Cameras - advice, questions, opinions

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

llsorbet — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:37:36 GMT

You may still want to try calibrating (micro adjusting) your camera for that 75-300mm lens. I don't know if the site I previously posted is the one you're referring to as not functional, but just copy the url and paste it into your browser and it should work. That site has instructions.

http://www.kennewcombe.com/AFmicroadjust.html

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

lyceel — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:30:30 GMT

That's rather annoying.

I often wonder why there aren't more DSLR service shops around. In a town as big as Orlando, there are exactly zero Nikon shops. The closest one is in Daytona Beach. I expect it has to do with the constantly increasing complexity of the DSLRs, but it is unfortunate.

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:47:25 GMT

That and I was told on the phone that I could bring my camera to the local canon repair shop and they could look at my camera there, but apparently once you get there, they tell you they only specialize in the "powershoot" models, and the only thing they can do for you is mail your camera to California... even though I told them what model I had on the phone...

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:43:35 GMT

This is true... =D

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

lyceel — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:34:12 GMT

My experience says never, ever assume a Geek Squad member is an expert on anything. You might get lucky occasionally, but think about it, if they're really that knowledgeable, would they still be working at Best Buy?

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:56:57 GMT

Also, I had to argue with some geek squad guy at best buy that the images were soft in the first place (okay, I know it was the lens, but it might have been the camera....) he kept saying, oh, thats about what you get with digital cameras, you can't crop that much... I basically had to explain what the "full sensor" on the 5d mark II was capable of, as he obviously had no clue and thought I was crazy to even expect to make good cropped images with it... that and he couldn't figure out how to put the lens on the camera... just line up the red dots... you'll be fine... some camera experts...

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:50:39 GMT

I returned the camera body and got a new one, and am still getting soft images with the 75-300mm, but the wide angle is super sharp, I am sure it is the lens now, thank you guys for all your help, now I just need to save up for the L series zoom lens... sigh...

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

thekiwi — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:43:21 GMT

BirdBrainy:

I'm guessing that perhaps my 75-300mm lens needs calibration, as reflectively, it is the one that was on when I was having more severe focus issues... Does anyone have a cite that explains how to lens calibrate? I tried following the link on that sight but it was not functional for some reason.

The wide angle lens I was also using is an L series (EF 17-40mm f/4L USM), which I totally failed to mention, and I did get much sharper images with it, but still, I guess I expected more... perhaps both need calibration...

Try setting your fstop to f8 I think you will find that to be sweet spot of that 75-300mm lens

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:58:55 GMT

I'm guessing that perhaps my 75-300mm lens needs calibration, as reflectively, it is the one that was on when I was having more severe focus issues... Does anyone have a cite that explains how to lens calibrate? I tried following the link on that sight but it was not functional for some reason.

The wide angle lens I was also using is an L series (EF 17-40mm f/4L USM), which I totally failed to mention, and I did get much sharper images with it, but still, I guess I expected more... perhaps both need calibration...

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

lonestranger — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:33:29 GMT

I found this article to be very interesting, and possibly relevant to your problem, BirdBrainy. It deals with lens and camera tolerances and explains why perfectly good lenses on one body will be less than perfect on a different body. It also mentions how the 5d MarkII has a microcalibration feature to resolve these tolerance issues. Well worth reading if you've ever had focusing issues, with valuable information for those of us looking to uprade our lenses or cameras in the future.

http://www.lensrentals.com/news/2008.12.22/this-lens-is-soft-and-other-myths

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

thekiwi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:12:45 GMT

BirdBrainy:

True, sorry about that! I am using it mostly with a Canon 75-300mm EF Lens, as well as with a brand new Canon EF 17-40 lens, no extender. I already had to upgrade to the new canon wide angle, as there was a ridiculous amount of vignetting with the non-canon lens I bought.

I have read mixed reviews online, some claiming it has the best focus ever, others saying the complete opposite, which has been my experience so far. I am all ears if anyone wants to offer suggestions on settings, or anything really. I have been using it in a variety of settings, from full sun to low light, and had the soft focus problem everywhere.

You will get results accordng to the quality of glass you use. You have a top of the line camera body and then you are using cheap glass with it I beleive you will get great results using the "L" series glass try renting some lenses first you can rent from here

http://rentglass.com from what I have seen they appear to be the best deal.

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

llsorbet — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:49:59 GMT

Try auto focus micro adjust?

http://www.kennewcombe.com/AFmicroadjust.html

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

BirdBrainy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:48:52 GMT

True, sorry about that! I am using it mostly with a Canon 75-300mm EF Lens, as well as with a brand new Canon EF 17-40 lens, no extender. I already had to upgrade to the new canon wide angle, as there was a ridiculous amount of vignetting with the non-canon lens I bought.

I have read mixed reviews online, some claiming it has the best focus ever, others saying the complete opposite, which has been my experience so far. I am all ears if anyone wants to offer suggestions on settings, or anything really. I have been using it in a variety of settings, from full sun to low light, and had the soft focus problem everywhere.

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

thekiwi — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:52:57 GMT

BirdBrainy:

I just bought the canon eos 5d Mark II, and I am less than pleased with its focus capabilities. Regardless of lens, of auto or manual focus, with even the slightest editing or cropping it becomes more than apparent the image is only soft focus at best.

Does anyone have any suggestions besides throwing the camera out the window and buying a nikon?

You don't mention what lens you are using or if you are coupling it with an extender. The EOS 5D Mark II is a top of the line camera. If you could add more details on your equipment you are using.

Re: Complete lack of sharp focus with Canon eos 5d Mark II

beckaknows1 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:55:08 GMT

I truly believe that your camera isn't defective. I may be wrong, but with Canon (I own 2), you just have to have the correct settings for the application. Were you in low light? Bright and sunny day?

BTW I'm jealous of you spotting the blue-footed booby!