Canon T5i Focus issues

JoelR wrote:

I brought a Canon T5i last summer with the 18 x 135 lens. Since I brought the camera, I keep getting photos that are of of fucus. I know it could be user error, but I don't think it is. At least most of the time. See recent samples below. I have been taking photos for over 40 years and I have never had this problem before. Could it be the shutter speed is just to slow? Please see a few samples below and let me know what you thinks. Should I send the camera to Canon to get checked out?

Thank you,

Joel

Hi Joel,

Your assumption about the shutter speed might be correct, especially if you go by the "rule" that the shutter speed should be at least 2x the focal length. That's more of a guideline than a "rule" and depends on how steady you are shooting handheld, and of course it probably doesn't hold true if you're shooting from a tripod.

I could have something to do with your large aperture setting as well, especially when combined with the slower shutter speeds in your examples. Looking at them full size, your last shot is the best. It also has the smallest aperture combined with the fastest shutter speed in relation to your focal length. The worse shot, #2 IMO, is just the opposite (if I remember right).

Try shooting with tighter f/stops like f/8 or just a little higher maybe f/9, and faster shutter speeds and see what happens. Too small an aperture like f/11 and especially higher will start to produce lens diffraction and actually cause softness in pictures.

Hopefully you'll see an improvement and won't have to send your camera in. I don't have either this camera or lens so am just going by the exif data in your photos. Others with this gear may have better suggestions.

Nick