[Dave_3]

I have a an E400D Canon camera but have never really been happy with the picture quality. Looking closely the images seem to be slightly blurred - never really crisp. Using AF.

I have a few lenses that I use (Standard Canon, Sigma 80-300, Sigma 4.5 fiseye) using both JPEG and RAW and ISO 100/200, and the images using a tripod just don't seem to have the resolution/crispness I'm after. I'll post a few examples later.

Is this a known problem - can the autofocus drift ?

Thanks,

D.

[Budgie]

Dave i know not related exactly but ive seen hi res versions of a 450D and they were simply stunning to see.

I had a go and to be honest im no david bailey but it seemed simple and even my pics come out well.

Technically i can ask this guy across the office in a mo if you wish.He is a guru of cameras.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

I have a an E400D Canon camera but have never really been happy with the picture quality. Looking closely the images seem to be slightly blurred - never really crisp. Using AF.

I have a few lenses that I use (Standard Canon, Sigma 80-300, Sigma 4.5 fiseye) using both JPEG and RAW and ISO 100/200, and the images using a tripod just don't seem to have the resolution/crispness I'm after. I'll post a few examples later.

Is this a known problem - can the autofocus drift ?

Thanks,

D.

Yes, technically the autofocus can drift, although it's very very unlikely. It's more likely that the sensor itself is dirty. You might need to get your camera in for a service and autofocus reset. The only other reason for a blurry picture, other than slow shutter speeds etc, is that the lenses are back-focussed (ie focussing off the back element rather than the front). However, I would think this extremely unlikely as it's happening across all your lenses. You've obviously cleaned the lenses etc...??

I obviously don't know anywhere in Switzerland that do servicing, but you could always send the camera body to me in London and I can whip it round to Fixation UK (www.fixationuk.com) who are quite simply the best servicing centre in the UK...

[Budgie]

ok i showed him what tony has wrote and says thats about all there is to it...and said fixationuk ..have the best quality service and turnaround times in the uk bar none.

[Dave_3]

Thanks a lot guys for the speedy replies.

I'll post an example tonight - just for quick comment before I look at getting it serviced.

D.

[RCUK]

btw - for a really good decent cheap lens have a look at the 50mm 1.8 lens - about £60.

I have the 400d and my wife has been using it to take pics of our little guy and the results are stunning.

[mistry]

To check of it's back focusing, get a ruler in a straight line in front of you and focus on a number and take a pic, then inspect the photo to see which marker is sharpest, you'll soon see where it is focusing. As it's efecting all the lens it might be worth cleaning the contacts on the lens and camera body with an eraser, in case they are dirty and effecting the AF.

I've also heard good things about fixationuk, but I'd be surprised if you needed a service already. I've had my 30D for 2 years and never done anything apart from clean the sensor with a Giotto blower.

But post a photo and tell us where you focused.

[mistry]

This page explains how to check if your focusing OK

http://photo.net/learn/focustest/

[Dave_3]

Bit dark at the moment to try the focus test.

Here are some examples of what I get - set at ISO200 and Automatic Focus, manual settings. 2 excerpts (1:1 from camera JPEG) and a thumbnail.

The full image as created by my 400D is here :

LINK TO PIC ~ 3Mb

Is this to be expected ? Seems VERY soft.

D.

[mistry]

I see you used a shutter speed of 1/50, which could cause it, did you use a tripod?

[E92Fan]

That's exceptionally soft. Even at 1/50th shutter speed, there's way too much detail masking going on. It's not even as though it's camera shake - there just isn't any detail. Have you checked the sharpening settings within the camera itself? Maybe you've turned it all the way down...?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

That's exceptionally soft. Even at 1/50th shutter speed, there's way too much detail masking going on. It's not even as though it's camera shake - there just isn't any detail. Have you checked the sharpening settings within the camera itself? Maybe you've turned it all the way down...?

I have a Nikon D80 with the same trouble.

Ever since the 'Nikon authorised' guy at Jessops cleaned the sensor all over with a sensor cleaning pen at the counter its never been the same - to remove a bit of dust that wouldn't shift with a blower.

Since then I notice the manual says NEVER touch the sensor - something to do with a moire filter or something?

Dave_3 - have you touched / cleaned the sensor?

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

That's exceptionally soft. Even at 1/50th shutter speed, there's way too much detail masking going on. It's not even as though it's camera shake - there just isn't any detail. Have you checked the sharpening settings within the camera itself? Maybe you've turned it all the way down...?

Mmmm ... double checked and I had the settings at neutral and faithful, but it looks like every setting sets the sharpness to the lowest value. I have since tried with moving the sharpness setting from the default 0 to 7. Not good light to try a good new pic. Few quick tests didn't show much improvement. I'll post when I get a good pic in good light.

Originally Posted by doughboy

Dave_3 - have you touched / cleaned the sensor?

No, not purposely. And I always shield the camera body when swapping lenses.

Just not happy with the lack of crispness. Was expecting so much more. Had a 300D for a project once and was happy with the reults.

D.

[Dave_3]

Sunny day today ... so popped out to try a new scene. Set on super sharp custom settings, and then sharpened some more from the RAW files, then merged exposures for a tone mapped backplate. Basically same for HDRI environment map.

You can find the env map here if you want a look : 360 Panorama (Flash) ~3Mb

Popped in my old friend ... and rendered. Getting there. Need more resolution in the environment map. The new EOS 50D looks like a good compromise between resolution and cost.

D.

[NathanJT]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

The new EOS 50D looks like a good compromise between resolution and cost.

Some nice features but noise can be an issue at higher ISO compared to the 40D.

I'm skipping this generation OR buying a 5D MkII.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by NathanJT

Some nice features but noise can be an issue at higher ISO compared to the 40D.

I'm skipping this generation OR buying a 5D MkII.

I noticed that the 50D offers some quite high ISO values.

But at pretty normal ISO values (say 100-400) and the much higher resolution than my EOS400D (10mp compared with the EOS 50D's 15mp - 4752 x 3168 ) I would hope to have more information to work on than before ?

The only thing I can't see if the 50D is still limited to +/- one stop for bracketing. Ideally I would like a few more stops each side, which I know the more expensive Canon cameras offer.

What are the advantages of the 5D ?

D.