Big Issues

[Nemesis]

As I said a couple of years ago I am relatively new to photography, everything I have done has been self taught but recently I am having problems with auto focus.

I am using
Canon 5D MKII
Canon 7D
Canon L Series 24-105mm F4
Canon L series 70-200mm F4 Non IS
Canon 50mm £99 jobby

For some unknown reason I seem to be getting soft focus on everything, is there an in camera sharpening option that Im missing?

I have tried the forward/back focusing chart and the sharpest part is the centre although this is not sharp in itself.

Baffled seems Canon want £400 just to check them.... Hoping someone here will have the answer before I have to shell out..

Thanks Guys..

[miketoll]

How very strange, all lenses on both bodies?

If that is correct then there must be some common denominator, what settings are you using for your autofocus and what shutter speed settings?

[graham harcombe]

Perhaps it's just coincidence, but I have been trying to get information about fine tuning the focus on my 450D. In doing so I have stumbled across this page which relates specifically to the 7d, but I intend to follow it through as far as it applies to my camera anyway.

Hope it helps.

[miketoll]

Very useful link Graham, I have put it in favourites in case I ever need it.

[Nemesis]

Just trying the battery trick with both of mine, cheers for the link.
Usually have it on Single Point Spot Focus
This is generally in AV mode as it is what I use mainly but also noticable in Manual.
ISO 100 or 200 outside and min ISO 800 inside Faithful Setting

[Gidders]

If its both bodies & all three lenses that would be very odd. Can you get a sharp shot using manual focus & live view?

Can you post an example?

[postcardcv]

That does sound very strange indeed - I have both of those cameras too and have used all three of those lenses and found that they all gave good results on any body (I have never had a body/lens calibratted and never used microadjust). The 50mm is a bit soft wide open but sharpens up by about f2.2, the other two should be plenty sharp enough wide open but will sharpen up a bit a you stop down. My first thought is to check if you have filters on the lenses. Opinion as to whether a filter for protection is a good idea varies widely but it is very easy to prove that a filter does degrade the image quality. If you do have filters fitted they could account for the problem, especially if they are cheaper ones. Also don't be scared to push the ISO up to allow for faster shutter speeds (help avoid shake and motion blur), both your cameras are very good at high ISO especially the 5D.

[Nemesis]

You know what I will run some tests later now I have had the batteries out.. I may even change the cmos batteries.. Will do the same with both cameras and try and post up the results...
I have never managed a sharp shot with live view but can with manual focus..

Only very occasionally use filters and they are always Hoya Pro

[gordon g]

The only time I had a problem similar to this it turned out I had moved the dioptre adjustment in the view finder on my 1Ds11, which made me misfocuss all my images when using MF, but that wouldnt affect AF images, and would be a bit unlucky to have happen on both bodies...

[miketoll]

If it is all your equipment check what shutter speeds you are using in case it is camera shake.