Focusing issue w30D?

pxl8 wrote in post #4154481
What AF mode were you using for the last example?

I use AI servo/center point focus and usually spot meter, though I have been trying evaluative and center-weighted of late...

slyone,

I definitely feel your pain! Your first post shows you using the Tamron 17-50 lens. Have you tested things using the 70-200? If these results are consistent using both lenses and varied lighting, I'd say your 30D might need to take a trip. If the 70-200 works fine, then your Tamron might need to take a trip! How much testing have you done in varied conditions?

Tony

slyone wrote in post #4154516
I use AI servo/center point focus and usually spot meter, though I have been trying evaluative and center-weighted of late...

I've become a big fan of center-weighted averaging recently. I've done a lot of testing with the different modes and find that unless I have a very high contrast shot, I get the most consistently spot-on exposures using this mode. Evaluative is too inconsistent for me.

What 17-50 lens are you using?
Are you sure the lens isn't back focusing. I remember some of the Sigma 50-150's had this problem.

Jack

The portraits were with the Tamron 17-50 which not used much, has returned some stellar/sharp photos. All the nighttime sports (HS football/soccer) are always with the 70-200L non-is. I have also incorporated using flash the past week on lower monopod but that is a totally different discussion..

TMR Design wrote in post #4154530
I've become a big fan of center-weighted averaging recently. I've done a lot of testing with the different modes and find that unless I have a very high contrast shot, I get the most consistently spot-on exposures using this mode. Evaluative is too inconsistent for me.

Yeah I took a seniors portrait (in CC forum) last week that was centerweighted and turned out nice just a little soft I guess/histogram was perfect!I still need to learn PP...

I would do some basic tests. Use a tripod and shoot a page of printed text at an angle of around 45 degrees and see if the focus is ok with that. If it is then it might be a problem with your technique when using AI servo, the shot you said was ok the focus point was on a flat area with almost no contrast and wasn't the sharpest region in the shot. I often find when shooting sports such as football that it's better to use the top point and track that point over the players head. Centre point can work well if the player has plenty of detail on their chest, runners wearing a race number for example.

I actually had been contemplating moving my AF point to the top one since I'm usually arounf waist high w/center focus point...I guess I could start trying "adjusting the A/F points on the fly ". I also was planning on sending the body and lens in after the season ends to have checked before warranty expires too.

slyone wrote in post #4154469
here's another

Looks like the autofocus worked correctly. Most of the AF area is the grass behind her hand.

The lens focuses before the shutter opens - was her hand even in the AF area at all during focusing?

-js