Help a girl out!

[miller00]

Hey I need some real help! I have the 30D and I have the 24-70mm L and the 70-200mmL Which of course are supposed to be tack sharp but I am having troubles with both of them they are super soft. It almost feels like my camera will focus on something that i'm not focusing on I have it on center focusing and I always focus on the eyes. Even When I shoot with a tripod they seem so soft.
Second, Can the sensor of your camera be dark? When I take pictures it seems like they are always so dark. Even If i switch to auto it is extremely dark. Or if I put it on AV it is also dark? I think that I am metering correctly. Thanks!

[Cybnew]

Can you post some examples please?

[Hermeto]

Can you post couple of examples, with EXIF preserved, if possible?

[Bob_A]

If you post some images it will be much easier to offer some advice.

[Bob_A]

lol

[Hermeto]

Great minds think alike.. ;)

[lostdoggy]

Have you try taking the lens cap off???

[lostdoggy]

Are you sure it is soft not motion blurr???

Like everyone else said "...a picture is worth a thousand words..."

[miller00]

oooh! yea I might try that no wonder they are so dark!=] Photos are uploading to photobucket as we speak err type

[miller00]

Well I try to use a tripod

[miller00]

Used a tripod and center focusing and I focused on the eyes of the middle one
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/Miller00/tester2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/Miller00/100crop-1.jpg
ile Name: tester2.jpg (rename)
Taken With: Canon Canon EOS 30D
File Size: 370 kb - 533x800 Taken On: 2007:12:20 16:34:56
Camera Make: Canon Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Date/Time: 2007:12:20 16:34:56 Resolution: 533 x 800
Flash Used: Yes (manual) Focal Length: 24.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125) Aperture: f/5.6
ISO Equiv.: 100 Metering Mode: spot
Exposure: Manual

[miller00]

All taken with the 24-70
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/Miller00/kyle100.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y85/Miller00/kyle.jpg
242 kb - 513x643 Taken On: 2007:11:19 12:56:15
Camera Make: Canon Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Date/Time: 2007:11:19 12:56:15 Resolution: 513 x 643
Flash Used: Yes (manual) Focal Length: 50.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0006 s (1/1600) Aperture: f/4.0
ISO Equiv.: 100 Metering Mode: matrix

[lostdoggy]

Did you have a filter on the lens??? If, yes did you try taking pics w/o filter???
It doesn't look like motion blur.
Are they taken in JPEG? If yes, what size JPEG???

[Hermeto]

Hmm, that is soft, indeed!
Try this test, just to eliminate front/back focusing.

http://focustestchart.com/chart.html

Shoot with both lenses at minimum and maximum focal lengths, wide open.
Use the tripod at roughly 45 degrees angle, cable release or timer shooting, center focusing point only.
Shoot L jpg and do not change anything other than resizing it to POTN recommended dimensions.
Make sure to fill the frame with the chart, make sure to have plenty of light

[cdifoto]

To ensure it's definitely NOT user error, when you use center point, and focus on the eyes, that means you're re-composing. That can throw off your point of focus if you have a shallow depth of field. Use a focus point that actually covers the head or eyes. They're quite capable in daylight. Half-press the shutter button quickly and repeatedly until the lens "settles" - it doesn't always hit the very first time despite stopping. Usually a quick 3-4 half press sequence before taking the shot will ensure it's locked on properly.

PS: Are you sure you aren't using a 24mm f/1.4L for the first shot and the 50mm f/1.4 for the 2nd? The aperture and focal lengths in EXIF is showing up as 24mm & 50mm, f/1.4 & f/1.7, respectively. At those apertures you don't have much wiggle room, so focus-recompose is an especially bad idea.

[freebird]

Totally agree with the above comment. Focus , recompose can throw you off.

Chuck

[lostdoggy]

Which focusing mode are you using???

[miller00]

Hey, Okay well the F stops defiantly are not 1.7 and 1.4 they are 4.0 and 5.6 I am positive they were both taken with the 24-70mm. When I recompose I always push it half way before I move it. And I use center point focusing. I will try that chart it sounds great! But How am I supposed to use it for the 70-200? Do I stand on a ladder to get far enough away? And which focal length do I use for the chart? Thanks a bunch everyone!

[miller00]

Oh and yes I do have a filter. It is just the one that protects the glass. and I shoot in RAW

[derky82]

A cheap "proective" filter can sometimes have a very negative effect on images. I don't know if it could have made it this soft but it may be worth trying a few shots without the filter in place?

[Hermeto]

Hey, Okay well the F stops defiantly are not 1.7 and 1.4 they are 4.0 and 5.6 I am positive they were both taken with the 24-70mm. When I recompose I always push it half way before I move it. And I use center point focusing. I will try that chart it sounds great! But How am I supposed to use it for the 70-200? Do I stand on a ladder to get far enough away? And which focal length do I use for the chart? Thanks a bunch everyone!

Print the chart and stick it to the flat surface.
It doesn’t have to be horizontal surface of the desk; if you do not have space to fill the frame with the chart at 200mm, stick it to the door or the wall and shoot vertical.
If you’re using tripod it’s easy.

Test your lenses at maximum and minimum focal lengths; 24mm and 70mm, 70mm and 200mm.
And yes, REMOVE the filter!

