How can I simply test my 40d for focusing issues?

The23rdman

The23rdman

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Dean
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Exactly as stated. Not entirely sure anything is wrong, but I've been having a lot of focus problems recently.
 
err, take some photos and look at the results?

if it helps... put it on a tripod and use a fixed target - try a newspaper, shoot with autofocus and then manual are look at the results

repeat at different distances

don't pixel peep... that's just sad and will make you deeply unsatisfied
 
How on earth are you supposed to tell if it's sharp if you don't pixel peep? ;)
 
keirik said:
if you need to pixel peep to tell, then it's good enough
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I like that :thumbs: :D

If memory serves, the focus chart test has it's problems, something to do with focussing close to the minimum focal distance perhaps? Can't really remember but I'm sure some of the more technically up-to-speed members will be able to explain!
 
I've just performed some tripod tests with my sharpest lenses. Took shots with af then shots with live view and MF. Definitely out, which makes me feel a whole lot better about my last couple of shoots.
 
Focus test for front/back focus: (As accepted by Nikon, by the way)

Setup 3 books, staggered on a desk. Camera on a tripod, focus on the text on the centre book. Shoot. Examine results.

The thickness of the books will vary the "amount" that you can detect - when my kit was out, I used books that were about 2" thick (actually 3 copies of the same book). It was clear that the centre book was OOF, where the book to the rear was nice and sharp.

No pixel peeping required, it was pretty obvious on the LCD of the camera, let alone on a PC monitor!

I will say one thing though - to all the people who say "Don't worry about it, just go out and shoot." - that's a fine attitude if your kit is fine, if it's not then getting a load of OOF shots is disheartening at least. Imagine you took a whole shoot, and every single shot was out - would you just carry on, without getting your kit at least tested?
 
OutLore said:
Focus test for front/back focus: (As accepted by Nikon, by the way)

Setup 3 books, staggered on a desk. Camera on a tripod, focus on the text on the centre book. Shoot. Examine results.

The thickness of the books will vary the "amount" that you can detect - when my kit was out, I used books that were about 2" thick (actually 3 copies of the same book). It was clear that the centre book was OOF, where the book to the rear was nice and sharp.

No pixel peeping required, it was pretty obvious on the LCD of the camera, let alone on a PC monitor!

I will say one thing though - to all the people who say "Don't worry about it, just go out and shoot." - that's a fine attitude if your kit is fine, if it's not then getting a load of OOF shots is disheartening at least. Imagine you took a whole shoot, and every single shot was out - would you just carry on, without getting your kit at least tested?
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That's a great test. I'll do it now, but the results are already obvious.
 
keirik said:
if you need to pixel peep to tell, then it's good enough
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That strikes me as a silly attitude. What's the point of spending hundreds of pounds on glass and bodies and having them perform sub-optimally? I simply cannot be happy giving clients prints knowing my gear isn't working correctly.
 
The23rdman said:
That strikes me as a silly attitude. What's the point of spending hundreds of pounds on glass and bodies and having them perform sub-optimally? I simply cannot be happy giving clients prints knowing my gear isn't working correctly.
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Well I guess it depends if it's ever noticeable. If you're printing up to huge file sizes, then I can see the point, as it's detectable. If you're only doing, say, A4 prints and below, then (generally speaking) any level of detail that you might be unhappy with at 100% isn't going to be detectable on the finished product.

I don't pixel peep, but if I could visibly see that there was a focus issue on the screen or on prints, then I'd be bothered.

Different people have different approaches, I'm happy with my kit, even if at 100% I know it could be a little better. If that doesn't work for you though, then you should get it sorted otherwise you'll never be quite happy, be worrying about the kit, and that'll lead to bad shots somewhere down the line :)
 
Chris, that's in in a nutshell really. All my shots have been soft recently and it's affected my ability to concentrate on taking pictures. It's all packed up to go back for a fix.


Then I'll upgrade to a 7D...or a 5DII...or a 1DsIII...So many choices. ;)
 
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