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denial of autofocus problem

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You said that you would "run around" with the camera after obtaining focus lock, and it wouldn't kick into AI-Servo and start refocusing.

That's definitely a problem.
Wild-Mike said:
Mine functions fine. Like many others that have posted to this
thread, their camera does "not" re-focus when they obtain focus
lock and then re-compose the shot.

Don't be silly :)
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
 
johnrweb said:
Steve,

Congratulation. This focus problem appears to be a quality control
issue. Most cameras don't have a problem, however a bunch of them
do have problem. The ones that lost the quality control lottery
are the ones complaining. Be glad you were lucky with your camera.
Click to expand...
Not sure why that would be a problem, send the camera into Canon for repair :)
johnrweb said:
John from Southern California
http://www.pbase.com/johnrweb/disneyconcerthall
http://www.pbase.com/domdom
F707 and 300D
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
Where have I ever tried to justify using a 1D here?

In fact, I rarely mention that I shoot with a 1D.

My belief is that the 300D should allow the user a choice of One-Shot or AI-Servo when in the Tv, Av, and M modes. Especially since AI-Servo is quirky, to say the least.
RATPhoto said:
In your case, the perception whether accurate or not is that you
are just trying to justify your expensive camera. Send me your
camera and I'll happily stop using mine. Until then, I find the
300D very usable.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
 
I didn't say that, someone else did ...I thought we were on the same page when I read your other posts :)
DavidP said:
That's definitely a problem.
Wild-Mike said:
Mine functions fine. Like many others that have posted to this
thread, their camera does "not" re-focus when they obtain focus
lock and then re-compose the shot.

Don't be silly :)
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
Hi Darko,

I, too, found that AI servo would kick in too often to my taste when I got the camera, but strangely (or not?) I stopped having this problem as soon as I applied firmware upgrade 1.1.1

Probably worth a try if you haven't done it.

Cheers!
--
Regards,
FuBenChu

My vaguely interesting pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/benp

 
To read some of the posts, you'd think people want a finely tooled machine that never fails, is utterly perfect, and never shhots bad photos!

For me the 300D is rock solid and predictable.

To wit: I just shot 270 frames of a "Breakfast with Santa" and my son's school yesterday. The shooting was fast and furious I had to totally depend on the multipoint selection abilities. The verdict: NO out of focus photos in the lot. No front focusing, no back focusing. All shots right on focus-wise. A couple of under-exposed shots when I fooled the meter with Santa's huge beard. In portrait orientation the sensors had an uncanny knack of hitting the right spot. If not (a couple of times) I panned-focused-reframed as described in message #1. No failures.

But here's the aded kicker, and why I would not go the Olympus route (at this time):

I used hotlights, and was able to use heavily diffused quartz lights (1,000 W and 500 W) at ISO 800 to get typical exposures of f5.6 @ 1/60. The 4x6 prints (Epson 1280) show far less grain than a typical Fuji or Kodak 800 speed film. PopPhoto and others have rated the E1's noise at 800 unacceptable. That fact severely limits my use of a camera, since I don't have a bevy of super speed lenses or a few grand of studio falsh to work with.

Lastly, I took a bunch of diffiult shots around the Christmas tree last night in very low light

So, I am sorry that some people have been having troubles, but the 300D is a GEM for me!

--Steve D
 
He posts one post in the last two months and this is the post. And the post is about a problem that doesn't exist in most eveyone's camera that has posted here.

Who is he??? and what is he up to???
Darko Juvan said:
Some members of this forum deny 300D autofocus problem. I want to
make simple clear case upon just one problem - autofocus, recompose
in 300D in creative Av or Tv mode. Here we go:
  • 300D is $1000 camera
  • $1000 cameras should allow people to be creative with their tool,
so 300D has creative modes - like Av and Tv.
  • creative modes, like Av and Tv, allow you to control DOF, shoot
in RAW, adjust ISO...
  • one of the first thing you learn about taking pictures is to
avoid putting your subject in dead center of the frame.
  • focus-recompose is one of the basic functions in creative
photography and technique to avoid putting subject in center of
frame.
  • to be able to reliably focus on desired spot you have to know
where camera will focus so we will use center AF spot.
  • to reliably focus-recompose:
  • frame your target-spot in center of frame
  • half-press shutter button and lock focus on target spot
  • recompose your picture
  • press shutter button all the way down
This is basic of the basic technique in taking pictures. I have
problem with this technique with my 300D. Half of the time I have
pictures that are out of the focus because AI Servo will kick in
and change focus.

