350D Kit Lens Out of Focus?

[DimensionZero]

I appologize since this topic has been brought up many times, but I wanted to confirm with you all before I go and call Canon on this..

I've had my 350D for a while now and I've always had really soft shots... I knew they were out of focus, but I had figured it more to be just user error since I was coming from a S20 P&S.

Anyways, I managed to get my hands on another lens (Canon EF 80-200 f/4.5-5.6) and immediately noticed much better clarity. I was never really able to prove that my kit lens was screwy and even tried the focus test (with inconclusive results due to bad lighting and all when I tried it).

So now, to get to the point, the photos I took yesterday clearly show that something is wrong...

I posted the photos showing the focus point used as shown in ZoomBrowser. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I was also wondering what I need to go about doing to get Canon to look at it (or, if anyone knows a place in Vancouver that could do it was well so I don't have to send it out)

It's kinda unfortunate since I'm going to California for a week and I may be forced to manually focus all my shots. :( (Maybe I can convince the GF to let me buy a new lens when we're there. hehe)

Thanks everyone!!
http://gallery.dimensionzero.ca/thumbnails.php?album=36

[tim]

I'd rather see a focus test, it's too hard to judge off normal images.

[GyRob]

i dont have this camera but can it be set on just center focus ? if so i would try that before anything else and try putting that point on a high contrast part of the subject.
on your samples the first 2 are quite low in contrast .
Rob

[DimensionZero]

tim: yeah, i'll give it another go when I have a chance, not sure what happened when I tried it but I had some mixed results.

gyrob: heh that's the problem with the small LCD, the shots looked fine there so I never thought to select the centre focus point. I may just have to take the shots again next time I'm down. Unfortunately I have to drive about 2+ hours to Everett, WA to get them. lol

[scraggles]

I've had the same issue with my camera and the nifty fifty. Going to pick up a new lens soon, hopefully the problem is all my fault.

[soupdragon]

I suspect everyone is getting tired of hearing this but you really should read the thread entitled "unadulterated junk"
That's the category the kit lens falls into.