focus problems

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chris-b

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89
Name
chris
Edit My Images
Yes
iv been having problems with the focus on my 450D the only way i can get it really sharp is to use live view and zoom in on the subject. i read the guide on focusing tips not done the chart thing yet. is this something i will get better at with practice?
 
heres two shots first is manual focus
newcamera938.jpg


the second is focused in live view
newcamera937.jpg


exif data is
exposure 1.6
f 5.6
iso 200
focal lenght 55mm
 
hang on, a couple of things.... exposure 1.6 - that might need explaining, does that refer to shutter speed and if so, 1.6 secs?

Secondly, when you say 'manual' focus, is there a reason you are not using autofocus to make things easier for you? Focusing on such a small object is quite difficult and requires practice and if using low shutter speeds, there is a good chance the softness is camera shake. Were you using a tripod at all?
 
is this auto focus your having troubles with or just when using the view finder in manual focus

if its the latter i think, i think you should turn the little dial next to the view finder to see if that helps your image to appear sharper as it can appear soft if you havent got the finder positioned correctly for your eye
 
yes the camera was on a tripod. out doors shots dont look that sharp either mite be that im just zooming in to much in the edit software
 
this was taken today and to me nothing looks sharp

Resizeofnewcamera892.jpg


or am i just being fussey
 
Hmmm--There is an area in lower middle foreground that looks ok.Try autofocus and increased Dof.You could even try A/dep if that works then there is probably a technique problem.
Good luck.
Pete.
 
The bottom left corner of the last image looks sharp... The small aperture could be reducing depth of field, which could be why the rest of the image isn't in focus?

Chris
 
chris-b said:
yes the camera was on a tripod. out doors shots dont look that sharp either mite be that im just zooming in to much in the edit software
Click to expand...
Were the outdoor ones on a tripod as well or did you handhold them, and were you shooting in raw or .jpeg?
If they were raw they will look a bit softer straight from the camera. Also how much are you zooming in on them if you think it may be too much?
 
chris321 said:
The bottom left corner of the last image looks sharp... The small aperture could be reducing depth of field, which could be why the rest of the image isn't in focus?

Chris
Click to expand...

thats what I was thinking, its f4, and the bottom left looks sharp as if that was its focus point, either deliberately or accidently. How many focl points does a 450d have btw?
 
exif data says f4 on that shot of the trees. but like i said it tends to be nearly every shot no matter the settings.
 
chris-b said:
exif data says f4 on that shot of the trees. but like i said it tends to be nearly every shot no matter the settings.
Click to expand...

ok, you definately feel you are getting sharper shots from the live vew then lokking through the viewfinder, yes? Now if it doesn't make snse that the focal system would work better with one that the other, so it would point to a technique issue. Can I ask you a really dumb obvious question without causing offence? I know with Nikons you can turn off the focus points in the viewfinder, pressumably for if you are manually focusing and want the best view. Can you do this with a canon and have you done it? So in other words, when you look through the viewfinder, you cant be sure which point in the frame its focsuing on? Sorry if this is a silly question.
 
yes you can select **** af point you want. i have used the camera in mf and af modes and with all nine point or just the center. the results all seem the same .live view focusing seems sharper i dont know why
 
Having recently made the change to one of these "newfangled" DSLR's,i also noticed what i first assumed was a problem with my camera.
Pretty much the same thing-sometimes shots were just a little off..
At times,a slight movement of the camera can cause the AF to use a different point for focus,which isnt always quite what i was expecting.
If the lens is wide open-the effect is worse.
i have the 1000D,with 7 point AF,and on a few ocassions when the camera has picked say 3 points,the shot will be out of focus.
Im now much more careful to check the focus,and tend to use the center AF point,lock and recompose if needed.
(in my case,i think it was pretty much me assuming "Ok-it beeped,everythings fine!" 100% of the time... :lol: )
 
mischief that sound like my problem the red dot flashes so i probley think every thing fine. think im gona have to pay more attention to whats going on

cheers every one
 
I'm using a 450d aswell, and I had similar issues. I'v found that using center point focus, and switching the AF mode to servo, gets alot sharper results. I'm just a noob, so i know I'll eventually work out the kinks, but this seems to be the order of the day. Try it, post your results!
 
quick update on this. iv been playing with the camera all day trying all your suggestions and the only thing i can put it down to is the lens. the end with the focus ring moves about alot its the 18-55 is . when the lens is in MF i have to pull it back towards the body and in AF it only needs a small tweek is this normal?
 
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