Canon tests lenses at 50x focal length distance; you don’t have to be that strict for the first time – filling the frame is just enough.
Don’t forget to manually defocus all the way between shots – this time you are testing AutoFocus.

[cdifoto]

Canon tests lenses at 50x focal length distance;

Do you have a direct link to an official Canon document/website/announcement that states this?

[Hermeto]

Do you have a direct link to an official Canon document/website/announcement that states this?
No, I don’t, that’s hearsay as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve read it here, in POTN.

[Bob_A]

Hey, Okay well the F stops defiantly are not 1.7 and 1.4 they are 4.0 and 5.6 I am positive they were both taken with the 24-70mm. When I recompose I always push it half way before I move it. And I use center point focusing. I will try that chart it sounds great! But How am I supposed to use it for the 70-200? Do I stand on a ladder to get far enough away? And which focal length do I use for the chart? Thanks a bunch everyone!

They were definitely shot at f/4 & 1/1600s and f/5.6 & 1/125s.

[Bob_A]

Did you shoot jpeg, and if so what do you have your in-camera sharpening set at? If it's off or low I would expect to see this kind of result. If you shot Raw you need to apply sharpening either during conversion or using USM in Photoshop ... was this done?

If sharpening was applied corrrectly and focus is spot on then it would seem to me you have a problem with the resolution you are getting from the lens.

[argyle]

Two things:

1.) First thing I would do is take the filter off and do some more tests...a poor filter can affect the IQ in a bad way. Here's a link that really shows what can happen if using a poor quality filter:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/598361

2.) Move your focus action from the shutter button to the star "*" button that's on the 30D. IIRC, it should be Custom Function 4, then select option #1. Makes for easier focus/recomposing. To lock focus, simply press the star button.

[JWright]

They were definitely shot at f/4 & 1/1600s and f/5.6 & 1/125s.

Try shooting at a slower shutter speed and smaller aperture. You certainly don't need 1/1600 sec for a stationary subject outdoors in daylight and you'll gain depth of field.

[bieber]

Am I the only one who doesn't find these terribly soft, especially considering that we're looking at 100% crops? If you're really worried about it, it seems like a little USM would crispen it right up...

[ALaS]

24mm f/1.7 ..? that's not the brick. and one of thoes was with the 50 f/1.4.

[Bob_A]

24mm f/1.7 ..? that's not the brick. and one of thoes was with the 50 f/1.4.

Neither of the shots that she posted were at f/1.7. The exif is intact ... one was at f/4 and the other was at f/5.6.

[ALaS]

Neither of the shots that she posted were at f/1.7. The exif is intact ... one was at f/4 and the other was at f/5.6.

Copied from exif data:
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:12:20 16:34:56
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 24.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/1.7
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual

[deadpass]

it could be because you focus and then recompose, that can lead to soft images especially when you're close to wide open.

[miller00]

I am more then 100% positive that is wrong. I for sure used the 24-70 2.8 I hardly ever use my 50mm

[ALaS]

Image #1
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:12:20 16:34:56
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 24.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/1.7
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual

Image #2
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:12:20 16:34:56
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 24.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/1.7
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual

Image #3
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:11:19 12:56:15
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 50.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0006 s (1/1600)
Aperture: f/1.4
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual

Image #4
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:11:19 12:56:15
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 50.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0006 s (1/1600)
Aperture: f/1.4
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual


None of these were shot with the 24-70L?

[exile]

Image #1
Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 30D
Image Date: 2007:12:20 16:34:56
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 24.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/1.7
ISO equiv: 100
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual


My exif viewer shows f/5.6 for the first image! A quick check of all the other images show f-stops consistent with the 24-70mm lens. I'd check your exif viewer!

[miller00]

They were all shot with the 24-70L as I said but it only goes down to a 2.8 so I think something is wrong with your software maybe?

[ALaS]

Hmmm maybe. I've never seen a picture at f/1.7.

[cdifoto]

They were all shot with the 24-70L as I said but it only goes down to a 2.8 so I think something is wrong with your software maybe?

I use FxIF to view EXIF data and it's never been wrong before, AFAIK. Apparently it is wrong this time. The correct EXIF was displayed when I downloaded the images and viewed the data via Windows Exploder.

[Bob_A]

I use FxIF to view EXIF data and it's never been wrong before, AFAIK. Apparently it is wrong this time. The correct EXIF was displayed when I downloaded the images and viewed the data via Windows Exploder.

... and I got the correct numbers when I viewed the images in Adobe Bridge :)

[Cyth0n]

The first image doesn't look so bad to me, for a 100% crop. The image quality in the second image looks like I would expect from an underexposed photo brightened up in PP.

[goforphoto]

You need to use a smaller aperture. Group shots are difficult, you should use f8 or f11 and bump the iso if the shutter gets too slow.

[lostdoggy]

Focus mode: One shot & AI Focus

Autofocus
Type
TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor

AF Points
9 AF points

AF Working Range
EV -0.5-18 (ISO 100 at 68°F/20°C)

Focusing Modes
Autofocus: One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF (automatic switching between One-Shot/Predictive AI Servo AF); Manual Focus (MF)

AF Point Selection
Automatic selection, Manual selection

Selected AF Point Display
Superimposed on viewfinder and LCD panel

AF-assist Beam
Intermittent firing of built-in flash (must be manually raised in P, Tv, Av, M and A-DEP Exposure modes)