EF-S 55-250 STM IS focus issues?

Has anyone had a focus issue on an the EF-S 55-250 STM IS lens?  I have a 7d II and recently picked up a brand new copy of this lens.  Was testing out yesterday and on full zoom wide open (f/5.6), using back button focus, the lens could not acquire focus on my 2.5 year old daughter's face who was 3-4 feet away.  At every other focal length, there were no issues, but a full zoom so I could capture a look on her face (she was sitting - not moving around), it would not focus.  Stayed blurry in the viewfinder.

I don't have a picture or EXIF data because I didn't take the picture.

Figuring this was user error, as it so often is, I tried 2 or 3 times, pressing the AF-On button where I have it mapped and eventually would get focus.  I then waited a period of time and tried again - to zoom in to full focal length of 250 and could not acquire focus.  Again, it had been fine at interim lengths prior to that.

IS was on.

Just looking for thoughts - I am still within a return period so that isn't the issue...just wondered if it is again me.

Thanks in advance.

MFD (minimum focus distance) for this lens is 43 inches, or 3 1/2 feet. You say your daughter was 3 to 4 ft. away. I suggest this is why the lens did not focus: you were within the range. Try again when she is 5 or 6ft away. I don't think you will have any trouble then.

MFD (minimum focus distance) for this lens is 43 inches, or 3 1/2 feet. You say your daughter was 3 to 4 ft. away. I suggest this is why the lens did not focus: you were within the range. Try again when she is 5 or 6ft away. I don't think you will have any trouble then.

Yeap. That's the first thing i thought of too. MfD.

Abu Mahendra wrote:

MFD (minimum focus distance) for this lens is 43 inches, or 3 1/2 feet. You say your daughter was 3 to 4 ft. away. I suggest this is why the lens did not focus: you were within the range. Try again when she is 5 or 6ft away. I don't think you will have any trouble then.

Yeap. That's the first thing i thought of too. MfD.

Thank you both - she could very well have been within that distance.  I should have looked at that.  I appreciate the insight.

Matt

...now, if you wanna get in close to those tiny toddler heads, the 100L is the ticket...

Abu Mahendra wrote:

...now, if you wanna get in close to those tiny toddler heads, the 100L is the ticket...

Great captures.  I have the non L macro.  Been trying to figure out how to pull the trigger on the 100 L Macro.  In cost differential, it's nothing, but would have to get rid of the non L..and there's really no market for it.

The non L 100mm is a great lens.   There's not a lot of difference between them when used for portraits.   The big advantage of the 100mm L is the use of the image stabilizer when shooting macro subjects.

Drogba88 wrote:

The non L 100mm is a great lens. There's not a lot of difference between them when used for portraits. The big advantage of the 100mm L is the use of the image stabilizer when shooting macro subjects.

Thanks for the perspective.  Good points and I will put the L on my 'nice to have' vs the 'have to have' list.

Good reflections overall here..thank you both for your commentary.