50D Woes

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RichieRich

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First of all, the 50D produces excellent images, an performs particuarly well at high ISO (as I`ve said before). However, I have to balance earlier comments with complaints.

i) AI Focus. Now the most annoying thing. Simply doesn`t work much of the time. Focus on an object (such as my finger in front of the camera with my macro lens), then wait for about a second without moving, then move, and it will probably work. If you get a focus confirmation and immeidately start moving it probably won`t start trying to re-focus. I noticed this problem when I tried to take some shots of a dog running towards me. The camera simply wasn`t trying to refocus. I never had this problem with my 400D.

ii) Err 99. Happens sometimes, but not a big deal. You just have to remove the battery.

iii) Shutter / Mirror strangeness. This is very odd. Sometimes the camera`s mirror takes far too long to drop back into place. For exampe, when shooting at 1/500 it can sometimes sound like the camera has mistakenly provided a 1 second exposure. On inspection of the image it clearly hasn`t, but it`s rather annoying.

iv) All goes black...similar to Err 99, but with no error message. Happened once. Battery removal fixed it again.

There are so many positives about this camera that I had to bring up a few more negatives. I`m upgrading to version 3 firmware ASAP, and I`m hoping that this will address the AI focus issue, which is kind of fundamental.
 
Sounds like a right pain Rich to be fair, are you planning on sending back to Canon if the firmware isn't succesful in smoothing the creases?


swag72 said:
Will the one I've just ordered have version 3 firmware already?
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I wouldn't worry, downloading and installing the latest firmware is a very easy and quick procedure.

T.
 
Probably not to be honest. I`ve sent stuff back before to a few manufacturers and I`ve often ended up with replacements which also have flaws. Given that the images which I achieve with the 50D are extremely good (in terms of the camera`s role, and not my composition skills), I`m probably going to learn to live with it. I`m guessing that the shutter delay thing may prove to be a problem if I start shotting multiple frames per second.

On the whole though, AI focus is very annoying...would make it rather difficult to use for sports photography IMO. This isn`t hardware,,,I`m sure it`s a classsic software issue (and that`s coming from a software engineer).

You know, if I could have one wish with this camera it would be that Canon had stuck to a lower megapixel account. Given what they have achieved at 15mp with their new sensor design, I can only imagine that images would have been virtually noiseless if they had gone with the same mp count as the 40D.
 
I havent really played with the AI side of the focus mechanism on the 50D yet, havent used it enough.

Are you using AI Focus or AI Servo ? Have you tried AI servo ? Have heard some issues with the other method but AI servo should work the same way as it always has ?

I best get reading up on the differences ;)
 
AI focus...when a focus is gained, as denoted by a red square and a beep, the camera should try to retain focus on the object. I use this a lot during hand-held macro photography (while shooting at 1600, which the 50D is great for).

AI Servo...continously tries to gain focus. You won`t see a red quare focus confirmation, even when focus is obtained. I don`t use this.
 
ah im reading lots of reports of AI focus not working very well, as it tries to work between Single Shot and AI Servo, i always use AI servo and get a red focus light to say its in focus ? Although i will just go and test this to make sure im not imagining things ;)
 
You`re right, you get the red flash (but no beep). I`m finding it just as shodding though, particularly towards the minimum focus distance of the lens.
 
RichieRich said:
You`re right, you get the red flash (but no beep). I`m finding it just as shodding though, particularly towards the minimum focus distance of the lens.
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I always turn the beep off on my cameras as it tends to annoy the wildlife, isnt quite the same with insects and macro though.

I havent got a macro lens so cant try it on mine.

I cant report any of the other issues you are having either so maybe you do have issues with your 50D ?
 
Yeah, the beep generally doesn`t bother the insects...in fact, I spent about 5 minutes trying to get a massive Preying Mantis of my arm / bike today which simply wouldn`t leave me alone.

Perhaps I do have issues with the camera after all then....I`ll do some more tests with my standard zoom and the wide Tokina which I`m buying this week.
 
I do hope we are not going to see another focusing problem like on the 1DmkIII, it's that last thing Canon need right now.
 
