I think I'm just a klutz, but...

I think I'm just a klutz, but I seem to have difficulty in getting a good, sharp focus on some shots, and others seem just fine. It's not the lens; some shots with a lens are perfect, and others are not.

I use both manual and auto focus functions, but there are some shots that should be sharp and aren't...for instance, no movement of subject, but it's just not clear as it could be. And then, there are some that are tack sharp, and have movement.

Any advice? Any clue? I'm using the 20D, various lenses, and various lighting situations (natural, flash, ambient)...so I really don't know.

Dunno why! And it's driving me a tad bonkers.

Thanks!!

Best-
Noni

This happens to me too and I'm using some of the best equipment there is. It just happens sometimes.

If have found that I have to change my focus points depending on what I am shooting. For example if you have your camera set to center point and you think you are bang on the subject but in reality you could be just off center slightly and the focus will lock on something else.

This certainly isn't a digital issue as I've had the same thing with film. The real criteria for me is, am I getting enough sharp images (I'm including post processing and sharpening) to satisfy me. Now I am. In the start I wasn't

Tripod?

I'm pretty sure that not using a tripod is my problem. I think the focus is spot on, then a slight breath or heartbeat happens and by the time you press the button, I've moved enough that the focus gets wacked.

LP, I am not sure it's a tripod thing...it's more like maybe my eyes see it in focus through the viewer, but it's not quite. Except that it doesnt happen all the time....

Maybe it's the point of focus, as mentioned by ssim. And I'm definitely NOT getting my ratio of focussed to unfocussed where I'm satisfied; sure, I'm positive that there will be some that aren't going to be focussed correctly, but I think more should be.

Dunno...I'm going to play with my camera a bit over the next few days to see if I can't just "fine tune" my eyes, or determine if it's a technical thing in the camera.

Darn and drat and darn again...it's just frustrating that there isn't a clear (ahem..."easy") answer. LOL, but I must learn patience....

Best-
Noni

I had the same problem, until I got Haoda Fu's Split Ring focusing screen.
Works great in Manual Focus, and is useful for checking on Auto Focus.

Hi Noni,

Are all of your shots hand-held? Some of the troublesome things I've done (and do) are:

1. Swaying a tad toward or away from the subject (lens wide open ... small DOF) after locking focus
2. Jamming the shutter button, instead of squeeeeezing it
3. Shooting in Av and not noticing that the shutterspeed went too low to get a decent hand-held image
4. Not using a tripod when I have no choice but to select a slow shutterspeed
5. Simply messing up where I lock focus.

I still get more keepers than when I used a manual focus SLR ...

Hi Noni, I like your work and enjoy your comments.
Are you familiar with the saying; "I'd rather be lucky than good"? Well I need to be lucky 'cause I sure aint good.
I have made all of the mistakes Bob ementioned plus some that aren't even in the book. Usually I can figure out what happened, slap forehead, and resolve to not do it again. Yeah, right. (The only time two positives make a negative)

Hi Noni,
the problem you described is exactly why I always use the centre focus point and re-compose when I need to. This is sometimes difficult when you haven't got a clear view in the finder but it works 99% of the time. Also focus is more critical with shallow DOF, ie; wide apetures, I still struggle with hyperfocal distance myself. The other important thing as mentioned is maintaining a reasonable shutter speed and keeping the camera steady, it is very easy to sway when concentrating on composition, particularly with a larger lens. The split focusing screen also sounds like a very good option if you're having difficulty.
Roger.

Thanks, you guys.

Bob, no, all the shots aren't handheld. I've used the tripod, and gotten the same results....but your comments remind me about my aim problem when I was learning to shoot handguns; I am going to have to keep all those in mind (steady feet, exhale, squeeze, et cetera...). Thanks a bunch for the reminder!

Grampaw, I'm going to have to see what that is...LOL, I haven't got the first clue. But if it can help, then I might see about the "investment." Thanks for the suggestion!

Skip, first, thanks for the compliment! Made me smile! It's good to hear that someone of your calibre has experienced some of the same stuff...I've got so much to learn, that sometimes it feels a tad overwhelming. But how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Roger, thanks for the reminder about DOF. Seems I'd forgotten that relationship! LOL!!!!! And I've got to check out what my point of focus is....I can't remember.

It looks like I've got some good "excuses" to get out there and experiment; to learn...and to practice a whole lot. And that is a good thing!!!

Thanks, everyone. I hope to be able to get the problem identified completely, and if not corrected, at least challenged. Your help is definitely appreciated!!!!

Best-
Noni

I think learning how to focus your camera properly is like the 8th wonder of the world sometimes. All I know is that I have to learn to pay attention to what I am doing. LOL