20D focusing issues

[gregjp48]

I've been seeing a lot of posts about 20D focusing issues, and been experiencing some myself.

Anyone have sharp shots from a 20D to keep me motivated ? :)

[Mark_Cohran]

You'll see post about focusing issues with the 10D, the 20D, the 30D, the 5D and even the 1DMkIIN and the 1DsMKII. Usually the "focus problems" are mainly due to user error and lack of technique. Anyway, this is from a 20D:

144958

Your 20D is a capable camera. You'll soon master it.

Mark

[kram]

Greg, post some shots where you think you should have got some sharp pics. Hopefully, we will be able to narrow it down to a few reasons....

[gregjp48]

thanks!
i can't see the picture tho
the main thing i saw was a post from a person who has who has had 3 20Ds altogether, and a 1D.

Same settings, lenses, etc. and says the 20D consistently misfocuses
I hope any error is my fault :)

[lalvidrez]

I've had problems as well. I think they look okay once I take them and review but when I get them into my pc it's a different story. It doesn't happen all the time because I get lots of clean shots but I may need to practice my manual focusing skills. Here a couple of pics I took with my 20d. Of course they've been ran through PSP.

[goforphoto]

I see buy your gear list you have an 18-55mm kit lens and a 50mm 1.8, I would say your focus issues lie more with the lens than with the body kit lenses are known to be soft through out it's ranges, and the 1.8 50mm depending on the aperature setting has a narrow DOF an is slow to focus in low light. Do not condem your 20d untill you have put some good glass in front of it, I think you will see things in a new light.

[samnz]

At first I was dismayed when I got my first 20D. I only used centre focus with the * programmed for AF and 1/2 shutter programmed for AEL. Used 17-40L and did a number of tests. I had about a 80% keeper rate! :( Then I looked at my technique and noticed from the time I would lock focus with the *, to the time I'd depress the shutter, I would move!!! So I set the AF back to default (shutter release) to test my theories - tack sharp! It's a shame because I prefer the other technique (* button), but unfortunately, I sucked at it!!!:)

[Total Minimoto]

I used to get some truly soul destroying images from time to time using the same setting and lens as the weekend before when I had managed great results, shots where nothing at all was in focus or just not as sharp as I had previously been getting so I was sure the 20D was having issues with it's AF as suggested by posts I had read on the subject of AF concerns with the 20D.
Fortunately I had two 20D bodies and after some testing with each of them I concluded that my technique was at times pants...:) and the weak link was myself... :oops: I was a classic case of someone who having managed to get a few images that I was very proud of foolishly assumed I obviously now had mastered this photography stuff for my preferred subject and I would simply get images like this when ever I wanted ....... wouldn't I ??? :rolleyes:

Well im not afraid to admit that I very quickly realised just how little I actually knew and after spending lots time practicing and listening to some hugely informative advice from people who have probably forgotten more than I will ever know, many of them here on POTN, I actually started to get a much much better keeper rate and when things did not go to plan I could better understand the cause, I also had a steep learning curve with my EF 70-200L F2.8IS as it also required some experience before getting the results I wanted from it and the 20D.
Spending 2 years with the 20D and leaning more each time I used it was great fun and a valuable learning experience. I sill use one of the 20D's as my second body and whilst not in the same league for AF performance as my 1D MKIIN, it can still produce a great image more often than not. I still on occasions get home after using the MKIIN, view the images and feel like tossing my kit bag in the bin if things have not gone to plan but I guess a few bad days now and then keep me on my toes and remind me it's not allways the tool but usually the guy behind it having a bad day ;)

Neil

All the images below taken with 20D, 70-200Lf2.8IS, ISO 200 ,1/640 ,f7.1 Centre AF point, A1 servo, Mode M.

http://www.neilison.co.uk/IMG_7847.JPG
http://www.neilison.co.uk/IMG_7941.JPG
http://www.neilison.co.uk/IMG_7992.JPG

[Mark_Cohran]

Anyone have sharp shots from a 20D to keep me motivated ? :)

Feeling motivated yet?

