New test results -- where's my problem?

[E-Man]

Just to update, I just called the Canon Factory Service Center and described my problem with front focusing. I told them that I only had one lens, so they told me to send in both the camera and the lens along with a description and CD with the test images on it. It all just went out in the mail today, so we'll see what comes back. I was quoted 10-15 business days for service. I'm only 1 state away, so the mail should be quick.

I'll post another update when it comes back.

Eric

[waple]

Canon's service is awesome. It really is. This was the 2nd time I've had to send my 70-200/f4 in (with a 30D the first time and with the 40D this time). First time it was under waranty and this time it wasn't. They recalibrated for free. I was without the camera and lens for about 10 business days, if that. I have a 2nd body and more lenses so it wasn't a big deal.

[E-Man]

Good to hear that you've been pleased with their service. I hope to have the same experience!

Thanks!

[HuBBaTheMan]

i think i need to do that aswell. Am just about to buy a 5D as my new main house though so will wait until that is done and then toss in the 40D + 70-200 for recalibration. Having definate issues with front-focusing, especially at distances.

[E-Man]

After 2 weeks, my 40D and 24-105L lens were returned from Canon Factory Service. While I haven't had the chance to re-run my focus tests, the 100 or so shots that I took last night indicate a much more precise focus function!

The report on the body indicates that they updated the firmware (strange, since it was already at 1.0.8 and still is), "checked all, adjusted exposure and focus." For the lens, they "replaced mount rubber, checked all, adjusted center/tilt/focus." The exposure count indicates that they made over 100 exposures with the body while they had it.

Overall, the exposures with the 24-105 lens now look better as RAW (without any PP) than the pre-calibration exposures that already had USM applied.

What a tremendous difference and now I am seeing all of the detail that I was expecting to see when I first received the camera! Its like getting a brand new toy all over again!

If you are using L lenses and haven't had them calibrated, you just may be missing out... Definitely worth the 2 weeks without my camera!

[felix.reichardt]

Interesting test and result. Lately I faced problems with my 5D and various lenses. More OOF shots a before. Thought my technique of eyes were the problem but maybe the cam or/and lenses need calibration.

[E-Man]

I re-ran my focus tests with my 40D and 24-105L lens since its been calibrated. I wouldn't call them *perfect* (I tend to be very critical and obsess about details), but they are MUCH improved. The front focusing issue is gone on 3 of the 5 marked focal lengths of the lens and at the remaining focal lengths, its very, very small. Small enough that I am satisfied with its performance now. I figure given how quickly kids tend to move around, the focus will typically be off by that much anyhow due to movement...

Here is a capture I made this morning, along with a 100% crop of the eye I focused on. IMG_8373 small.JPGIMG_8373 100%.JPG

I'm very pleased with the level of detail now recorded.

I almost forgot to add: While I didn't notice any problems before calibration, the focus ring is now extreeeemly SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH. Nice work, Canon! Given the price of the L lenses, its a shame they don't tweak them all before they ship...

[LadyShutterbug]

Thank you so much for all the information. I keep thinking I've developed a tremor or something, as my shots seem blurry to me. I'm gonna do these tests as you described and mail mine off too! I am sooo excited to have better working cameras! Thank you thank you thank you!!

[E-Man]

You are quite welcome! I've been feeling guilty of late for threadjacking Waple (I'm sorry, Waple!), but the thread has remained on topic...

I figured that others would find something useful here.

[waple]

Originally Posted by E-Man

You are quite welcome! I've been feeling guilty of late for threadjacking Waple (I'm sorry, Waple!), but the thread has remained on topic...

I figured that others would find something useful here.

No problem! I'm all for helping out everyone and if this info helps someone else, then that's great. I'm glad I was able to help you

[E-Man]

Originally Posted by waple

No problem! I'm all for helping out everyone and if this info helps someone else, then that's great. I'm glad I was able to help you

Yes, you've been a great help, Waple! Thank you. It was this thread that got me looking more critically at the performance of my camera. I am now MUCH happier since its been tweaked!

[motox424]

Ok, after reading and following this thread, my curiousity got the best of me, and had to try this myself.

Here is what I came up with:

Both shots using a Canon XSi mounted with a Canon 70-300mm IS USM

Here is the EXIF data for the first pic using AF:

File name
IMG_3278.CR2
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Firmware
Firmware Version 1.0.4
Shooting Date/Time
8/17/2008 08:58:32
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/4Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F8.0
Metering Modes
Centerweighted average metering
Exposure Compensation
-1/2
ISO Speed
800
Lens
EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image size
4272 x 2848
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Tungsten
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard
Parameters
Tone Curve : Standard
Sharpness level : -
Pattern Sharpness : -
Contrast : 0
Sharpness : 3
Color saturation : 0
Color tone : 0
Long exposure noise reduction : Enable
High ISO speed noise reduction : Enable
Highlight tone priority : Enable
Color matrix
-
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
15390 KB
Dust Delete Data
No
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting
Now here is the pic:


Here is the EXIF data for the 2nd pic using manual Focus:
File name
IMG_3279.CR2
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Firmware
Firmware Version 1.0.4
Shooting Date/Time
8/17/2008 08:58:47
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/4Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F8.0
Metering Modes
Centerweighted average metering
Exposure Compensation
-1/2
ISO Speed
800
Lens
EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Focal Length
300.0 mm
Image size
4272 x 2848
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Tungsten
AF mode
Manual (MF)
Picture Style
Standard
Parameters
Tone Curve : Standard
Sharpness level : -
Pattern Sharpness : -
Contrast : 0
Sharpness : 3
Color saturation : 0
Color tone : 0
Long exposure noise reduction : Enable
High ISO speed noise reduction : Enable
Highlight tone priority : Enable
Color matrix
-
Color Space
sRGB
File Size
15307 KB
Dust Delete Data
No
Drive Mode
Single-frame shooting
Now here is the pic:



Side by side: the AF looks better for some reason

[E-Man]

Motox, I don't think I'd quibble about auto focus performing better than autofocus. Its a rare day that I use MF. Your AF image looks clean and sharp. I'm assuming you used a tripod, shutter delay, and mirror lockup...

As a follow-up to the calibration of my 24-105L and the 40D, I just received a new 70-200 2.8 IS L and it looks great. I haven't had the time yet to run the focus test on it, but images I've made with it over the past few days are razor sharp at 4.0, and just slightly soft at 2.8 at each marked focal length. I was a little concerned that they had tweaked the lens and body together and that the body might be "off" with another lens, but this is clearly not the case. They did a fine job with the calibration!