20 D + 24~70 f/2.8 - Out of focus

Antonio Correia

It happens often:
The picture is out of focus but the focusing point is correct.
Does this happen to you ?
Is something wrong with the lens ?
Is it a problem with the lens or with the 20 D ?

Shooting Mode Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/125
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 100
Lens 24.0 - 70.0mm

Antonio Correia

A crop of the picture
...

Bob Bell

looks like camera shake to me. Take those shots with a higer shutter spead 1/250 or faster.

Antonio Correia

Bob Bell wrote:

looks like camera shake to me. Take those shots with a higer shutter spead 1/250 or faster.

No. It happens many times. But ... you may be right.
Just in case I will check .
Thank you for the comment.
Regards

Khaos

I've heard of issues, but personally I haven't had any. My copy is sharp. However, if I don't use it in sunlight, I do normally use a flash for fill.

I will say that it does look to be a little low light, and possibly that may be the issue? AF doesn't always do the best job in low light.

Antonio Correia

Khaos wrote:

I've heard of issues, but personally I haven't had any. My copy is sharp. However, if I don't use it in sunlight, I do normally use a flash for fill.

I will say that it does look to be a little low light, and possibly that may be the issue? AF doesn't always do the best job in low light.

I must take care and shoot moving only the finger and not the camera. : May be I shooke the camera ...
Anyway I have the 16~35 f/2.8 and I will watch if the same thing happens.
It should not happen so often because it is a wide angle, or the wide angle is larger ...
Someone I know and using a 1 MKII and a copy of the 24~70 lens told me the auto-focus sometimes fail.
He even told me it was a Canon problem (??).
I've never read anything about it ...
This is very annoying !
Regards.

Scott_Quier

Antonio Correia wrote:

I must take care and shoot moving only the finger and not the camera. : May be I shooke the camera ...
Anyway I have the 16~35 f/2.8 and I will watch if the same thing happens.
It should not happen so often because it is a wide angle, or the wide angle is larger ...
Someone I know and using a 1 MKII and a copy of the 24~70 lens told me the auto-focus sometimes fail.
He even told me it was a Canon problem (??).
I've never read anything about it ...
This is very annoying !
Regards.

To test, I might suggest you mount camera/lens on a tripod and trigger the shutter by either using a shutter release cable or using the self-timer. Then, you also should user mirror lockup. Using all this, you can be sure you have eliminated most of the issues that cause camera shake. If you still have the focus problems, check differing light levels. Between all this, you will be able to isolate the cause of the Out-of-focus symptoms and be well prepared to either get service or improve your technique. Does this help you - I hope so.

Antonio Correia

Scott_Quier wrote:

To test, I might suggest you mount camera/lens on a tripod and trigger the shutter by either using a shutter release cable or using the self-timer. Then, you also should user mirror lockup. Using all this, you can be sure you have eliminated most of the issues that cause camera shake. If you still have the focus problems, check differing light levels. Between all this, you will be able to isolate the cause of the Out-of-focus symptoms and be well prepared to either get service or improve your technique. Does this help you - I hope so.

Thank you. It was of a good help.
Regards.

SpeshulEd

i haven't used this lens much yet, but there are a few of my pics that are a bit out of focus. But that could have been my fault too. I'll have to test it more and see if I'm having the same problem.

Antonio Correia

SpeshulEd wrote:

i haven't used this lens much yet, but there are a few of my pics that are a bit out of focus. But that could have been my fault too. I'll have to test it more and see if I'm having the same problem.

I sent it today to Canon-Lisbon to fix = 1 month !!
Regards.

Bob Bell

Antonio Correia wrote:

I sent it today to Canon-Lisbon to fix = 1 month !!
Regards.

Did you test it first? On a Tripod with a ruler at a 45 degree angle?

Most of the issues I have heard about regarding that lens is user erorr and recomposition.

Antonio Correia

Bob Bell wrote:

Did you test it first? On a Tripod with a ruler at a 45 degree angle?

Most of the issues I have heard about regarding that lens is user erorr and recomposition.

Yes. There was some pictures OOF unfortunaly ...

Bob Bell

Antonio Correia wrote:

Yes. There was some pictures OOF unfortunaly ...

That is really unfortunate. A month will seem like forever when waiting for a lens.

Antonio Correia

Bob Bell wrote:

That is really unfortunate. A month will seem like forever when waiting for a lens.

Indeed. And on the 19th am i going to Ireland...
BUT: I have the fantastic 16~35 f/2.8 L USM Canon to compensate !

SpeshulEd

Antonio Correia wrote:

I sent it today to Canon-Lisbon to fix = 1 month !!
Regards.

Argh. I'm going to have to play with it more this week and see whats up. I go out to Napa Valley next week and want to take this lens with me. However, maybe I shouldn't be using it as much if all of my pictures are going to be OOF.

Antonio Correia

SpeshulEd wrote:

Argh. I'm going to have to play with it more this week and see whats up. I go out to Napa Valley next week and want to take this lens with me. However, maybe I shouldn't be using it as much if all of my pictures are going to be OOF.

No. Your lens is a good copy and everything is going to be all right.
You will see that I am right.
Regards

SpeshulEd

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope so!

USAIR

This is my main lens use it quite a bit and love it.
I think you will put to to good use.

Fred