Problem with depth of field focusing with D60 & 10D

[SBrooks1]

I seem to have a problem with the depth of field focusing. I've had the problem with the D60 and now my 10D as well. I can't figure out what the problem is. I'm focusing on the person in the center of the image. You would think the camera would detect that and not focus on something that is closer in the depth of field, but that's not the case. Take the 2 pictures below as examples......

Image 1 here I focused on the older lady with the silver/gold dress. The camera focused on the chair in front of me.

Image 1 (http://members.cox.net/barrybrooksphoto/IMG_2447.JPG)

Image 2 here I focused on the same lady with the silver/gold dress. The camera focused on the plates on the table to the left.

Image 2 (href=http://members.cox.net/barrybrooksphoto/IMG_2519.JPG)

I can't figure this out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Scott

[bmccall]

Scott,

Yes, I was just looking at your examples and looks like we have the same problem. I took a photo of my wife focusing on her face and the camera / lens focused elsewhere.
What lens are you using? Does this happen with all lenses?
Brad

[SBrooks1]

I'm using a Canon 28-105 Ultrasonic lens. I've experianced this same problem with my D60 too. I can't figure it out. ???

[Dans_D60]

Question:
Is the D60 in full AF mode or have you manually selected a focus point? In full automatic mode the D60 “attempts” to figure out the scene and pick the best focus point. Most of the time this works fine, but not always. For complex images (lost of potential focus points) you can either select one of the three points (seven points in the 10D) or just go back to the basics and switch to full manual focus.
Dan
http://www.pettusphoto.com

[Coolmax]

I found an interesting thread on www.dpreview.com about soft AF on the 10D.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=4683299

I just got my 10D today, and so far I must've snapped off 80 shots, some were super sharp some weren't so sharp. But in a lot of cases I was shooting in low light conditions, handheld, plus it was cold and windy outside, so that might have attributed to some of my soft shots.

Since I've gotten home I've just been doing some tests with the camera on a tripod and the shots seem to be coming out sharp.

Anyways check out the thread.

Kenny.

[Jorge]

Had the same problem with my D30. The photo turns out sharp, but it's the wrong object that's in focus. This is no problem for a computer, but to the human eye obviously this is not acceptable.

I now use the setting of fixed central focus point and continous metering - point on the desired object to I get the focus lock indicator and then (re)compose. It seems to work out fine.

This is IMO also the "natural" way to control a DOF and is particulary useful when operating with an extremely narrow DOF.

On the D30 often the magnification level on the LCD is insufficient to determine if the photo is in focus (or the right object is in focus). Does the increased magnification on the 10D help here?

[Vaio]

I wonder if its just a digital issue..? It happens to me on the point and shoot digital issue that I have. So I tried turning off the camera and then turning it back on an choosing the AP or TV priorty and it worked ok.

[bmccall]

I've tried pretty much everything with my camera. I even used the center focus spot only, locked on and shot. The focus is always behind the subject.
I read of the possibility of a 'break in' period for the 10D - I don't know.
Here is another example:
http://www.bradmccall.us/test3.html

[martcol]

Hope you get it sorted and I'll keep looking at this post with interest. If I were you, I'd let Canon have a look and make a bit of a fuss.

Hmmm - the soup tin looks great though!

Martin

[HoodedOne]

Did you try the different AF modes, because AI Focus and AI Servo can change focus when moving the camera. That's why I most of the time use One Shot AF.

[bmccall]

- excuse the cross posting, but my topic and this one overlaps -

My auto focus problem turns out to be my Tamron SP 24-135 lens. I borrowed a friend's Canon 28-70 lens and had absolutely no problem at all with the auto focus on my 10D. I'm replacing the Tamron with a Canon 28-135 IS - I'll post my findings with that lens when it arrives.
Brad

[bmccall]

Received my Canon 28-135 IS lens today and initial testing confirms that the Tamron SP 24-135 lens was my problem. The Canon auto focuses properly where the Tamron would not. Either the Tamron was defective, or it is not compatible with the 10D.
Brad

[Schroder]

I know how you feel. My 10D does the same thing so I took it in for service 2 days ago. Hopefully I will have it back in perfect working (focusing) conditions for this next Saturday's wedding I have to shoot.

It was very frustrating and not very obvious at first glance, but once the images were on the screen you could see they werent crisp. I really hope it comes back much better.

[robertwgross]

Scott, all I can suggest is to try to get the active focus mark on something with some contrast. A silver dress may not be very contrasty. But some of the foreground objects certainly do have contrast.

It's too late now, but if you had put the active focus mark on the lady's yellow flower edges, it might possibly have worked better than on the silver fabric. The other possibility is the lady's eyeglass frames.

I think contrasty objects will drive the focus mechanism better.

---Bob Gross---