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Soft Focus Issue

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MeyerG

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I am a devoted Canon owner who has owned only Canon's. I recently sold my 20D to upgrade to the 40D. I use only L series lenses and center point focus. In the several weeks I've owned the 40D, taking both indoor studio and outdoor portraits the focusing has been much softer than my 20D. In fact, using the center point aimed directly at a face or chest seems to be softer than some areas outside of the center point. I spoke to the Camera shop where I purchased the camera and they said I am the 3rd person to report the soft focus issue. Any thoughts because I am not getting the ultra sharp photos which appear on this forum even with post processing. I typically shoot in RAW but have tested this in both RAW and Jpeg formats. I look forward to you assistance.
 
I went thru 2 40d's. Same issues as you. I went back to my 20d.
--
Steve
 
I have but even with that, the out of the camera sharpness of the 40D cannot compare to the 20D. A little concerning when I am taking portraits which I am being compensated for and concerned over the sharpness. Thanks,
 
I suggest you do some tests where you put the camera on a tripod and shoot the shot letting the camera focus using center point and then do the same again except use live view. Try different subjects at various distances (preferably different lenses), alternating between center focus and live view manual focus and see if they are appreciably different. If so, I'd send the camera back to Canon Service and have it repaired.
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Ingo

pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/ingor
 
You're not the only one. But it's more like out of focus on mine. I shot about 200 frames in Olympia and 1/3 were out of focus. Shot a family reunion and a bunch more out of focus. Reviewed all the focus points in ZoomBrowser and out of focus on both the 16-35 and 24-105. Darn, I sold my 1DsMk2 to buy a 1DsMk3, but with all the problems surrounding the 1ds3 and now the 40D, I should have kept my 1Ds2. Oh well live and learn.
Dave
 
I find that most of my images are fine and sharpen up nicely in PS like this one.



Maybe you have a bad sample. Can you try to put the camera on a tripod, AF on a contrasty object and check with LiveView if the focus is dead-on?

Cheers, Erik
 
MeyerG said:
.... In fact, using the center point aimed directly
at a face or chest seems to be softer than some areas outside of the
center point.
Click to expand...
Are you saying that when you use the center AF point, aimed directly at the subject's face, the focus is off? Or are you saying that no matter what, the center of the image is soft compared to outside areas?

If there is a part of the image which is always soft no matter how you focus, then I'd wonder if there might be something on the front sensor filter that's acting as a "smudge" of some kind and blurring everything under it no matter how you focus.

On the other hand, if you're just saying that AF is off, then that's a more common issue, I'd think.

If it's the latter, have you tried manually focusing? If so, what were the results?

And have you tried testing the AF by shooting with the camera on a tripod, at a fast shutter speed, at an object with good contrast like a calendar hanging on a wall or the like? If so, are those shots coming out soft too?

If it seems that the AF is out of calibration, I'd be tempted to try another body if your shop is willing to exchange the camera. Or you could send it in to Canon to be calibrated. The AF should be very good. I'm finding excellent AF with my 40D, so it's disappointing to hear of other people having problems.

If it's more like a softness issue that's not focus-related, then that does make me wonder if there's some contamination on the sensor filter. And if that's the case, then again, I'd be tempted to try another 40D from the shop if they'll do that for you. And if not, then the camera should go back to Canon for their assessment and repair (cleaning?).

I've noticed that there are some smudges on my 40D's mirror, but they don't affect the images, of course. I wonder if they've had some problems with lubricant getting where it's not supposed to be!

I can say that if my 40D is any indication, then you should be expecting and getting very good AF performance. For me, the 40D makes my 85mm f/1.8 useful wide open where it was always something of a disappointment on my 20D.

--
Jim H.
 
I was shooting a 30D and the out of camera images were very sharp and focus was always great.

I got a 40D on Aug 25th....to this day I have had very little success in getting back to the same 'out of camera' qualities that I prefer.

I have a replacement unit due to arrive this week. If its output is the same as my current body I will need to rethink my move.
wj
--
various cameras
 
Why take chances with a camera that might not be perfect from the start? If you're unhappy, return it and get another one. As one who did not do that with one of my DSLS, I heartily encourage you not to keep it unless that time is past!
 
I'm a Nikon guy considering buying Canon stuff. I bought a D200 that would not focus on ANYTHING about 75% of the time, so it is possible to get a bad camera. Shop blamed it on me, but finally they sent it back to Nikon and gave me my money back. It would not even focus on a soccer ball sitting in the lawn with focus lock on and center area autofocus. If it's not working for you, stick to your guns and get a refund.
 
i had problems a while back with my 30d which got replaced 3-4 times all with different problems mainly focus being soft and not af correctly.

you are allow to go into a shop and try out a 40d in store and compare this is something i done what i was at the end of my tether.

i went in store with the 30d i said was not focusing correctly they said the same old rubbish are you sure your useing it correctly blaa blaa so i said bring one out which they did i tested it there in the store the focus was out, i also done a f22 sensor dust test and when i showed them they were shocked i got my refund then got the 40d lol.

so my advice is got check out another in store or if you cannot do that just send it in to canon.

--
Shooting off
Wardenet

Visit WWW.DSLRLABS.COM
 
I have been noticing the same thing with my 40D compared to my 30D with the same 17-85mm IS lens. The 40D is soft 1/3 of the time. I hope Canon comes up with firmware upgrade soon with this. I was thinking it was just me but apparently now.
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Travis
http://www.photosbytravis.com
Canon EOS 40D, Canon EOS 30D and Digital Rebel User
 
do you think it's firmware fixable or will the camera have to be serviced?
 
I upgraded from 300D to 40D and find no apparent improvement of image quality (sharpness).
I like the camera, but there is OOF issue definitely.

Now I am trying different lenses: EFS 18-55, Sigma 18-200 (both purchased for 300D and at that time quite good), Sigma 50-150/2.8 APO EX DC (currently in service for calibration after two days using), the EF 50/1.4 and the EF 70-200/2.8 L IS USM (both borrowed).
 
Is it a focus issue or is it an anti-aliasing problem (image just appears softer but sharpens up nicely in PP)

You can check if the AF works properly by placing the camera on a tripod, autofocus and check with live-view 10x magnification if the focus is dead-on.

If the AF is off, return the camera and exchange it.
 
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