Edmontonion needs expert opinion on XTi

here is a MF vs AF test.

that absolute focus thing is dandy!

looks like MF > AF

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did another test vs the kit lens

both pics taken at F3.5 kit lens at 18mm handheld, low lighting

http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/50f35.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/kitf35.jpg

I think it's obvious that the 50mm is backfocussing....this is also my 2nd copy O_o

glad to be of service!

blam wrote in post #2365055
I think it's obvious that the 50mm is backfocussing....this is also my 2nd copy O_o

Sure is looking that way.

my 50mm1.8 often misfocussed which is why I got the F1.4. first copy BF, and now 2nd copy BF as well =(

the manual focus did the trick....would it be wise to compile a small collection of pictures like above before sending it in for service?

Before doing so you might want to get a bit tighter with the controls of the test. Take a look at this doc. Yea, I know it's Nikon, but they have a great focus chart in the back. Set up the camera on a tripod, have the chart sitting at a 45 degree angle and snap a few. Might even try it at different stops as well.

yeah, I've done that test before.

it showed very slight misfocus on a tripod.

I also did the same test with a magazine and the only time I was able to get it to focus properly was with mirror lock.

blam wrote in post #2361325
Hey guys,

I had recently shipped my XTi to Canon to check out a backfocus issue I had with the body and they shipped it back (after 4 weeks) to tell me nothing is wrong.

There is your problem right there. It went to Canon Calgary and they are the WORST Canon depot on the face of this earth I believe.

I sent my 300mm lens in because it would turn itself off and the camera would not detect any lens on the camera and they were going to send it back. I said wait, there is a problem, open it up and replace the chip and contacts. Well 3 months later I still have no lens, they still have not fixed it and now they claim they found another problem.

They claim they found another problem? What? You mean they found the problem and it doesnt need a new chip or contacts. So when I call to find out what this problem is, they say they can not tell me. Even though I have the account number that McBain camera provided me they still can not tell me what it is. So I called McBain again, 1 hour after getting the number and they say that Canon has not told them what the problem is.

I have a very very very bad feeling about this. That they are going to fix the actual problem and then also install parts that apparently are not needed and were only ordered because they claimed to not have found a problem initially.

Why did they not find a problem originally? Because they only put it on a camera shot a few pictures and nothing went wrong. They only found this secret problem after they opened the lens up.

Oh and if still need someone local to give you their thoughts I can probably help you and try a few of my lenses on your body. Let me know.

cjm, glad to see I am not the only one who has had problems with them...my guess is they slapped a lens on and took a couple pictures that looked acceptable or were "close enough" and didn't bother to do the recalibration

I called the missausaga depot and they said they would gladly take a look at it but being that it is holiday seasons, the wait time is quite high. Right now I am collecting as many bad pictures as I can find (doing real time shooting - not testing) to send off to missauga after the holidays along with my camera.

here are some pictures I took on the weekend. These have been sharpened and resized in PS CS2 all centre focused except the dinosaur. the focus is on it's eye.

they all seemed to turn out fine...the BF problem seems to be in and out. I will post some bad examples later tonight
http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/photos/

cjm: where abouts are you located in the city? I am in the northside, but work on the southside, so travelling to either side is not a big deal to me. I would love to get a local opinion from someone who knows what they're doing (I'm very green to the DSLR scene)

this could very well be a user error since these latest photos all turned out looking fine.

most where shot in the F2.8 range.

also, here are 2 pics taken with both lenses I own

50mm at F/3.5
http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/50f35.jpg
kitlens at F/3.5
http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/kitf35.jpg

hand held in low light, which is why the 50mm may have BF? the 50mm was also at min. focus distance.

yes, the 50 f1.8 is definitely backfocussing.

that is the 1.4 actually.

the pictures in the photos link were out of the same lens and turned out fine.
ref: http://members.shaw.ca​/b.lam/photos/

not sure why these turned out so dark, the lighting is pretty good.

but here some very slight backfocus is shown.

pic 1. focus is on the black line. BF more apparent, image is sharpest at about 22.5cm, focus was on 23cm
pic 2. focus is on the middle tack.

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oops, yea, the f1.4 i mean.