Issues with 20D kit lens? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

07/04/2006 11:03:26 PM · #1

I'm noticing that my photos are not real sharp and I don't know if it is the 20D not focusing correctly or the kit lens that came with the camera (EF-S 18-55). I shoot in RAW on the highest quality setting. I usually use autofocus, but occasionally use manual with the same results. Zoomed out the images look good, but zoomed in at 100% they are not sharp at all. I've enlarged a few to 8x12 and they really don't look good.

My question is this: Is this a cheap lens issue, is there something up with the camera or is this going to be as sharp as I can get?

Here's an image zoomed and cropped to 100%. It just seems like it should be sharper.

1/125
f/8
100 ISO

Thanks everyone!

breadfan35

Nikon D3

07/04/2006 11:09:10 PM · #2

Probably a cheap lens issue. I hear Canon Kits lenses are crap. But that's just what I hear. I don't KNOW for sure.

Go Nikon. ;-P

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/04/2006 11:13:51 PM · #3

Nope not a lens issue, or at least not a lens issue by itself. Actually their kit lens that comes with the 20D is inexpensive but really takes pretty darn good pics. Go look at the pics taken by this lens here at DPC and you will see it does a great job. Canon does have a problem with the focus on new 20D's. There are several people on DPC and a few even here in San Antonio TX that have had to send them back to Canon for repair. Canon will not admit there is an issue but most definately there is. Call Canon, send both the body and lens it, they will match and calibrate them together. Borrow another lens and see if you can get better results. Don't immediately throw the kit lens away, it won 2nd place for me last year in the Texas State Fair.

your photo looks too dark, that added noise to it also. What setting did you use, "P" or a program mode?

Message edited by author 2006-07-04 23:15:16.

07/04/2006 11:18:40 PM · #4

a good trick to look lens sharpnes is, take a pic with flash to a book with some words then look the results in the pc, if you zoom at 50% and is not sharp, maybe you have a a problem

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

07/04/2006 11:24:26 PM · #5

Originally posted by wee_ag:

My question is this: Is this a cheap lens issue, is there something up with the camera or is this going to be as sharp as I can get?

Now I know the sharpness of the lens plays a good role on sharpness of the image, but your sample pic posted is ridiculous even for a kit lens! If you have any other lens besides the kit, you should try it and conclude whether your AF is faulty.

07/04/2006 11:25:55 PM · #6

Originally posted by PhantomEWO:

I shoot nearly everything in 'P', including this shot. That part of the photo was in the shade, here's the rest of the image.

07/04/2006 11:27:49 PM · #7

you have no problems man, remeber its only a 8 mega pixel camara not a hassel :)

07/04/2006 11:28:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by crayon:

Originally posted by wee_ag:
My question is this: Is this a cheap lens issue, is there something up with the camera or is this going to be as sharp as I can get?

Now I know the sharpness of the lens plays a good role on sharpness of the image, but your sample pic posted is ridiculous even for a kit lens! If you have any other lens besides the kit, you should try it and conclude whether your AF is faulty.

"ridiculous"? I don't understand... Is there something better that would help that I could post?

I have a Tamron AF 70-300 that gives similar results at max zoom.

Message edited by author 2006-07-04 23:33:07.

07/04/2006 11:29:46 PM · #9

relax man, i havea question about your pic did you went wide angle?

07/04/2006 11:31:37 PM · #10

Originally posted by renefunk:

you have no problems man, remeber its only a 8 mega pixel camara not a hassel :)

Well, yes it is only 8MP but I've blown up some to 8x10 and they were not sharp. I wouldn't have gotten the camera if I knew it couldn't do 8x10's. I thought they were well within it's range.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

07/04/2006 11:32:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by wee_ag:

"ridiculous"? What do you mean? Is there something better for me to post?I have a Tamron AF 70-300 that gives similar results at max zoom.

I mean "ridiculous" as in the sharpness, none of it your fault!
I really suspect your 20D has focusing issues. And since you mentioned that your Tamron (alternate lens) gives similar results, it further reinforces the fact that you should send your 20D body in for service.

07/04/2006 11:34:36 PM · #12

Originally posted by crayon:

Originally posted by wee_ag:
"ridiculous"? What do you mean? Is there something better for me to post?I have a Tamron AF 70-300 that gives similar results at max zoom.

I mean "ridiculous" as in the sharpness, none of it your fault!
I really suspect your 20D has focusing issues. And since you mentioned that your Tamron (alternate lens) gives similar results, it further reinforces the fact that you should send your 20D body in for service.

:( I really don't like that solution... I need my camera - it's my source of income!

Dennis T

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/04/2006 11:34:47 PM · #13

Originally posted by wee_ag:

Well, yes it is only 8MP but I've blown up some to 8x10 and they were not sharp. I wouldn't have gotten the camera if I knew it couldn't do 8x10's. I thought they were well within it's range.

It'll easily do 8x10's.

Message edited by author 2006-07-04 23:35:08.

07/04/2006 11:35:04 PM · #14

Originally posted by renefunk:

relax man, i havea question about your pic did you went wide angle?

The shot was taken at max wide angle on the kit lens.

07/04/2006 11:36:26 PM · #15

as i told makea test, but with flat suspects, walls magazines dont know somthing flat with detail, then use only 50 mm ,the 18 55 is really bad wide open use at 55 make the test to something near you take it with flash and tripod, you should get a 87% sharp image (cause the lens)

07/04/2006 11:37:08 PM · #16

Originally posted by wee_ag:

Originally posted by renefunk:
relax man, i havea question about your pic did you went wide angle?

The shot was taken at max wide angle on the kit lens.

that lens is very bad wide open
i made some test before with bad results

Message edited by author 2006-07-04 23:38:01.

07/04/2006 11:40:10 PM · #17

Originally posted by renefunk:

Originally posted by wee_ag:

Originally posted by renefunk:
relax man, i havea question about your pic did you went wide angle?

The shot was taken at max wide angle on the kit lens.

that lens is very bad wide open

Ah, good to know. I'll give the 55mm test a try.

Thanks!

07/04/2006 11:43:02 PM · #18

no problem

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/05/2006 01:16:21 AM · #19

The 20D can easily do 16x20 prints with no problems. I still don't think it's the lens. Your first pic example is an extreme crop, it will look fuzzy at that crop. Also check your settings on the menu. RAW is RAW but if JPG make sure it has at least halfway sharpening, contrast, brightness. Just experiment or call Canon. Normally Canon takes about two weeks. OR send it back to where you bought it and ask for another one. Good luck

07/24/2006 05:32:40 PM · #20

I'm back... I just want to make sure I'm not expecting more than I should from the camera... Can any other 20D owners throw up an image taken in RAW cropped at 100% so I can compare how sharp mine is?

It's happening on any lense I use (tried 4 different ones)..

Thanks!!

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/24/2006 05:34:55 PM · #21

wich lenses did you use?

mist

Canon EOS-60D

07/24/2006 05:51:56 PM · #22

Originally posted by wee_ag:

I'm back... I just want to make sure I'm not expecting more than I should from the camera... Can any other 20D owners throw up an image taken in RAW cropped at 100% so I can compare how sharp mine is?

Sure

100% crop of a shot taken hand-held with the kit lens wide open.

Message edited by author 2006-07-24 17:52:18.

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/24/2006 05:53:59 PM · #23

In your preferences up the sharpness. That's how I resolved the soft focus problem with the kit lens.

07/24/2006 05:59:38 PM · #24

looks ok ( thats the real thing)