Mark

[Mstar]

I've had to send my 20D away with my 16-36 f2.8 lens. I supplied a few photos. I waited, waited more and waited a bit more still and then I got the phone call.

My 16-35 f2.8 was a bit out and needed calibrating

and.....

they found my 20D had an AF fault. I always thought I was at fault. I even bought a diagonal focussing screen to help me focus.

So to sum up, your issues could be YOU, your LENS, your CAMERA or any combination!

I am still waiting for my camera. It could be another 2 weeks to go.

Mark

[Titus213]

Doesn't much matter what sort of shooting you do, the 20D should be up to it. Not to say there can't be a problem but I've pixel peeped till I was blue in the face and haven't found a problem with mine.

[Titus213]

I will admit that there are some things that make images look fuzzy....

[X-WoodButch]

Just took this one a little bit ago with my new Tammy 28-75 f2.8 with a Canon 20d!!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/382288468_7dd76f853c_b.jpg

[gregjp48]

I see buy your gear list you have an 18-55mm kit lens and a 50mm 1.8, I would say your focus issues lie more with the lens than with the body kit lenses are known to be soft through out it's ranges, and the 1.8 50mm depending on the aperature setting has a narrow DOF an is slow to focus in low light. Do not condem your 20d untill you have put some good glass in front of it, I think you will see things in a new light.

not a bad point, but i don't use the kit lens all that much, and i try to stop down the 50 mm when i can for best DOF. I'm looking at the 28-75 tamron, but have to buy hard drives first to store the images i've already taken, and back up my booting drive.
Priorities. :)

[gregjp48]

Feeling motivated yet?

Mark

oh yea. especially teh motorsports pictures
the flower taken with my probable next lens ain't so bad eitha

[gregjp48]

i've just noticed that i took pictures in manual focus and they are great, and they aren't in autofocus

i use the center focus point too, and then recompose

[Peter Harper]

Greetings,

I'm a recent 20D owner and also have problems with focusing. While the image looks fine in the viewfinder the result is somewhat blurry, especially when zooming in. Obviously you folks have proven that good pictures can be taken but I'm still a little fuzzy on how (no pun intended). Any good recommendations for eliminating this problem? Any other web based resources you can refer me to?

Peter

[TomPierce]

Any good recommendations for eliminating this problem? Any other web based resources you can refer me to?
Peter

First, take a look at your photos.

Is [anything] sharp and in focus, even if it is not what you intended to focus on?

If the answer is no, nothing is in focus, then the problem may be camera movement, because that will blur the entire shot. The solution is camera holding technique, or a monopod, or a tripod (assuming everything else stays he same).

If the answer is yes, there are some parts in focus, then the culprit may be the focus technique or a misfocusing camera / lens. Then, the next thing to do is set up a lens focus test.


I finally started using a monopod for most of my 20D shots and noticed an immediate increase in the number of keepers. I guess I'm not as steady as I once was.

I've decided getting older sucks.

Tom

[newdamage1]

I have been following this thread, trying to figure if the focus issues were me (technique, or being too critical) or were the result of the camera or lens or the result my little one bringing me the camera the other day, lord only know if it hit the floor before she plopped it into my lap. (I guess she liked the photo sessions!)

The only indication that makes me think its the camera (or lens) is that when I was shooting a few of the attached photo's the focus would search for a second, and two out of five tries it would be just a little off.

Anyway, here's a link to the photo in question. (an few others for comparison.)

http://kokeefe.us/potn

[TomHuckWa]

Tom Pierce I also started using a monopod or tripod, and found a big improvement in the number of keepers. I agree about the getting older part, but the alternative is even worse.

[TomPierce]

The only indication that makes me think its the camera (or lens) is that when I was shooting a few of the attached photo's the focus would search for a second, and two out of five tries it would be just a little off.

Anyway, here's a link to the photo in question. (an few others for comparison.)

http://kokeefe.us/potn


In Megan_Test (cute kid, by the way) the focus is off. Look at the hair just in front of her right ear and compare it to her right eyebrow. See the difference?

In Megan_Test2, do the same comparison on the left side of her face. You can see where the focus is now on her eyes.