Anybody think that Canon made $1000 camera that cannot do
focus-recompose?

Anybody think that Canon deliberately put such a limitation in
their camera?

I think it's a bug - huge one and IMHO Canon must respond -
ignorance wont help since this problem is here to stay until is
solved..

Darko

PS
I respect this site and my decision to buy 300D was mainly based
upon 300D review from this site. I would like to hear from Phil
about this problem since I didn't find anything about it in his
review.
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
Paul Worden said:
Paul Worden said:
I think it's a bug - huge one and IMHO Canon must respond - ignorance > wont help since this problem is here to stay until is solved..
Click to expand...
THERE IS NO BUG

I don't think what I say here will persuade you, because you and
some others don't understand what happens and how to stop it.
(I'll confess it took me a couple of days to fully understand and I
did so by CAREFULLY reading what others have to say in this Forum.)

Canon have fitted the 300D with a predictive, multi-point
auto-focus system.

For point and shoot amateurs, this works very well. It tracks
movement and focusses on the nearest moving object. It will
continue to adjust focus and there is no way WITH MULTI POINT
SENSORS ACTIVE to disable that.

BUT

If you deselect all but one focus sensor point, the camera can't
detect movement. With only one point active, you can focus on one
object, half press the shutter and recompose.

The focus does not unlock - I have tested this by RUNNING around
after focussing on a close object and THE AF STAYS LOCKED.

There's no "bug."

If Canon are at fault, it's by not explaining this more thoroughly
in the manual. It IS explained on page 62 and I quote

"Manual AF point selection

You can select any one of the seven AF points manually. This is
best when you want to be sure to focus on a particular subject, or
to use quick AF function to help you compose a particular shot
quickly."

Canon know how predictive AF works and they know how focus lock
works and they've told you about it in the manual.

I believe the expression is "Sheeeeeez"
--
Paul Worden
Click to expand...
You are correct, I have read the threads by many for weeks, there may be some that have a defective camera, Canon will fix it.

If one carefully reads most of complaints you will see that various problems the users are having are ALL LUMPED into one so called problem but many of the users do not understand the whole system

and in many cases its operator error. There may be some limitations to the camera but all cameras have limitations and the 300d is superior in a new format. Some just will not relearn. Jim

--

My first language is English, my second is, trying to get the first one right. Photography is a reflection of the heart and mind. JJC
 
The Drebel is really an amazing dslr most of the time, but I've used $300.00 P+S's that are much more consistant. Mine will probably be on ebay soon.

The 10D has misfocussing problems and the Drebel has exposure problems. Must I go to the 1D and get the moire problems instead?

Or should I just get that D100 with the superior focussing but softer images? John
Darko Juvan said:
Some members of this forum deny 300D autofocus problem. I want to
make simple clear case upon just one problem - autofocus, recompose
in 300D in creative Av or Tv mode. Here we go:
  • 300D is $1000 camera
  • $1000 cameras should allow people to be creative with their tool,
so 300D has creative modes - like Av and Tv.
  • creative modes, like Av and Tv, allow you to control DOF, shoot
in RAW, adjust ISO...
  • one of the first thing you learn about taking pictures is to
avoid putting your subject in dead center of the frame.
  • focus-recompose is one of the basic functions in creative
photography and technique to avoid putting subject in center of
frame.
  • to be able to reliably focus on desired spot you have to know
where camera will focus so we will use center AF spot.
  • to reliably focus-recompose:
  • frame your target-spot in center of frame
  • half-press shutter button and lock focus on target spot
  • recompose your picture
  • press shutter button all the way down
This is basic of the basic technique in taking pictures. I have
problem with this technique with my 300D. Half of the time I have
pictures that are out of the focus because AI Servo will kick in
and change focus.

Anybody think that Canon made $1000 camera that cannot do
focus-recompose?

Anybody think that Canon deliberately put such a limitation in
their camera?

I think it's a bug - huge one and IMHO Canon must respond -
ignorance wont help since this problem is here to stay until is
solved..

Darko

PS
I respect this site and my decision to buy 300D was mainly based
upon 300D review from this site. I would like to hear from Phil
about this problem since I didn't find anything about it in his
review.
Click to expand...
 
