:04 PM · #12 |
Just bought mine and its super fine! No problem at all. Send it back.
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12/28/2005 01:44:41 PM · #13 |
Send it back, but only after you "reproduce" the behavior without the polarizer filter on it. Once you get the AF/MF switch into the position where it does not focus, unscrew the polarizer and try focusing again.
You'd hate to have it back as NTF.
edit: this was 2 weeks ago. Did you get another one from b&h?
Message edited by author 2005-12-28 13:45:23. |
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12/28/2005 09:41:16 PM · #14 |
Actually, after using it some more, the problem with the switch seems to have subsided.. I'm pretty sure it wasn't user error, and the focus switch still seems crappy, but I can live with it since it at least works now.. most of the time. But it's not a good lens for stuff I need to capture quickly anyway, I can take my time and focus it manually if i have to.. and I'm buying the Tamron 28-75mm in five days.
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