In testshot, I don't see anything nearer to the camera than the closest infocus berry. Makes me think that this one is focused slightly in front of the subject. (Of course, I could be seeing things that aren't there, too)

You didn't mention which lens these were from, but if you want to try the classic focus test to see if the lens is misfocusing, follow this link
http://www.focustestchart.com/

If could be the lens, it could be the autofocus system, or it could be the photographer.

My best suggestion to improve the photographer is to spend a day shooting with the lens in manual focus at wide apertures (and shallow depth of field). In this way you get used to looking for focus in all your shots instead of just accepting what the (imperfect) autofocus system comes up with.

Let us know what you find if you do the test.

Tom

[Nikolas]

Here's a few cropped and resized for web but little post processing.
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~smeegles/Stuff/TigerIsland/tiger3.jpg

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~smeegles/Stuff/TigerIsland/tiger4.jpg

This one taken with a 40 year old carl zeiss flektogon 35mm lens.

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~smeegles/Stuff/comet4.jpg

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~smeegles/Stuff/lenstests/50mm/footbridgesunset.jpg

http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~smeegles/Stuff/_MG_0352.jpg

[newdamage1]

Thanks for taking a look, These shots were taken with Tamron 28-75 2.8, I still have the stock 18-55 and did a few shots too, unfortunately, the pictures look the same. I will have access to a 350d tomorrow, I will setup and shoot with both against the test sheet from your link. I'm starting to think its the 20d body that's the issue, but I will use a tripod for the tests tomorrow to take me out of the equation.

thanks again!!
Kelly

In Megan_Test (cute kid, by the way) the focus is off. Look at the hair just in front of her right ear and compare it to her right eyebrow. See the difference?

In Megan_Test2, do the same comparison on the left side of her face. You can see where the focus is now on her eyes.

In testshot, I don't see anything nearer to the camera than the closest infocus berry. Makes me think that this one is focused slightly in front of the subject. (Of course, I could be seeing things that aren't there, too)

You didn't mention which lens these were from, but if you want to try the classic focus test to see if the lens is misfocusing, follow this link
http://www.focustestchart.com/

If could be the lens, it could be the autofocus system, or it could be the photographer.

My best suggestion to improve the photographer is to spend a day shooting with the lens in manual focus at wide apertures (and shallow depth of field). In this way you get used to looking for focus in all your shots instead of just accepting what the (imperfect) autofocus system comes up with.

Let us know what you find if you do the test.

Tom

[YosemiteJunkie]

Cascade Creek - Yosemite
http://photography.dunnnet.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/7092Framed.jpg

Peacock - Recent School Project Photo
http://photography.dunnnet.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/7198Framed.jpg

One of my friends
http://photography.dunnnet.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/6476Framed.jpg

Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite
http://photography.dunnnet.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/5025Framed.jpg

[Peter Harper]

Tom,

You're right, nothing is in focus. It looks like a good monopod is in my future.

I have to agree with your decision about aging, but for reasons of vanity I'm going to assume that has nothing to do with my problem.;)

Peter


First, take a look at your photos.

Is [anything] sharp and in focus, even if it is not what you intended to focus on?

If the answer is no, nothing is in focus, then the problem may be camera movement, because that will blur the entire shot. The solution is camera holding technique, or a monopod, or a tripod (assuming everything else stays he same).

I finally started using a monopod for most of my 20D shots and noticed an immediate increase in the number of keepers. I guess I'm not as steady as I once was.

I've decided getting older sucks.

Tom

[Mstar]

Had my camera returned, a little while back now. I still am surprised at having an AF fault as I never knew I had a fault with my camera!

By the way, when I was struggling with focusing, I bought a diagonal focusing screen and it helps a lot. Have you tried this? I am still testing the camera.

[mbellot]

By the way, when I was struggling with focusing, I bought a diagonal focusing screen and it helps a lot. Have you tried this? I am still testing the camera.

How do you like the focusing screen?

I just picked up a Katz Eye (used, for a good price) that probably won't be here until Friday because I want to see if I can do a better (more consistent) job of focusing by focus tweaking (all the lenses I use regularly are FTMF).

