Canon 5D MK2 focus issues

Mel1960

Mel1960

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Mel
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I did a wedding last week and noticed that for example when taking a picture of the bride and groom I was having to focus on either the bride or the groom, hold the focus and move the camera!
Have I got the settings right? Ive got the auto focus on, on all focus and single shot!
I cant remember having this problem before! What am I doing wrong? What other setting should I be on when taking bride and groom portraits so that they are both in focus?
Thanks :bang:
 
You do have have to focus on the bride or groom to get them in focus....that is obvious.

If you mean that they are both not in focus because of a distance thing, then you have to change your aperture to a smaller f stop to allow more depth of field.

If they are moving then the all focus as in AI Servo (I think you mean) will not work if you then recompose the shot.

Your description is a bit vague so I am thinking April the 1st has come early to TP today.
 
Hi Mel, we will need more to go on as the cause/effect/solutions are vast.

What lens were you using, was it in daylight, what aperture settings were you using etc etc.

A couple of example pictures would also assist :thumbs:

Mark
 
Hi,
I was using a 24-105 L and I was having to focus on either the bride or the groom and recompose the shot so that they were both in focus! Sorry this sounds so idiotic, but I can't remember having to do that before??? Perhaps its something I did unconsiously!!!
I also use a Canon 5D and when I look through the viewfinder, the little red focus boxes can be put on a setting where they all work, but I can't seem to set up the 5D MK2 to do that!
 
Regardless of which AF settings (which AF points) you have active - getting both in 'focus' relies on you having the correct aperture / depth of focus.

Are you just saying that you can't set your AF settings on your 5D2 to replicate how you're used to shootiong with your 5D ?
 
Yes I think thats what Im saying??:cuckoo:
It is just so weird that I have never had a problem (could all be in my head!!!) until this last week!

Thank you everyone for your help :bonk:
 
Mel1960 said:
Hi,
I was using a 24-105 L and I was having to focus on either the bride or the groom and recompose the shot so that they were both in focus! Sorry this sounds so idiotic, but I can't remember having to do that before??? Perhaps its something I did unconsiously!!!
I also use a Canon 5D and when I look through the viewfinder, the little red focus boxes can be put on a setting where they all work, but I can't seem to set up the 5D MK2 to do that!
Click to expand...

It is April the 1st!!!!
 
Mel1960 said:
I did a wedding last week and noticed that for example when taking a picture of the bride and groom I was having to focus on either the bride or the groom, hold the focus and move the camera!
Have I got the settings right? Ive got the auto focus on, on all focus and single shot!
I cant remember having this problem before! What am I doing wrong? What other setting should I be on when taking bride and groom portraits so that they are both in focus?
Thanks :bang:
Click to expand...

Are you a professional wedding photographer ?
 
Mel1960 said:
Hi,
I was using a 24-105 L and I was having to focus on either the bride or the groom and recompose the shot so that they were both in focus! Sorry this sounds so idiotic, but I can't remember having to do that before??? Perhaps its something I did unconsiously!!!
I also use a Canon 5D and when I look through the viewfinder, the little red focus boxes can be put on a setting where they all work, but I can't seem to set up the 5D MK2 to do that!
Click to expand...

Sounds as if you are set on a single, rather than multiple, focus points. On the 5D2, press the button top right on the back of your camera, then rotate either of the command dials. You should see each focus points light up in turn as you look through the viewfinder (or on the back panel if you use the joystick to navigate into the relevant window). Eventually you will see all 9 points go red. The problem with multi-point is that the camera will tend to focus on the nearest object covered by a point - not always good. Using the centre point and re-composing gives you more control. (I think that's right - I never use multi-point so am not quite sure!)

Seems that you are a bit like me and a few others and have to ask questions in order to learn. We are not as lucky as some of the blessed types who are photographic geniuses and who never get anything wrong and were apparently born as fully-fledged photographers... :shake:
 
Hi,
Many thanks to elphesadente and especially Jon, who managed to understand my question and answer it perfectly without being sarcastic or unhelpful!
No I am not a professional wedding photographer, but I do second shoot and am constantly willing to learn and ask questions, and I thought that was what being a part of this forum was for?
So no it wasn't April 1st........just someone asking for help!
Just another quick question? Are all pro photographers born that way??????

Mel
 
I wasn't.

I learned by getting it wrong at first, asking questions, and slowly eliminating most of the errors. Others presumably differ...
 
as mentioned it does sound like you have it on single AF point, maybe the center one. which really is what you want, as multi point will pick any point it can focus on thats generally the closest rather than focus on what you want.

either leave it on center point and recompose (although not ideal at shallow DOF) or move the single AF point to where you want it using the joystick (consult your manual if unsure). be aware that some lenses are not as sharp when moving away from center point though.
 
Mel1960 said:
Hi,
Many thanks to elphesadente and especially Jon, who managed to understand my question and answer it perfectly without being sarcastic or unhelpful!
No I am not a professional wedding photographer, but I do second shoot and am constantly willing to learn and ask questions, and I thought that was what being a part of this forum was for?
So no it wasn't April 1st........just someone asking for help!
Just another quick question? Are all pro photographers born that way??????

Mel
Click to expand...

I refer you to post 2 which you ignored.
 
I'm sorry if my response caused any offence. Of course we all started out learning the basics and anyone who stops learning is stagnating. But in all honesty I'm surprised that someone who regularly second shoots is asking questions like this.

Weddings are a one shot gig - loads of pressure and the last place I would be wanting to work out how my cameras autofocus system works.

I'll finish when I started with an apology if I upset you but at least you will hopefully understand where my question comes from.
 
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