PearlRider mode on:
How do you KNOW this? Aren't you just ASSuming this?
PearlRider mode off:

Seriously, has ANYBODY sent back the camera for this issue and had it "fixed" yet?

Not that I've heard of.
JJ.SHOOTER said:
You are correct, I have read the threads by many for weeks, there
may be some that have a defective camera, Canon will fix it.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
 
Clearly, he's a man who's "out taking pictures", so doesn't have time for the forum.

Isn't that what everybody says the "whiners" should be doing? Out taking so many pics they can't post often?

And now, somebody does it, and gets questioned about it.

You can't win for losing! LOL
Wild-Mike said:
He posts one post in the last two months and this is the post. And
the post is about a problem that doesn't exist in most eveyone's
camera that has posted here.

Who is he??? and what is he up to???
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
 
I guess we should be, but my photo season is the spring summer and fall :)

The only thing I do in the winter is snowmobile and couch potato!
DavidP said:
Isn't that what everybody says the "whiners" should be doing? Out
taking so many pics they can't post often?

And now, somebody does it, and gets questioned about it.

You can't win for losing! LOL
Wild-Mike said:
He posts one post in the last two months and this is the post. And
the post is about a problem that doesn't exist in most eveyone's
camera that has posted here.

Who is he??? and what is he up to???
Click to expand...
--
http://www.outboundmusic.com
Your link to independent music!
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
Just after I posted the past messages I saw the kids playing outside. I shot a photo of my daughter through the trees and cropped the image to focus on her, about 9% of the image. Used Canon 28-135 IS at 5.6, 1/60, ISO 400, about 110mm zoom.



The camera had, as you can see, much opportunity to refocus, but did not. The image is a little soft as the chosen focus point is 1 to 2 feet behind where she is. The point is that the focus held as neither the trees are tack sharp...nor is she.

Focus-Hold-Reframe works on my 300D (original Firmware).

--Steve
 
Darko Juvan said:
Some members of this forum deny 300D autofocus problem. I want to
make simple clear case upon just one problem - autofocus, recompose
in 300D in creative Av or Tv mode. Here we go:
  • 300D is $1000 camera
  • $1000 cameras should allow people to be creative with their tool,
so 300D has creative modes - like Av and Tv.
  • creative modes, like Av and Tv, allow you to control DOF, shoot
in RAW, adjust ISO...
  • one of the first thing you learn about taking pictures is to
avoid putting your subject in dead center of the frame.
  • focus-recompose is one of the basic functions in creative
photography and technique to avoid putting subject in center of
frame.
  • to be able to reliably focus on desired spot you have to know
where camera will focus so we will use center AF spot.
  • to reliably focus-recompose:
  • frame your target-spot in center of frame
  • half-press shutter button and lock focus on target spot
  • recompose your picture
  • press shutter button all the way down
This is basic of the basic technique in taking pictures. I have
problem with this technique with my 300D. Half of the time I have
pictures that are out of the focus because AI Servo will kick in
and change focus.

Anybody think that Canon made $1000 camera that cannot do
focus-recompose?

Anybody think that Canon deliberately put such a limitation in
their camera?

I think it's a bug - huge one and IMHO Canon must respond -
ignorance wont help since this problem is here to stay until is
solved..

Darko

PS
I respect this site and my decision to buy 300D was mainly based
upon 300D review from this site. I would like to hear from Phil
about this problem since I didn't find anything about it in his
review.
Click to expand...
but it won't lock focus all the time and if you have a nice contrasty L lens it seems to make it worse or it could be the 400mm focal length, my kit lens works better for recomposing, I'm not going to waste anymore time arguing with people who can't see the problem or don't experience the problem, i'm simply going to right to canon at this address and recommend everyone else do the same. If you don't experience this problem and would like to, just buy a $1,000 400mm f5.6L.

Mr. Kinya Uchida
President CEO
Canon U.S.A. Inc.
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042

May not solve anything, but to not try would be stupid.

the camera still takes great pics despite this flaw. here's one i shot today, my first raw pic



Not to mention FTM lenses won't work with the rebel.
 
Paul Worden said:
THERE IS NO BUG

The focus does not unlock - I have tested this by RUNNING around
after focussing on a close object and THE AF STAYS LOCKED.
Click to expand...
Bugs are elusive - the fact that the bug does not occur on your camera does not negate its existence.

