Tripod, Cable Release, Timer, Still blur........

[Michele]

Could there be a reason for camera fault in anyway, or should I be looking at something else? I am going to learn and try mirror lock-up in the next day or two and see what happens with that. Its just not the same subjects as I am now 4-6 hours away from both these places, but will find something and do before and after photos.

Yes, Rocket Scientist also just came to the conclusion of left to right motion as well. (Email photos). Thank you both for your input and help!!

Michele

[ohenry]

Michele...it was fairly consistant with my camera...varying amongst the different lenses however. The primes were much better, but still showed poor focus. As already pointed out, do your testing with IS off and again with IS on...check the differences.

[Michele]

Thank you Ohenry and I will. Do you mean do the IS turned on while on tripod or off tripod? I have photos from this weekend with the smaller lens with using IS and IS off but not on tripod. IS on handhold, IS off on tripod.

Michele

[ohenry]

I meant while on the tripod. Try to eliminate all aspects of possible error when testing your lenses

[Michele]

Gotcha.. Thank you, Ohenry..

[JKSeidel]

Oops... misread part of an earlier post. Original response was in error. Sorry.

[RobAmy]

Michelle, you mention you have to learn mirror lock up. Its very easy, go into your menu and you can set it to on. ( it would be great for a external button for this)

Custom Functions for the 20d

01 0 - The set button (in the middle of the back dial) does nothing when shooting
02 1 - Turns on noise reduction for long exposures
03 1 - Locks 1/250 sync in Av mode
04 1 - Set focus to back button (use 0 if you prefer to focus with the shutter)
05 2 - Only fire AF assist light when using external flash
06 0 - 1/3 stop exposure increments
07 0 - Affects built-in flash when in program mode
08 0 - Turns off ISO expansion (3200)
09 0 - Auto bracketing sequence
10 0 - Focus point lights up in viewfinder
11 1 - When hitting menu button, it defaults to the previous selected menu item. We suggest leaving this on FORMAT so you can reformat quickly every time you put a new card in the camera
12 0 - Setting this to 1 locks up the mirror
13 1 - Allows focus point selection using the multi-selector (the little joystick on the back)
14 0 - E-TTL II flash mode
15 0 - 1st curtain flash sync
16 0 - Disables safety shift in Av or Tv mode
17 0 - Sets black button on front of long lenses to AF stop
18 0 - Used only for data verification kit


Setting # 12 to 1 will lock up the mirror

[badpickev]

the 3265 - Load Capacity 5.50 lb (2.49 kg) I am thinking its tripod or head. I have heard that he bogen tripods loosen up after a bit.

weight wise
20D - 1.5 pounds
70-200 - 3.5 pounds
28-135 - 1.1 pounds

so i would expect to see more of this with the 70-200. you are just under the weight limit. its odd that you are reporting more of an issue wtih the lighter setup. this to me indicates a problem with the head or tripod.

[Rokcet Scientist]

BTW: when using the selftimer on tripod, set it to 10 seconds delay rather than 2. Maybe that is enough time to make the camera's 'swinging' subside (if it is that it's doing) before the exposure.

[Michele]

I didn't realize you could set the self timer to another length besides the default of 10seconds. Yes,it was on 10 seconds.

Thank you Rob for the great info and help....

badpickev: images came out a tad better using the longer lens on the tripod than the shorter lens. the longer lens has a mount ring that I set it to the tripod with. the shorter lens, the camera body is attached to the tripod.

i will let you know what the results are in the next couple of days when i can go out and try all the testing. thank you all for your support and help!

[badpickev]

Originally Posted by Michele

badpickev: images came out a tad better using the longer lens on the tripod than the shorter lens. the longer lens has a mount ring that I set it to the tripod with. the shorter lens, the camera body is attached to the tripod.

to me this is telling. the lens with the mount is centered over the head. so it should not vibrate as much. seeing how that is true. we come back to the use of the tripod. how high was the center column raised? the higher its raised, the more vibrations are intruduced. if you can borrow a frinds tripod that has a different head, we will know.

[Michele]

The center column was not raised at all. To me if I raise it, then it turns into more of a monopod and less stable. Unfortunately, no one within two in a half hours of me shoots with a tripod. I think you do make a valid point and am interested in sugesstions..

Thank you....

[badpickev]

ok try this one. mount the camera to the tripod. thats right remove the head. i am guessing that either the tripod is no longer sturdy or the head is not. by mounting the camera or lens directly to the tripod we should get our answer. a few thoughts on this. check all the fittings on the tripod. make sure none of the bolts or nuts have come loose. make sure the tripods is on secure footing. i know it sounds silly, but you never know when your son will use your tripod for batting practice.

i keep thinking on how the camera mounted was less secure. you might have an issue with the mounting plate being secure, or securing tight to the camera and or lens.

[Michele]

First off, I want to thank everyone who helped me here. I really, really appreciate it!!

Anyway, I tested my lenses, camera, tripod (head off and on), mirror lock up, no mirror lock up, timer, cable release, IS on, IS off, fast shutter speed better than slow. I still had the same issues and no set up better than the other. . Hand held is the best for when I have a fast enough shutter to hand hold it steady. I then put my other camera body through the same things and no problems.

Michele

[dc2]

Looks like it back to the shop.
Whats your other camera?

[Rokcet Scientist]

That's a bitch, Michelle.
Good luck with it.

[Michele]

DC2: Canon Digital Rebel (first digital camera). Upgraded to the 20D last June and haven't liked it much yet. Sending it back to Canon for the fourth time and hopefully this will be a new beginning when I get it back.

[dc2]

Originally Posted by Michele

DC2: Canon Digital Rebel (first digital camera). Upgraded to the 20D last June and haven't liked it much yet. Sending it back to Canon for the fourth time and hopefully this will be a new beginning when I get it back.

Fourth time and its still not right ah thats frustrating . Hope they get it right .
I heard you guys have a law about sending things back more than 3 times then you can ask for a replacement . Is this true?

[Michele]

Never heard anything like that, but I don't know much about this thing... New to me..