85mm 1.8 just returned from Canon WTF!

And yet your focus test chart shot shows maybe 2-4mm, odd.

BigAlz1 wrote in post #8111196
Same image lol,
Here is a "real" world shot to show how I can't take sharp pictures like I need too.
This is a tripod mounted shot. The knee I focused on is the furthest point toward me. The other knee, crouch and hand that are in focus are 1 and 1/2 inches away from my focus point! The subject is about 35 inches away from the camera.

Make sure the lens wasn't running into MFD (33.5 in). I find it strange that it would be off a couple mm on a chart, but 30mm in a "real" shot.

If it's still off, just send it back, unless you can still return it.

Send it back. You know that it does not work, why ask this lot? Skewed or not you can see the problem.

toxic wrote in post #8111700
Make sure the lens wasn't running into MFD (33.5 in).

That's what I was thinking. The 85 1.8 is definitely no macro lens.

You are focusing in that 'real world' test shot on something that is very small on the focus point. Do realize that the actual focus sensor is much larger than the square on the viewfinder. It's very easy for the AF to lock on something behind the focus point when the focus point is on something small. Shoot something with a little more substance to it and see what your results are.

Send it back again.

Let's take it outside for a test spin on a person. That will tell us a lot about the focus issue. Before sending it back in, that's what I would do as the 85 1.8 is not a macro lens and needs a certain distance to get it right.

I do not know what you do but the fact that two shots of a focusing charts were so different ( one is removed now) and especially the fact that the photo that is still remaining in the original posts show almost no backfocus while the figure on the shelf displays a huge backfosus can only point to the user error. There is a smal chance that the camera plays tricks with you but that is highly improbable.

User error.

Call Canon and ask what's next. They may want you to send the body in with the lens.

I agree you see something wrong; my only thought is to limit your body to center-point AF only, see if it continues.

Save yourself months of misery and wasted time and just save up for a body with micro adjust. That's the only real solution to this common issue.

How about just use it? I've seen way too many threads on back focusing. My 24-70 and my Sigma 30mm are both "back focused" but still produce excellent images when I'm not obsessed with "tack sharp focus" and more concerned about what I'm taking a picture of. Just get out and have fun with it, 2mm of back focus is nothing, but because you are obsessed with it, you arent enjoying the lens.

i'd consider it mostly user error. the lens may be back focusing slightly, but as others have stated, if your chart shows a few millimeters of backfocus and your controlled test shows an inch and a half.. you as the user are not doing something right.

Mike55 wrote in post #8113883
Save yourself months of misery and wasted time and just save up for a body with micro adjust. That's the only real solution to this common issue.

Is it ?
I'd call MA poor man's lens calibration at least at its current implementation.
Having MA you can fool yourself that the lens is OK at a certain focus distance.

just send it back in. Second attempt should fix it