I set my camera to center focus point only, manual mode, half press the shutter, rotate camera slightly to the right and generally the AI servo kicks in. When AI servo starts it begins continuous refocus from that point on even thought the shutter button is still half pressed. The random thing is sometimes AI servo kicks in one second after recomposing - sometimes 3-4 seconds.
 
DreamU, it's pretty obvious that your camera is not functioning the same as most of the other people posting to this thread. Why don't you send it in to get fixed
That's what I would do, no sense in putting up with issues like that.

Regards,
Mike
DreamU said:
DreamU said:
THERE IS NO BUG

The focus does not unlock - I have tested this by RUNNING around
after focussing on a close object and THE AF STAYS LOCKED.
Click to expand...
Bugs are elusive - the fact that the bug does not occur on your
camera does not negate its existence.

I set my camera to center focus point only, manual mode, half press
the shutter, rotate camera slightly to the right and generally the
AI servo kicks in. When AI servo starts it begins continuous
refocus from that point on even thought the shutter button is still
half pressed. The random thing is sometimes AI servo kicks in one
second after recomposing - sometimes 3-4 seconds.
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
Paul Worden said:
THERE IS NO BUG

If you deselect all but one focus sensor point, the camera can't
detect movement. With only one point active, you can focus on one
object, half press the shutter and recompose.

The focus does not unlock - I have tested this by RUNNING around
after focussing on a close object and THE AF STAYS LOCKED.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid you're mistaken on this occasion, Paul. I only ever use one focus point, and the camera most certainly can and does detect movement.

I usually get away with recomposing, but not always - perhaps there is usually sufficient jump in focus distance at the selected point for the camera not to interpret the change in contrast as subject movement?

Incidentally, I can't help noticing that people here are using the expression "focus lock" in two completely opposite ways. Those who don't have trouble with the focus, recompose, shoot routine feel that once the camera has focussed it 'locks' at that distance. It's as though the camera has found a good focus and is now satisfied and gives up searching.

But those who have trouble preventing the camera entering AI servo mode are finding that the camera locks onto the scene immediately behind the selected focus point(s) and continues to track or remain "locked-onto" whatever lies in that direction, unfortunately altering focus distance as the camera is panned during the recomposing of the shot. In this case it's as though the camera is never satisfied with the focus it has obtained and is always checking to see if it can't do even better. This is great if it's appropriate to whatever you happen to be photographing, but annoying beyond belief if it's preventing you from using your camera properly!

I don't think it would be asking too much to be allowed to deselect the possibility/risk of AI servo mode via a menu. I doubt that it will happen, but it would be welcomed by some if it did.

--
David Barker
 
johnd1 said:
Darko Juvan said:
Some members of this forum deny 300D autofocus problem. I want to
make simple clear case upon just one problem - autofocus, recompose
in 300D in creative Av or Tv mode. Here we go:
  • 300D is $1000 camera
  • $1000 cameras should allow people to be creative with their tool,
so 300D has creative modes - like Av and Tv.
  • creative modes, like Av and Tv, allow you to control DOF, shoot
in RAW, adjust ISO...
  • one of the first thing you learn about taking pictures is to
avoid putting your subject in dead center of the frame.
  • focus-recompose is one of the basic functions in creative
photography and technique to avoid putting subject in center of
frame.
  • to be able to reliably focus on desired spot you have to know
where camera will focus so we will use center AF spot.
  • to reliably focus-recompose:
  • frame your target-spot in center of frame
  • half-press shutter button and lock focus on target spot
  • recompose your picture
  • press shutter button all the way down
This is basic of the basic technique in taking pictures. I have
problem with this technique with my 300D. Half of the time I have
pictures that are out of the focus because AI Servo will kick in
and change focus.

Anybody think that Canon made $1000 camera that cannot do
focus-recompose?

Anybody think that Canon deliberately put such a limitation in
their camera?

I think it's a bug - huge one and IMHO Canon must respond -
ignorance wont help since this problem is here to stay until is
solved..

Darko

PS
I respect this site and my decision to buy 300D was mainly based
upon 300D review from this site. I would like to hear from Phil
about this problem since I didn't find anything about it in his
review.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
300D Gallery:
http://tkis.com/wild-mike/

Boat Party Pics:
http://wnyboaters.com/

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as judge in the field of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods. -- Albert Einstein
 
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