Newbie feeling very deflated focussing issues

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Katie Skelton

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Katie
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I'm having focussing issues with my 50mm 1.8. I bought it on recommendation for my canon 1100d for taking pics of the kids. It just won't focus correctly and all my 'lovely' photos are ending up blurry. I'm using back button focus and focussing on the eyes but the face is all blurry. This was taken at 2.0 ss 1/1000 ish ISO 125. The same happens at different af (tried 4.0). I've been told it may be lens calibration but there are no micro adjustments on this model. I'm not sure how to add a pic here
 
no photo Katie? you can either download to the tp photogallery or use a free subscription of flickr etc

welcome to TP were here to help :)(y)
 
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If you upload it to a image host you can then paste the domain here.
 
Try focussing on a static object with the camera on a tripod and see if it is sharp. It could be down to user teqnique.
 
Sorry I only have the screen shot on my phone as I can't get on the internet via PC at the moment! It sometimes happens with a static object too. Do you mind me asking what user error it could be?
 
User technique could be when using narrow depth of field, the slightest movement when pressing the shutter could result in poor focus.
 
if you blat out the eyes Katie how are we supposed to see where your error is you said you focused on the eyes so we need to see them. help us out here
 
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when posting to the internet do you "sharpen for web" how are you editing your photos?
 
I spent most of last night calibrating my own 85. Ended up at +20! Right on the limit but images are much sharper now.

Tbh your pics look good and sharp but I can't check for critics sharpness on my phone.

Have you tried manual focusing? Did you use a flash as that can 'add' lots of sharpness in poor light.
 
No flash used. I've not done anything to the images apart from put them in to paint of all programmes! My computer which has photoshop is broken so am using a work one and the pics needed resizing so all I've done is change the pixels to allow for them to be uploaded here
 
The actual files when viewed on both of these are blurry at the point of supposed focus. Someone viewed the second one where he is crouched on the road and said the focus point seems to be on the road but I'm not sure. The first one with his hands near face is the worse and even without zooming in when the file comes up it looks out of focus on his face
 
Katie Skelton said:
The actual files when viewed on both of these are blurry at the point of supposed focus. Someone viewed the second one where he is crouched on the road and said the focus point seems to be on the road but I'm not sure. The first one with his hands near face is the worse and even without zooming in when the file comes up it looks out of focus on his face
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what image size are you using on your camera?
 
The largest one in jpeg but not raw. Am I saying the right thing?! Sorry I'm trying to learn!
 
Yes I'm just using the centre point and then recomposing using back button focus. So I think I'm doing it right - put the centre point over where I want the focus to be, press the back button then if need be move the camera to recompose?
 
Katie Skelton said:
The largest one in jpeg but not raw. Am I saying the right thing?! Sorry I'm trying to learn!
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yep thats ok as a beginner, so its not a low pixel count. which can make images look "soft" when blown up (enlarged).
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Try focussing on a static object with the camera on a tripod and see if it is sharp. It could be down to user teqnique.
Click to expand...

Just as a guess, I suspect that either you are moving the camera or the target is moving, it's very easy at wide apertures to miss the focus, as you press the shutter button.

Shart with a static object, something like the corner of a wall, and try shoting first at f4, then f2.8, then f2 and finally f1.8 and see if you can nail the focus. don't do anything fancy with the camera, just depress the shutter partway to focus, then fully to take picture. Just be careful not to move (or jolt) when pressing the shutter.

Something like this

 
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Katie Skelton said:
Yes I'm just using the centre point and then recomposing using back button focus. So I think I'm doing it right - put the centre point over where I want the focus to be, press the back button then if need be move the camera to recompose?
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as a test try focus and no recompose just to see if its pin sharp where you are focusing, do you hold the button down while recomposing ?if not it will refocus.
 
Thank you for all your help I shall try this. Until recently I wasn't using back button focus will that affect it? The subject was very still and I 'thought' I had everything focused correctly. Have just tried a few static pics on a bottle and even that's coming out blurry. I really think I'm not cut out for photography!!
 
dinorock said:
as a test try focus and no recompose just to see if its pin sharp where you are focusing, do you hold the button down while recomposing ?if not it will refocus.
Click to expand...

I've only just started back button focussing. Do I need to hold this down when recomposing? I'm not sure I recompossed these shots to be honest but I may have done
 
Katie Skelton said:
Thank you for all your help I shall try this. Until recently I wasn't using back button focus will that affect it? The subject was very still and I 'thought' I had everything focused correctly. Have just tried a few static pics on a bottle and even that's coming out blurry. I really think I'm not cut out for photography!!
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don't give in to easy, everyone thinks photography is EASY. especially with these magic modern cameras. there are a few things to learn, and the basics is the first step it will get better.
 
