Equipment or User Error???

I took a bunch of photos that the background is in focus, but yet the selected focus point is blurry. All pics were taken with the focus point continuously on the subject camera locked focus and picture was taken. I don't understand why this is happening. Here are 2 examples.

Hard to say...
Assuming you didn't move the camera after locking focus:

Way more contrast in the background then in the subject.
The actual AF field is bigger then the red "square" in the viewfinder.

AF systems like contrast, so the camera focussed on the background. I wouldn't have expected that in this case, but I think it is what happened....

The AF point displayed is the AF point that was active during AF (One shot) / is AF-ing (AiServo).

In the first case, it does not imply that it actually is over something that is in focus... (You might have focussed while the camera was aimed a bit more to the left)

What AF mode were you using? One Shot or AI Servo?

The outer focusing points on your camera are not very exact - although there should have been enough contrast to lock on to your target. Try using the center point instead and see if that solves the problem. On my 5D I always use the center point for that exact reason - on my 7D the outer points are indeed usable.

I used AI Servo, XTI, Tamron 17-50. I was very still and had the top focus point selected. Focus point was set on my son the whole time.

EDIT: Correction I used AI Focus AF not AI Servo

Are you /sure/ you didn't inadvertently set the switch on the lens to MF?

René Damkot wrote in post #9266233
Are you /sure/ you didn't inadvertently set the switch on the lens to MF?

haha, yes very sure it was on AF

Shutter speed?

D Thompson wrote in post #9266322
Shutter speed?

1st picture
Shooting Mode: AV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
Aperture: 2.8
Metering Mode: Partial Metering
Exposure Compensation: +1
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 32.0mm
AF Mode: AI Focus AF (not AI Servo like I thought)

2nd picture
Shooting Mode: AV
Shutter Speed: 1/1000
Aperture: 2.8
Metering Mode: Partial Metering
Exposure Compensation: +1
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 50.0mm
AF Mode: AI Focus AF (not AI Servo like I thought)

i blame AI Focus mode

for me i use one shot if i'm taking a picture of something static, use AI servo if the thing is moving, and use ai focus if i don't want anything in focus

DreDaze wrote in post #9266817
i blame AI Focus mode

for me i use one shot if i'm taking a picture of something static, use AI servo if the thing is moving, and use ai focus if i don't want anything in focus

I thought AI Focus was a combination of the 2, but it was the first time I used it. I guess AI Focus isn't a trustworthy AF mode

AI Focus is not worth using. As above, use One Shot for static and Servo for movement. The AI Focus mode isn't that good, yet. It could be in the future if Canon work on it a bit more.

AiFocus sucks.
Always has, always will IMO.

jay415 wrote in post #9263023
I used AI Servo, XTI, Tamron 17-50. I was very still and had the top focus point selected. Focus point was set on my son the whole time.

EDIT: Correction I used AI Focus AF not AI Servo

Ah, ha...

DreDaze wrote in post #9266817
i blame AI Focus mode

for me i use one shot if i'm taking a picture of something static, use AI servo if the thing is moving, and use ai focus if i don't want anything in focus

Ding, ding! We have a winner... If you want your pictures in focus, don't use this mode. I have only run across one individual here who uses that mode. Most everyone will say it's worthless.