Focus Problems- Canon Users Help!

01/12/2010 04:02:53 PM · #1

I've been a nikonian since the start but I was recently hired by a company that gave me a Canon 40D and requires me to use it- But I can't for the life of me get a clear f**king shot. I'm agitated enough not using my go to gear (although thankful it'll be avoiding the wear and tear) and struggling with a camera that is surprisingly backwards. Not being able to get a clear shot is just killing me.

I took this quick shot with my trusty nikon and a bounced flash (ISO 200, 200, F7.1)

I then took a series of photographs with the new camera at the same settings, also with a bounced flash. I tried turning the IS on the lens on and off, Tried all four of the metering modes, and both One shot focusing and AI Focus AF. This was the absolute clearest shot I could get! I have no idea what else to try.

I updated the firmware last night in the hopes that it was a glitch or something and cleaned the sensor as best I could. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Does anyone have any ideas? Also whats up with the WB? That wall is sea-foam green.

On a different note- Photoshop doesn't open Canon's raw images?? I'm confused about that one entirely. Change is hard man.

albc28

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/12/2010 04:15:04 PM · #2

I don't see either of the images you posted. You may want to make sure that your viewfinder is in focus with what you are actually capturing. Also check to see where your focus point is at (center, left, top, all, etc). Is the lense clean...auto or manual focus? I don't have a 40D so I'm not completely sure.

Photoshop doesn't really process canon raw images. You need a utility like Adobe Camera Raw, DPP (I can't think of the name right now) or something similar and then convert it to TIFF or some photoshop file.

ps...this is why you should vote Canon shooters higher lol.

01/12/2010 04:19:11 PM · #3

A few questions:
- What lens are you using, and what aperture setting?
- What lens are you using with the D200?
- Have you tried shooting a crude focus test, like focusing on a small object on a table top and looking at whether the object winds up centered in the DoF?
- Are you sure you're not seeing camera shake (although if you are lighting mainly with flash it seems unlikely)

With regard to Ps and Canon RAW files, you will need to update Adobe Camera RAW (ACR). If your version is not recognizing the 40D, you have *quite* an old version of ACR. this is an issue with *all* cameras, not just Canon. RAW formats are proprietary, and RAW converters must be constantly updated to deal with them.

01/12/2010 04:29:53 PM · #4

In both images the focus point is on the dates on the calendar. I did play with the focus in the viewfinder and although it's hard for me to tell if it's dead on it shouldn't matter for automatic focusing.

Both shots were taken at f/7.1
The D200 has a 18-70mm 3.5 lens on it
The 40D is a 28-135mm 3.5 IS

I haven't run a test for focusing on close objects but I know from the bit I have shot with this camera that the problem seems to come worst when you put 4 feet between you and the subject (Since I'm a portrait photographer thats sort of where I need to get it fixed)
and at a shutter speed of 200 camera shake shouldn't be an issue... the D200 handled it fine.

01/12/2010 04:30:48 PM · #5

Nikon

Canon

Message edited by author 2010-01-12 16:31:49.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

01/12/2010 05:16:15 PM · #6

No ideas?
I take it that means something is wrong... If you had to guess- camera or lens?

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

01/12/2010 05:24:54 PM · #7

did you try the shot on a tripod? That would take you out of the equation in case it is camera shake.
did you check to see if the lens was switched accidentally to manual focus instead of auto focus?
Are you shooting one-shot or AI servo? If you're shooting servo, it will take the shot, even if it can't find the focus. If you're on one shot, it has to find focus before shooting.
Do you have a different lens to try to see if it's the camera or the lens?

01/12/2010 05:35:51 PM · #8

@nd picture almost looks like a lens baby shot.

01/12/2010 05:37:35 PM · #9

Originally posted by WickedB:

No ideas?
I take it that means something is wrong... If you had to guess- camera or lens?

We're not seeing any images posted to your original post, so we're kind of shooting in the dark, so to speak ;-)
I am thinking it's a focus issue. The 28-135 should give very good results at f/7.1, and your shutter speed seems high enough, as confirmed by the good results with the D200.
Do a focus test, make sure the lens is focusing where you think it is.

01/12/2010 05:38:19 PM · #10

Ah, I see why we aren't seeing the photos! We're behind a firewall, and the images are on a site that's in the no-fly zone.