RichieRich said:
Osaka, Japan. So I`m guessing that nobody on this forum is that close. I`ll sort out the firmware ASAP and give it another go.
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Ah, yeah, you might be right there lol :)

swag72 said:
I have got a 50d on order - Feeling a little nervous right now :suspect:
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I wouldnt worry, i have got a 50D here and its been fine for what i have used it on so far. There arent that many reports of major problems with 50D's, the AI Focus is a bit flakey because its trying to merge One Shot and AI Servo together, and can sometimes take a second or 2 to settle before the modes switch over. But One Shot and AI Servo on their own work fine.

The other issues (err99 and the other one that i cant remember lol) are reportedly fixed with the firmware updates.
 
I've never quite worked out why you'd want AI Focus anyway... surely something is either moving or not moving. Even if its not moving, AI Servo is probably the way to go, unless you want to focus and recompose... but then again, you can still do that, just take your finger off of the back button (assuming you have your camera setup like that...)
 
desantnik said:
I've never quite worked out why you'd want AI Focus anyway... surely something is either moving or not moving. Even if its not moving, AI Servo is probably the way to go, unless you want to focus and recompose... but then again, you can still do that, just take your finger off of the back button (assuming you have your camera setup like that...)
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I was getting ready to argue there but after considering what you`ve just said you`ve probably got a good point. I think it`s because I simply find AI Servo a bit `fuzzy` for want of a better word. I use AI Servo for hand held macro stuff...but I`ll try AI Servo tomorrow.

Yep, once again. 50D is a great camera. Seems like a small thing but over the 400D my favorite aspects are the heavier / larger body and the shutter button, which is far more sensitive, meaning that I don`t have to press as hard and hence introduce more shake.
 
Well, let me know how it works out... I only really shoot motorsport... maybe its different in the (little tiny) world of macro :D
 
RichieRich said:
Seems like a small thing but over the 400D my favorite aspects are the heavier / larger body and the shutter button, which is far more sensitive, meaning that I don`t have to press as hard and hence introduce more shake.
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I would be interested to know your big advantages over the 400d as I am upgrading from the 450d, so I shouldn't be a world apart tbh. Anything to keep me going until it arrives:D
 
Just upgraded to firmware version 3.0. All went smoothly but no improvement on the AI Focus front.

With regards to always using AI Servo, I won`t be doing this as you never get a focus confirmation. The red square flashes when you half-depress the shutter button bit it never lights up again when a focus is gained.

I`ll stick with AI focus. Interesting to see if the Err 99 and the weird shutter problems which I`ve been having go away.
 
Sorry, no you don't get a lock, because its constantly evaluating the focus when you have the button held down...
 
It must be really annoying to have a few problems with a new and expensive camera.
I'm quite sure I've read something similar at POTN about your i & ii complain.

Hopefully Firmware update will sort it out.
 
massive bump...

Did the firmware sort the err99? I am on holiday at the moment and have had it a couple of times now. Seems to be correlated to changing the aperture and then turning the camera off without taking a shot...

cheers
euge
 
Touching wood - I have not noticed these problems with my 50D (had it since just before Christmas). I admit I use mostly AI Servo and it has had a really good workout over the last few weeks with Polo, Polocrosse - multiple shots all in focus, follows well and this last weekend a riding club show where my main problem was the bright sunlight blowing out the white blazes on the ponies and the grey horses.

To those that say they have them on order and are nervous - I would not worry, it is a fabulous camera - especially when you have upgraded from a 400 or similar :)
 
I've had my 50D since October and shot over 8,000 images with it to date, using 8 different combinations of lenses and teleconverter. It's not missed a beat. No errors, no malfunctions.

It is not recommended to use AI Focus. If you want to shoot something that moves, use AI Servo. If you want to shoot something that does not move, use One Shot. If you want the best of both worlds use the custom functions to set the camera up to only focus with the AF-On button (or * button if you prefer) and then you can leave the camera in AI Servo mode all the time and simulate One Shot AF by only pressing the AF-On button (or * button) briefly. The 1 series cameras do not even have AI Focus mode. There is no need for it. I really wish it was not on my xxD cameras either. It's just one setting to have to skip over whenever I do change focus modes. I wish it could be disabled/removed through a custom function.
 
