10D Focus problem

[tanneuby]

Today I noticed my auto-focus was not in focus. No matter if I was in single shot or servo, a single selected AF point or all. Each time I would get the confimation beep that focus was achieved, I would manualy fine tune it. My lens is a Canon 70-200 F/4. I was shooting in sunny daylight. I tried focusing on several stationary objects and everytime I was able to achieve better focus manualy then with AF. I even tried adjusting the dioptric dial just to see if that was messing with my eyes. Is there something wrong with my camera? or is this operator error?

[Roger_Cavanagh]

You should take separate pictures using AF and MF and then compare. If you are consistently getting better results with MF than AF, this does indicate your camera needs recalibration.

You should do a systematic test. This is what Canon Germany recommends:

http://www.rogercavanagh.com/helpinfo/23_focuscheck.htm

Regards,

[lightandlife]

Even if MF gives you sharper images than AF, it does not necessarily mean there is an AF problem. The question is how significant the difference is. You may have sharper eyes than others.

Try a simple test that can immediately tell you if there is a problem:
http://www.pbase.com/lightandlife

If you find a problem with this simple test, you should do a thorough test suggested by others.

[tanneuby]

OK, I did some tests and found that AF is spot on sharp when looked at on the computer. MF is front focus. But, I still have the problem of the image not looking in focus throught the viewfinder. Is there a correction to this or do I just learn to live with it and trust the AF? It seems that I should be able to us MF and still get clear pics??? (oh no, I've gone cross-eyed)

[defordphoto]

You'll never get your LCD to be a perfect picture editing quality viewer. It's for general use. You can, however, magnify the photo and then you'll have a better idea if they are in forcus, but you'll still never really know until it's on the computer.

There is NOTHING wrong with your camera.

[RichardtheSane]

I still have the problem of the image not looking in focus throught the viewfinder

Solution could be simple here. On the viewfinder there is the dioptic adjustment dial, this is to get the viewfinder in focus. I find the easiest way to ensure this is set correctly is remove the lens, then turn it till the 7 focus points are in sharp focus :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

I was about to "Diopter",.. but Richard was allready there! :)

My diopter gets turned often from insertion and removal f the camera in it's leather case. Make sure it is dead center.

(can someone explain what this annoying diopter is for?)

[tanneuby]

I have played with the diopter and still cannot get the image I see through the lens to look sharp. I have tried looking through with my glasses on and off. Adjusting the diopter with glasses on and off. There has got to be something wrong???

[defordphoto]

New glasses? Has anyone else tried it that has 20-20 vision?

[tanneuby]

Well I took it to my local camera shop where I bought it. The salesman there, a regular 10D guru, fixed it. It was the diopter. He adjusted it by pointing it at a bright light then adjusting it so the AF boxes looked thier darkest. Not sure if that makes sense, but it worked and I aint complaining.

[perfectpixel]

tanneuby wrote:
Well I took it to my local camera shop where I bought it. The salesman there, a regular 10D guru, fixed it. It was the diopter. He adjusted it by pointing it at a bright light then adjusting it so the AF boxes looked thier darkest. Not sure if that makes sense, but it worked and I aint complaining.

another method that worked for me was to press the aAF section point button that makes all the boxes glow, and then turn the diopter ring while the boxes are illuminated.

[boBquincy]

I just got my 10D today, from B&H. It seemed to have a slight front-focus issue so I used Bob Atkins test (from photo.net) to check.

The 10D does have a *very* slight front focus, but it appears to be well within tolerance. My D30 has almost the same condition, however, the D30 seems to have ever so slightly greater depth of field at the same settings, same lens. Who knows?

Their AWB interpretations are quite different, with the 10D a good deal warmer (under compact fluorescent lights).

I was (and still am) very happy with my D30 but the 10D blows it away, in color rendition even more than in sheer resolution.

Anyway, enough of focus tests, I'm going to take some photos! ;) It's a *really* good camera, as is the D30!


boB