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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Eos 300D - soft focus issues
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 12/15/2003 03:48:38 PM · #1
Any 300D users find the focus to be on the soft side? I am using the stock lens that comes with the 300D and also a cannon 75-300 zoom (not the usm). Shots with both seem to be on the soft side not as sharp as i would expect.

Any input welcome

Mike


12/15/2003 03:52:30 PM · #2
Maybe related to this? There are two or three articles there that go into detail about the 10D AF. I assume the 300D has identical AF processing.
 12/15/2003 03:56:18 PM · #3
Mike,

Have you tried changing the parameters in the camera to automatically sharpen the images? Normally the 10D has a soft focus before using USM but often I found that I wanted to sharpen at least 1x inside the camera and, if I was going to be where I wouldn't have use of a computer (like when I photo'ed about 300 kids getting to meet Santa) I chose to sharpen the images as much as possible and I punched up the contrast one level. It should be in your menu under Parameters and you should be able to choose Setup under Parameters to setup sharpening.

Kev
 12/15/2003 03:56:18 PM · #4
Thanks Dale, thats interesting and would explain a lot. I dont know for certain if the 300D and 10D use the same AF Sensor.

Mike


12/15/2003 03:59:53 PM · #5
Hi Kev, I did up the sharpness by 1x today and went out and shot loads in various modes. I am also using a tripod with remote cable release. I did not see any noticeable improvement. What sharpness setting would you recommend?

thanks
Mike


12/15/2003 04:04:15 PM · #6
It could be AF error, but tmore than likely is a function of the glass used. You can confirm whether there is AF error by performing some of the "measurbation" tests referred to in earlier threads. This consists of shooting a tape measure at an angle, focusing on a know spot and looking at the result to see where the focus point actually is.
If AF is working properly, try shooting a high-contrast, detailed subject with camera on tripod, flash illuminatiion, and lens stopped down from max aperture by preferrably two stops. you will likely get much sharper results than wide open.
I have this issue with my Canon 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 lens. It can produce excellent images, but not wide open, and typically not at either extreme of the zoom range.
I have the opposite issue with my 50mm f/1.4, which back-focuses dramatically and will be going in to Canon soon.
 12/15/2003 04:12:21 PM · #7
Thanks for this thread, and thanks dwoolridge for the link. I have found that most of the shots I have taken with my 10D seem to be quite soft, and I was becoming concerned that something was wrong with 1.)the camera, 2.) the lens, 3.) me. I did not know that this was an issue with the 10D.
 12/15/2003 04:16:03 PM · #8
Dont think it is an AF as I get the same results with manual focusing as well but thanks for the tips. When i look at some of my shots taken with the 300D and look at comparible shots taken with my Fuji 602Z the focus is a lot sharper.

Here is an example of one I took this morning, the colour is good and it is in focus but...well have a look and tell me what you think.
This is straight out of the camera no adjustments apart from the size.

Mike





Message edited by author 2003-12-15 16:26:47.
 12/15/2003 04:28:28 PM · #9
you probably have at least 3 issues here:

1) shallower DOF at a given f/stop on a DSLR may make it look like more of the picture is out of focus.

2) Far less in-camera sharpening even at 'extreme' settings than a non-DSLR camera. Canon DSLR's are known for their low sharpening so that you can sharpen it yourself to taste.

3) The lack of grain or noise gives the illusion of a soft imaged, even when it has an incredibly high degree of detail (as shown by the tests on dpreview). Believe it or not, grain or noise increases the PERCEPTION of sharpness, even if it does not actually increase detail.

I think it would be helpful if you posted some of the pics you feel are 'unexpectedly soft'. That would help with evaluating the situation. Camera shake also makes a huge difference with these cameras.


12/15/2003 04:30:00 PM · #10
The image of the swan looks like the issue is shallow depth of focus. His head looks very sharp, the rest is outside the focal plane.


12/15/2003 04:32:45 PM · #11
Thanks for input mag - Exif data is
File Name
113_1370.JPG
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL
Shooting Date/Time
15/12/2003 11:33:59
Shooting Mode
Manual
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/2000
Av( Aperture Value )
5.6
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
ISO Speed
400
Lens
75.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image Size
3072x2048
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
AI Focus AF
Parameters
Contrast Normal
Sharpness +1
Color saturation Normal
Color tone Normal
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
2307KB
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting
Owner's Name
Camera Body No.
0670101173


i will put some up on my website and post a link here later. As these are large files I hope you folks have broadband!

thanks
Mike

Message edited by author 2003-12-15 16:42:04.
 12/17/2003 05:01:40 PM · #12
OK - I have added just a few photos to my website (see link below) - they are under the heading EOS 300D - These are original straight out of the camera with no processing. They are quite large files so unless you have broadband/cable/E1/T1 lines etc then it may be advisable to leave well alone!
Comments/observations etc most welcome

thanks for taking the time and trouble

Mike


12/17/2003 05:45:04 PM · #13
Through my research on the 300D [since I'm dying to own one] the only complaints have been about the focus. However, take it to an expert photographer and they'll have no probs, it really is a user issue. I was reading the manual yesterday and it describes how to deal with this and any other situation you can think of.
 12/17/2003 05:55:09 PM · #14
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Through my research on the 300D [since I'm dying to own one] the only complaints have been about the focus. However, take it to an expert photographer and they'll have no probs, it really is a user issue. I was reading the manual yesterday and it describes how to deal with this and any other situation you can think of.


Hi GoldBerry.
I'm not aware of any major focusing issues and the 300-D. I've found the Canon glass to be excellent. I think any complaints are coming from folks asking more from a particular lens then it can deliver. I'm guilty of the same. With all new things it takes time to learn the limits of each lens/camera/shutter speeds etc. Hopefully you can get your hands on one an play with the setting and take a few shots to get the feel of how it works. Good luck.
 12/17/2003 06:27:09 PM · #15
try using a lower ISO if possible
also at 300mm a tripod should be used unless you have a real steady hand

either of those things will affect the sharpness some

i have no complaints with my camera - so far
but only own the kit lens

12/18/2003 08:01:57 AM · #16
Used a tripod
Used a lower ISO
Using Canon lenses

I will be out and about this weekend and trying different settings etc. Its more than likely something i am doing wrong.Doh!

Thanks everyone

Mike


12/18/2003 08:36:51 AM · #17
There is a thread in foruns, that I can´t found at now, talking about the Cannon pre-processing on camera. This thread shows that Cannon apply low camera processing to images. That is sharpening, color improvement (contrast levels) and some other things on Cannon 10D. The explanations is that Cannon makes this camera to professional use that only requires a post precessing, like the film requires revelation process. I´m not sure if Cannon EOS-300D had the same issues, once it is a prosumer market targeted product. But in your description I saw very similar issues to that explained.
If I had some time will find this thread to you.

Message edited by author 2003-12-18 08:38:27.
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