I'd suggest it's a camera shutter issue, not firmware etc.

My 40D shutter expired with exactly the same symptoms before locking up and err99 continuously.
 
I hope the shutter lasts till i get back from holiday.... i guess its going on holiday itself for a service after that !!!


You wont regret the upgrade... even though i get the err99 every now and then everything else on the camera more than makes up for it. The image quality is fantastic in comparison to my 400d :)
 
Slightly off topic, but just how good is the 50d at high iso Richard? how high can you go before it get bad.
 
3200 and noise ninja is pretty good, much better than the 40d. 6400 is noisy, and highest is just very noisy
 
Interesting read this,i seem to be having issues with getting a sharp focus as i am doing motorsport which i love.
I have not done a lot on the A1 Servo though,maybe thats the way to go for motorsport,but its driving me round the bend at the moment.:(:eek::thinking::gag:
 
^^^^^
Anyone with any advice most welcome about above.:):thumbs:
I am finding this is starting to get me down now.:(
 
Jockwav, What sort of advice are you looking for? I shoot very little motorsport but if it was me shooting my setup would be as follows....

- Manual exposure (unless light conditions are changing continually).
- Shutter speed slower than 1/250 for panning blur, more like 1/500+ to freeze movement.
- Do not stop down below f/8 unless you really need the extra DOF or a slower shutter speed in bright conditions. You will start to enter the region where diffraction softens the image.
- AF in AI Servo mode for anything and everything that moves.
- Focus with the AF-On button only. I want to be able to pause focusing whenever I want, by releasing the AF-On button, while retaining the ability to continue firing and spinning the IS by keeping the shutter button half pressed.
- Lens set to Mode 2 IS - panning mode, or Mode 1 for non-panning shots.
- Lens focus limiter set to long range - 6.5m+ for my 100-400.
- Practice, practice, practice your panning and shutter release technique. I shoot motorsport rarely but I do notice my results improving as the day goes on. Initially I am really rather jerky and clumsy with my panning and shutter release.
- Track the subject for at least 1 second before releasing the shutter. This will allow the AF to lock on and start predicting the motion of the subject. It will also give the IS time to settle.
- Fire in short bursts - maybe 3-5 shots at a time. You may find the first and last shot in a burst are a bit iffy but those in the middle have less shake and are sharper. The first shot in the series normally suffers most from a jerky shutter finger. The last one often suffers from a failure to follow through smoothly with your panning.
- Don't be sloppy with your focus point aiming. You must pan well and keep the focus point where you want it. If it's waving all over the vehicle then you are not panning very well, which will introduce unwanted motion blur, regardless of IS.
- Pick only a single focus point to use - probably the centre one - and don't let the camera choose which one it focuses with.
- Since you have a 50D, make sure your AF microadjustment is set up accurately for shooting at distances of, say 20m+, not 2m or something inappropriate for the focal length of your lens and the subject matter.
- If you have to shoot through fencing then try to get as close to the fence as you can, to throw it as OOF as possible. Also, if you have the (sun)light behind you then the fence will also be well lit and show up more, even if OOF. Try to shoot from a position where the fence itself is in shade, or create your own shade if you can.

The longer the lens the more skill required. Practice, practice, practice.

Hot days and long shots can cause problems with heat haze making the air wobble between the camera and subject. The closer you can get to your subject the less effect the atmosphere will have.

Most of these tips apply to shooting BIF, which I try to do fairly regularly, although I try to keep shutter speeds above 1/1000 if poss for birds.

How's that for starters?

p.s. I'll repeat - practice, practice, practice.

p.p.s. If you use a UV or protection filter then take it off and use a lens hood for protection and to reduce flare.
 
AI servo mode would definitely help, or switch to manual focus, prefocus on a point and take the shot as the vehicle gets there.
 
Thanks tdodd for taking the time & effort in replying to the thread,maybe i have to go back to basics & start again,i was getting there with some of the shots.:):thumbs:
 
Thanks Byker28i:):thumbs:
 
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