Message edited by author 2010-01-12 17:40:11.

01/12/2010 05:39:37 PM · #11

Use the Nikon and change the EXIF into a Canon :p

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/12/2010 05:41:16 PM · #12

Originally posted by faidoi:

Use the Nikon and change the EXIF into a Canon :p

LOL, erm yep, and "get a Mac" to edit it, right?

scarbrd

Leica M10

01/12/2010 05:52:42 PM · #13

can you try a different lens? Looks like someone dropped the lens and the elements are out of alignment.

or there is a serious dust problem on the sensor.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/12/2010 05:56:03 PM · #14

I wont be able to use a tripod out in the field so the wouldn't really solve the problem much.
I only have the one canon lens so thats a no go.
The lens does seem to be focusing on the right thing (if I swing to the left it'll re-focus on the bookshelf no problem, also it's def on autofocus.

I tried both one-shot and AI servo. One shot is the one posted below- it's where I got the best result.

Sigh...at least I can conclude that it's not me.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

01/12/2010 05:59:06 PM · #15

These are exactly the same results I got when testing a D300 and Canon 40D, there just seems to be a problem with the focusing. The salesman told me it was okay, but I wasn't happy with the Canon so I bought the Nikon. Perhaps, if I'd had more time to adjust the Canon, the problem might have been solved.

I think you need to have centre focus point to start. Try a different Canon lens. And try using Auto mode, P, A and S modes to compare pics.

01/12/2010 07:17:49 PM · #16

I went through all of the automatic settings and played with the a few more shots at 200, 7.1. The automatic settings weren't that helpful. focusing more dead center on the calendar was however. For instance if I focused on the 13th- I could get a solid sharp shot of it at 7.1/200 but the last week on the calendar started to blur. It really does look like a lens baby lens- soo freaking bizarre.

I suppose before when I had the focus set off to the left for some reason it was working against itself and nothing was in focus.

Message edited by author 2010-01-12 19:18:55.

01/12/2010 07:26:37 PM · #17

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Use the Nikon and change the EXIF into a Canon :p

LOL, erm yep, and "get a Mac" to edit it, right?

If the company also requires it.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/12/2010 07:27:20 PM · #18

Have you tried without the IS on? What does the company have you shooting? Unless it's a calendar on a wall the infomation could mean nothing. Diopter adjustment ok?

Message edited by author 2010-01-12 19:32:42.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

01/12/2010 08:15:32 PM · #19

For opening the files, you'll need at least PS CS3 to open the files as the ACR plugin that includes the 40D only works with CS3 or later.

Could it be that you're too close to the subject? What focal length are you set at?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/12/2010 08:22:39 PM · #20

I'm shooting family portraits- if the group is big enough I'll be filling the frame.

I already found the plugin I'll need for photoshop so that was pretty easy.

I tried it with and without IS but to be honest saw little to no difference. Of course my test doesn't really exploit the use of it. I've left it on anyways.

I'm not sure what you mean by "diopter adjustment", how do I check that?

JCDean

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/12/2010 08:23:14 PM · #21

I agree with

scarbrd, it looks like the lens is the problem. The right side of the calendar is sharper than the left side.
Can you manually focus?
Also, try a shot of a bunch of stuff on a table with items at different distances. That way we can see depth of field.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

01/12/2010 08:31:08 PM · #22

A couple of things come to mind for me.
First, have you tried a different lens yet?
Second, some of the Canon cameras have a lot of grease around the sensor. It's possible that there is some of that on the sensor. Have a look at it, by reflecting a good strong light off the sensor and see if you can see anything on it. If you have cleaned the sensor, that could easily be the problem.

JCDean

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

01/12/2010 08:35:40 PM · #23

The diopter is the little wheel you can adjust at the top right of the viewfinder.
Adjust it until the numbers in the bottom of the viewfinder are nice and sharp. It wont change autofocus at all but it will allow you to accurately attempt a manually focused shot.

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

01/12/2010 08:36:55 PM · #24

I agree that I think you have a bad copy. Here is a shot at 1/20, ISO 200, F3.5, handheld, in manual exposure with autofocus.

eta: absolutely nothing done other than resize and save at about 190k. The exif should be intact.

Message edited by author 2010-01-12 20:38:10.