EDIT: What about viewfinder "blackout"? Have you ever had problems with it?

[Mstar]

mbellot,

I have not really had any problems, you see my lenses are f2.8, nice and bright. However, my latest purchase is the 1.4 converter and I do notice with this more blackouts than before, but, this is ONLY in marginal and dim conditions when even AF struggles. When I went to London Zoo the other week, I did not have any problems at all, despite all the photos being at f4.

I have noticed a vast improvement at my focusing skills and it is nice and easy to spot my ermmm.. errors. I am forced to blame myself for my woes now.

One thing I found was that surprised me, was the amount dust I could put on the screen without realizing it. It looked so clean when I put it in, but, when I looked through the viewfinder it was not pretty. The tools I used was an old cork fishing float I had lying around. I tried tweezers, but, these were clumsy and could scratch the screen, so I only used tweezers with ptf tape on the tips just to take out and put in the screens. The little ring on the end of the float was all I needed to press the clip down and align screen. The ring on the float could hook on the screen corners and this made adjusting the screen easy- this also prevented any scratches. I used my blower several times to clear the dust before starting the operation!

When I was checking my screen alignment, I was holding the camera upside down with the screen insecure, I raised the camera to my eye until I had the focusing screen bang in the middle of the central AF point. I then locked the screen in.

When I had the camera returned from Canon, I noticed my screen is even cleaner than when I installed the screen. The dust problem really surprised me.

Have fun mbellot!

[Schnauzer]

I went nuts for almost 2 years with my 20D. Everyone kept telling me it was me. And I believed it. Coming from film to the 20D I thought I was going to go back to film. I bought a monopod, then a tripod, I sold my 70-200 f/4 and got a 70-200 f/2.8 IS and still maybe 20 % keepers on a good day unless I was right on top of the subject. One day I went shooting with my cousin. He had his D80 and D2X. I used his D80 and he used my 20D. I had better than 90% keepers while he had less than 20% with my 20D.
I sent it in to canon NJ. They went through it and found both the focus and exposure off. Its like a whole new camera now. I couldn't be happier. It does exactly what I always expected now.
I am getting the 1DMIII as soon as B&H lists it and will be keeping the 20D :D .

[mbellot]

Mstar: Thanks for the info. Out of curiousity how difficult would you rate swapping the focus screen? I've read the eight (!) page document from the Katz Eye website and it looks simple but difficult, if that makes sense.

Most of my lenses are f/2.8 or better (well, the ones I use regularly anyway), but sometimes I need more than the 200mm my 70-200/2.8 IS can give so I have to pul out a TC or the Sigma 70-300 thats still kicking around, which is why I asked about blackouts.

Schnauzer: Similar story here, but it only took me six months to pack it all up. I was unhappily plodding along with my 20D and 17-85 getting mediocre results at best. Finally, I dropped a large chunk of change on a 70-200/2.8 IS figuring I'd start to see some improvement, but there was no love.

I still couldn't believe the camera was defective, but after an intense week of focus tests with some pretty miserable results (as much as 20mm back focus) I sent everything (20D, 17-85 and 70-200) to NJ for a checkup. According to the repair sheets everything was out of spec, and to top it all off the 70-200 had a bad IS unit. :(

Good news was everything came back working great and repaired for free. I'm still hit or miss with the 70-200 when doing fast action (I don't think the 20D can keep up, or I just really suck at predicting action) but anything else comes out great. I added a 24-70 L to my collection at Christmas and the pictures are out of this world.

[Mstar]

mbellot,

Putting the screen in was actually easy. But, using the best tools made it a lot easier, that's why I found using an old fishing float was the best tool for me. It was like holding a pen. The little ring at it's tip made pressing the little clip in the camera easy to do and I used it to lever the metal clasp and remove the old screen out and the other metal frame out.

I put an ironing board by a window and put the camera on this, so I had great light to see what I had to do. A lot of time was spent making sure I had the new screen the way I wanted it. Also, getting the screen the right way round was all part of the checks I was making. I had it up side down and the wrong way round originally!

Glad to hear your camera is fine now. Seems amazing to have so much out.