How to spot 10D autofocus problem on the spot

[lightandlife]

If you are happy with your 10D, ignore this message. But if you are not sure or if you are getting one soon, here is a quick and dirty test on the spot.

1. Install Canon file viewing program that comes with 10D in a laptop at the store.
2. Shoot any horizontal or vertical lines at 45 degree angle (30 - 60 degrees acceptable), but lines of writing are better than just straight lines to detect the spot where the image is sharpest.
3. Using widest aperture and central focus, take 10 shots. No tripod needed. (It leaves a scar on the thread of a new camera, and you may not be able to return it) If there was a camera shake, it will be blurred everywhere.
4. Use Canon's file viewing program to see where the image is sharpest in each shot. If it is sharp at the center, there is no problem. If the image is sharper in areas closer to the photographer (regardless of the location of the sharp spot relative to the center) than at the central focusing point, say 7 out of 10 shots, you have a front focus problem. In the opposite case, you have a back focus problem. Once or twice? Keep testing until you can confirm your hypothesis. If it passes, ask for 3 days to test when you buy it.

Here is a smaple shot that illustrates the focusing problem. It takes a while (I don't know how to shrink it)
http://www.pbase.com/lightandlife/10dautofocus

In the sample shot, the word "G2000" was the target or center, but the image was sharper six lines below, just above the bottom focusing point, an example of front focusing.

I returned the camera to the shop in Hong Kong, and got another, which also had this problem. I got a refund.
It is quite possible that Canon shipped a bad batch to Asia. Anyway, I am heading back to America.

[photography By Evangelos]

What software are you talking abought? And were in the software dose it show were you were focused? Or is it just the EXIF dada which says what A/F piont you had it on?

[lightandlife]

Canon 10D comes with 2 discs, one of which is Canon software designed to facilitate transmission of photos to computers. Install that disc first. It will install all the programs, including Zoom browser and Canon file viewing program. The latter is useful, because it shows the 7 focusing points (rather squares) of any shot, in addition to EXIF. The other disc is Photoshop Elements, I think.

I clearly remember which word I had focused, and it was at the center of the central focusing square, which you can see with Canon program, but not with any other programs, including Photoshop.

The focusing problem is not visible in the camera's LCD screen even if you use the maximum magnification.

[Littlebike]

I did this test, kinda. I am not sure I have a problem or not so I am going to set it up on a tripod so I can know the angle is identical in multiple frames.

I dont know if I have a problem mostly because it is 1:30am and I am extremely tired right now.

[lightandlife]

Don't jump to a quick conclusion! It is only a quick and dirty test, not perfect!

If you already bought it, a tripod is better. If not, put the camera on a table top or something sturdy. Neither would eliminate the camera movement which occurs between the time the shutter is being pressed and the shot is actually taken. If the latter, it is a user problem and you would have noticed it before 10D.

If it is on a table top, first find the aim by half pressing the shutter. Once you found the aim, do not press it further to get the shot, because it involves a second movement when you further press it. Just release it. Then press the shutter fully in one action. If the aim was at the center focus, there was little camera movement. If the aim was not at the center focusing square, then one must have shaken the camera while the shutter was being pushed. (Perhaps one should use 10 second delayed shooting.)

In the worst case, I hear it requires a slight adjustment in the inards. So relax. Once it is adjusted, it should work fine. I just wanted to get one that works. I had to return two because they could not fix the problem in one week.

Whenever the situation looks depressing, I recommend a nap. The outlook is much better when mind is refreshed. It is only a small problem, and there is always a solution! Imagine how boring life would be without these small nagging problems.

[Littlebike]

I already have a tripod and the way around the "finger effect" of pressing the shutter would be to set the camera to timer mode so the camera has 10 seconds to settle down. I do this whenever I want to use an extended exposure since I do not have a remote release yet.

I'm not freaking out, yet. I am lucky in that I have a very good friend who owns a Camera Store that does repair. If I find a prblem I will then turn it over to him to let him do some testing since he has all the requisite targets.

None the less. I am somewhat enjoying the exercise though I somewhat fear the results. eitherway, it is worth it to find out if everything is on target.