What's wrong with my 300D?

My 300D tend to focus to other focus point even though I manually choose the focus point and press the focus lock. I even try to use manual mode and manual focus but it still focus to the front object.

I've used a smaller aparture like f4,f5.6 but still has the same problem. Fyi i've tested with 50mm f1.8 and 75-300mm f4-5.6 lens.

I've choose to focus on the eye, nose for potrait but the camera override my focus lock and choose to focus on either the background or an object in front.

I felt also these camera focus very slow and by the time it gets it's focus, the object I want to capture already gone!

I've actually sent my camera to Canon service center regarding this but they check there's nothing wrong with the camera.

Any idea what when wrong or it is something wrong with my technique? I just get frustrate most of my shots focus on other spots.

I own a 300D. You just have to get use to it and know the camera well enough to use it... That is my blunt and rather obnoxious advice.

I'm not sure what you're saying. You only have one focus point activated? That is, you only have the centre point activated? What is your technique? Do you half-press the shutter, and recompose? You said you are using small apertures - but f4-f5.6 is not hugely small - in fact they are the biggest your tele lenses go (smaller the value, larger the aperture).

Are you saying that the camera physically changes the focus after you half-press the shutter (by default, half-press will focus lock)? That is, do you hear the auto focus re focus?

Or are you saying that everything is fixed, and your image turns out to be focused slightly behind what you focused on? IF this is the case, your camera may be front or back focusing slightly. If you are manual focusing, perhaps your viewfinder dioptre is not set well (adjusted to your eye -so while it looks in focus to your eye, it may not be for the camera). It's not totally clear from your post what the focus issue is - is the camera refocusing, or do your images just come out not as you expect?

danielyamseng wrote in post #4092475
My 300D tend to focus to other focus point even though I manually choose the focus point and press the focus lock. I even try to use manual mode and manual focus but it still focus to the front object.

This makes no sense. If you manually focus, that is, you've set your lens to manual focus ... then the camera is unable to focus, it is all up to you.

This sounds a lot like operator error.

Bill

Yes,this does sound strange??
May I suggest this:

Set the camera to ..one shot /center point focus/av mode
Set aperure to F8
In bright sunlight take a few shots

As mentioned before ,you might have your diopter setting off?...
When you look through the viewfinder ..is the image sharp?
Please post back with your results.

What mode are you shooting in?

Here is the step I do to take a shot:

i) Select the focus point.
ii) Compose the shot.
iii) Half press the shutter to archieve focus.
iv) the in focus confirmation light on.
v) Press the focus lock button.
v) Full press the shutter(Note that while pressing the focus lock button, I didn't release the shutter release button.

I've tried in manual mode-M, 50mm f1.8 lens with aparture combination f4-1/60s,f5.6-1/125s ,f2.8 1/125s

and also the program mode as well as Tv mode

I also repeat the same setting with 75-300mm telephoto lens.

I found out the lens is very slow on focusing for both 50mm and worst with 75-300mm lens.

Any idea?

Are you using a custom function to move the focus-lock off of the shutter release button?

Welcome to the forums - please ignore Mediation's response - it was rude and unnecessary.

I just checked my 300D manual and with 'focus lock' you have to hold the shutter button depressed half way until you take the photo. I am a bit confused - what are you calling the 'focus lock button'?

JackProton wrote in post #4097674
Are you using a custom function to move the focus-lock off of the shutter release button?

Not an option on the 300D, even hacked. Too bad...

-js

danielyamseng wrote in post #4097308
Here is the step I do to take a shot:

i) Select the focus point.
ii) Compose the shot.
iii) Half press the shutter to archieve focus.
iv) the in focus confirmation light on.
v) Press the focus lock button.
(snip)

Uh, which focus lock button? My 300D doesn't have such a device. The exposure lock button ( the * ) can't be changed to do exposure lock as on later cameras.

Unless I've missed something important.

-js

I have a 300D as well and agree with the others - pushing the shutter button halfway is the only way to 'focus lock' on it. It looks like you are hitting another button which is obviously not a focus lock button and it is causing your shots to be off.

If you must lock focus and do something else before shooting, you could focus, turn AF on the lens off, do what you need to do, and then take your shot - but there is a chance that you could move your camera (or your subject could move) and you would lose focus! According to the steps you follow, after (iv), just push the shutter button in all the way to take your photo...

Sorry for the confusion. the button that i press is at the top right back of the camera it's actually exposure lock button. I always lock the exposure by pressing the exposure lock button and then lock the focus by half press the shutter button.

Possible that your cheap lenses are the reason for slow focusing. Neither have USM.

Post an image or two.