Katie Skelton said:
I've only just started back button focussing. Do I need to hold this down when recomposing? I'm not sure I recompossed these shots to be honest but I may have done
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yes yes yes this is your "user error"
 
I've never used bbf in my life...but I'm a bit rubbish anyway..

Can you try some tests in your kitchen or wherever ? use the timer on your camera to give you a (say) 2 second delay, half press to focus then shoot. See what you get then ie if you get sharp results or not
 
Thanks all I shall do this tomorrow and if you don't mind I'll post my results. Please feel very free to ignore though! Thanks again
 
Katie Skelton said:
I've only just started back button focussing. Do I need to hold this down when recomposing? I'm not sure I recompossed these shots to be honest but I may have done
Click to expand...

No, don't hold it down while recomposing as it'll change focus!
 
Why are you using bbf?
As a beginner it maybe best to stick with the "conventional" set up.
I have never used bbf, but funnily enough i was actually looking into it this evening, to see if I should give it a go.
 
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Katie Skelton said:
I've only just started back button focussing. Do I need to hold this down when recomposing? I'm not sure I recompossed these shots to be honest but I may have done
Click to expand...

I hope somebody more experienced with Canon 1100d will comment
is'nt 'focus - recompose' a throwback to manual cameras

why re-compose..?
does you camera have multi-selection focus points ..?..YES .quick search gives '''9-point AF system''
i would select 'single' and choose the one over the subject

-------------------------

from ''Trusted Reviews''
''...Autofocus is handled via a nine-point AF system that includes one cross-type sensor in the middle, with the other eight linear points arranged around in it in a diamond formation. AF points can be selected manually, or you can leave the camera to select its own focus points automatically. In addition, there are three AF modes to choose from: One-shot AF mode holds focus once the shutter button has been half-pressed, while AI Servo mode will automatically track a moving subject and keep it in focus. AI Focus mode, meanwhile, can automatically switch between the two..''
 
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and again from ''Trusted Reviews''

Auto depth-of-field mode............., you do need to exercise caution with it and keep a close eye on your ISO settings as the camera may choose a slower shutter speed than you can realistically shoot handheld.
In addition, the camera doesn’t always choose the AF points that you want it to.

(my bold)
 
Yardbent said:
I hope somebody more experienced with Canon 1100d will comment
is'nt 'focus - recompose' a throwback to manual cameras

why re-compose..?
does you camera have multi-selection focus points ..?..YES .quick search gives '''9-point AF system''
i would select 'single' and choose the one over the subject

-------------------------

from ''Trusted Reviews''
''...Autofocus is handled via a nine-point AF system that includes one cross-type sensor in the middle, with the other eight linear points arranged around in it in a diamond formation. AF points can be selected manually, or you can leave the camera to select its own focus points automatically. In addition, there are three AF modes to choose from: One-shot AF mode holds focus once the shutter button has been half-pressed, while AI Servo mode will automatically track a moving subject and keep it in focus. AI Focus mode, meanwhile, can automatically switch between the two..''
Click to expand...
You are correct.
 
Yardbent said:
I hope somebody more experienced with Canon 1100d will comment
is'nt 'focus - recompose' a throwback to manual cameras

why re-compose..?
does you camera have multi-selection focus points ..?..YES .quick search gives '''9-point AF system''
i would select 'single' and choose the one over the subject

-------------------------

from ''Trusted Reviews''
''...Autofocus is handled via a nine-point AF system that includes one cross-type sensor in the middle, with the other eight linear points arranged around in it in a diamond formation. AF points can be selected manually, or you can leave the camera to select its own focus points automatically. In addition, there are three AF modes to choose from: One-shot AF mode holds focus once the shutter button has been half-pressed, while AI Servo mode will automatically track a moving subject and keep it in focus. AI Focus mode, meanwhile, can automatically switch between the two..''
Click to expand...

Because there might not be an AF point where you want it, and most of the time it's just quicker rather than manually switching between AF points.
 
Yardbent said:
I hope somebody more experienced with Canon 1100d will comment
is'nt 'focus - recompose' a throwback to manual cameras

why re-compose..?
does you camera have multi-selection focus points ..?..YES .quick search gives '''9-point AF system''
i would select 'single' and choose the one over the subject

-------------------------

from ''Trusted Reviews''
''...Autofocus is handled via a nine-point AF system that includes one cross-type sensor in the middle, with the other eight linear points arranged around in it in a diamond formation. AF points can be selected manually, or you can leave the camera to select its own focus points automatically. In addition, there are three AF modes to choose from: One-shot AF mode holds focus once the shutter button has been half-pressed, while AI Servo mode will automatically track a moving subject and keep it in focus. AI Focus mode, meanwhile, can automatically switch between the two..''
Click to expand...
I still need to focus recompose sometimes as AF points don't go to the edges. Also the centre point is more accurate than the edges and I can sometimes get sharper shots focus and recompsing than using the outer points (low light, low contrast etc)
 
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