MF not good!

[vross]

When I use AF with my 30d ,pics are mostly sharp,
but when I put the lens (400DO or 70-200is) on
manual focus pics are not sharp at all...:confused:

Below an example ( I made 50 of these,all the same)
Also tried the lenses on a 350d on MF, everything OK....

Is it the 30d,or ???

Ron

[pieq314]

You did not focus correctly in MF.

[vross]

That's not possible ,all 50 shots have the same problem

The 30d just came back from the repairshop...
(for something else)

I guess I have to bring it back one more time:evil: :evil:

gr,ron

[Nick_C]

Manual Focus isnt easy on any DSLR, its about time Canon put split focus screens as standard or at least an optional extra on all DSLR's.

Nick :-)

[pieq314]

That's not possible ,all 50 shots have the same problem

The 30d just came back from the repairshop...
(for something else)

I guess I have to bring it back one more time:evil: :evil:

gr,ron
See Nick's post. It is extremely hard to judge if you are in focus or not through the viewfinder. In the old days before autofocus was invented, you focus by lining up two lines. Now with autofocus, you no longer have that option.

[steveathome]

Was you using a tripod? if not try again with another subject with tripod, and make sure you have a crisp image when manual focusing - also make sure you have the diopter set right.

Set the diopter adjustment whilst viewing the focus points, as these are reflected onto the same screen that you are focusing on.

Lets see what results you get then?

[vross]

All shots were taken from a tripod,
and the diopter was set OK...

Below another example....

Just can't believe all 50 shots are the same as these...:cry:
(Some of them must be sharp??)

gr,ron

ps also tried the 350d,shots are OK...

[steveathome]

maybe your focus screen is a little out of place?

[steveathome]

just another point - do your focus points (led's) light and agree with your manual focus?

[gasrocks]

Do a test to see how good your MF skills are: FInd some good subject, not too close, something that sits still. MF, take 1 shot. Focus to Inf. now MF, take 1 shot, back to inf. and so on. Do a series of 20 or 30. Are any in focus? How many? I have had students focus once, take 30 shots and none were any good. Hedge your bets.

[Nick_C]

If the focussing screen was set back or forward a little it would cause you to manual focus all wrong, but what rules that out is surely when you have autofocused it would show up wrong in the viewfinder.

This is a weird problem, as dbett said autofocus only turns the focussing ring the same as you are doing, so I dont see why it wont work.

When you autofocus, does it look sharp in the viewfinder?

Nick :-)

[frankthatank4418]

another idea, would installing a split focus screen fix this?

[vross]

This is a weird problem, as dbett said autofocus only turns the focussing ring the same as you are doing, so I dont see why it wont work.

When you autofocus, does it look sharp in the viewfinder?

Nick :-)

As a matter of fact : no it doesn't!:eek:

(my guess: this must be since they "repaired" it...)

Ron

[steveathome]

I bet the focus screen is not in place properly

[Nick_C]

As a matter of fact : no it doesn't!:eek:

(my guess: this must be since they "repaired" it...)

Ron

It does on the Sigma 17-70, autofocus actually turns the focus ring.

Nick :-)

[Mediasoldier]

At first I thought the OP wasn't aware Manual Focus ment you actually had to manually focus it... but now I'm starting to believe it's his focus screen.

[Nick_C]

another idea, would installing a split focus screen fix this?

Yes it would make it easier, but the only problem with split focus screens is you have to have something where you can line up the 2 lines, on tree or a lamp post it would be easy, but on a bunch of rocks or grass I would imagine it would be harder to tell if its lined up.

I just got my camera out & its dark here now, but I tried it indoors, I autofocussed on some books & took the shot, fine! I then switched to manual focus & as while holding down the shutter I turned the ring, when the autofocus frame lit up & bleeped I took the shot, fine as well..

Nick :-)

[steveathome]

It does on the Sigma 17-70, autofocus actually turns the focus ring.

Nick :-)


I think you have the wrong end of the stick, I think he meant "no it doesn't" look sharp when auto focusing.

I think

[dbett]

I think you have the wrong end of the stick, I think he meant "no it doesn't" look sharp when auto focusing.

I think


And if that's the case, then it means it's either the diopter adjustment or the focus screen.

[Nick_C]

Ooops yeah sorry, ive been painting my computer room today, the paint fumes have effected my brain! :-p

Ok then, I think that pretty much confirms that your focus screen is not in the right place, if it looks blurry when autofocus has had a shot at it, something is wrong.

Nick :-)

[vross]

I bet the focus screen is not in place properly

Must be the problem....

Tomorrow I'll do some more tests,if it isn't any better i'll
bring it to the repair again...

I also tried mf with the shutter halfway..guess what: it bleeped;)
Shots are much better
(This is new for me,but I like it a lot! Thanks for the replies..!

Ron

[steveathome]

I also tried mf with the shutter halfway..guess what: it bleeped;)
Shots are much better
(This is new for me,but I like it a lot! Thanks !)

Ron


?

Have you thought about just popping it into your local friendly camera store, where they just might be able to confirm if the screen is seated right, and maybe correct it for you?

[Nick_C]

And if that's the case, then it means it's either the diopter adjustment or the focus screen.

I was wondering about the dioper, but he says its correct.

If he adjusts the dioper after autofocus so the image looks sharp, chances are that the info in the viewfinder will be blurred, although doesnt that mean he needs glasses for close work?

Nick :-)

[steveathome]

I was wondering about the dioper, but he says its correct.

If he adjusts the dioper after autofocus so the image looks sharp,

Nick :-)


If that works it could be a good temp fix

[Adam T]

Why use MF? If you have AF? Sorry, I'm a newbie so..

[Nick_C]

True, my money is on the foccusing screen, I have taken my one in & out & it has a shim, but if it has become lodged in the wrong place, possibly forward more then it would have this effect of throwing off the focus, but only the manual focus as autofocus doesnt even care if the screen is installed, although the metering might have something to say about that ;-)

Nick :-)

[steveathome]

Why use MF? If you have AF? Sorry, I'm a newbie so..

It works better with some subjects - especially awkward ones

you also maintain more control on what you are focusing on

I await critisism

[Nick_C]

Why use MF? If you have AF? Sorry, I'm a newbie so..

Well sometimes AF can slip up, especially when there are low contrast areas, also sometimes its just nice to KNOW you focused on a particular point in the photo.

Although I have to say AF is pretty darn good most of the time.

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

Snap!! blimey, talk about see who can answer the first... lol ;-) its whoever can type the fastest... hehe..

Nick :-)

[In2Photos]

Why use MF? If you have AF? Sorry, I'm a newbie so..
Last night I was taking shots of my wife at a close distance with a wide aperture. To use AF I would have had to focus (on her eyes) and recompose which, with a wide aperture could cause the shots to be OOF. So I switched to MF to ensure focus was on her eyes.

[KevC]

It's possible your diopler setting is off.

[vross]

Why use MF? If you have AF? Sorry, I'm a newbie so..


I use the 30d-400do mainly for birding..
Sometimes with the 2.0x tc > only mf

For instance: a bird between a lot of branches makes af useless

Ron

[TheSteveMadden]

My thinking is that the focus screen is installed upside down. One side of the screen is etched to aid in focusing and if it is upside down then the etching will not be in the focus plane, but offset the width of the screen.

Diopter won't help here, as it cannot bring into focus a screen which is not in focus. Adjusting it will just bring it to as focused as the lens is, not compensate for an OOF focus screen image.

[steveathome]

Would be interested in your findings and what the problem actually was vross

[vross]

Would be interested in your findings and what the problem actually was vross


Hi Steve,

You'll be the first to know...;)

Ron