topic Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 19:52:55 GMT

I recently purchased a used Rebel 200d. I planned to use an EF-S 17-85 lens on it. When I mount this lens, I cannot get a sharp focus. Same thing with my EF 20-35 lens. Has anyone else run into this problem, or am I doing something wrong, or does the camera require servicing? Admittedly, this is a new camera for me. Thanks very much.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

Waddizzle — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 20:09:55 GMT

@FTBNLOVER wrote:
I recently purchased a used Rebel 200d. I planned to use an EF-S 17-85 lens on it. When I mount this lens, I cannot get a sharp focus. Same thing with my EF 20-35 lens. Has anyone else run into this problem, or am I doing something wrong, or does the camera require servicing? Admittedly, this is a new camera for me. Thanks very much.

Didn’t the camera come with a lens, or did you buy it used?

Make your lens is securely mounted. Make sure the lens AF/MF switch is set to AF. Switch the top dial on the camera to Green [A] mode. Go outside on a sunny day, and take some test shots of stuff that is 50-100 feet away from you.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 14:49:47 GMT

Thanks very much...I did that, and it seemed to work very well. However, if I set it to aperture priority (which I normally use), the result is soft and disappointing. Would an STM lens correct this? Again, thanks very much for your kind advice.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

ebiggs1 — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 14:52:56 GMT

"When I mount this lens, I cannot get a sharp focus."

What do you mean by sharp focus? Do you mean the pictures are not sharp or the viewfinder is not sharp? If the VF is not sharp the diopter may be off. Adjust it. Small wheel beside it.

If the photos are not sharp u/l a sample so I can see what might be the problem.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

kvbarkley — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:24:22 GMT

If it only happens in Av, are you sure it is not motion blur due to a slow shutter speed?

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

ebiggs1 — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:33:16 GMT

"I planned to use an EF-S 17-85 lens on it. When I mount this lens, I cannot get a sharp focus..." "... if I set it to aperture priority (which I normally use), the result is soft..."

OK, which is it or is it both? Does it only happen with this combo?

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 15:03:34 GMT

I've tried fiddling with the diopter dial, with no success/change in the unsharp photos. The AI option seems to work, but using this exclusively turns the camera into a large point-and-shoot camera only. I normally use Aperture priority. I am wondering if it is the lens which may need adjustment, replacing it with an STM lens, or formatting a new card. My last option...I'm doing something real stupid and don't know it.... Thanks for your advice.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 15:06:44 GMT

Could be, but I doubt it. I will pay more attention to my settings. Thanks for your suggestion.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

Waddizzle — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:32:49 GMT

If the camera and lens combo worked in Automatic mode, then you are likely the reason photos may not look right in Av mode.

On sunny day, any mode should work well, depending on distance to the subject in some modes. Try Auto mode again, then switch to Av mode.

You will get better advice if you could post a sample.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

kvbarkley — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 18:25:27 GMT

The focusing system does not care which exposure mode it is in. It is totally independent.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:17:13 GMT

I took a few pictures today, using Aperture mode and the AI setting....all shots seem to be fine. The problem may have rested with the SD card; I used a new one, formatted by this camera....the other card may have been too close to full, and is one I have had for a while. It probably has been used in a number of cameras. Hopefully, my difficulty is solved. Thanks to all who offered advice and comfort...it is really appreciated.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

kvbarkley — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 20:32:06 GMT

The SD card did not cause "soft" pictures.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

Waddizzle — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 21:32:54 GMT

The problem is AI Servo focusing. That mode does not wait for a focus lock before firing the shutter, not unless you reprogram the camera.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:12:38 GMT

You may be correct, but this was an old card, and let me take about 5 pictures before indicating "card full." I don't know how long I've hasd that card, or how many cameras it has been in. If it is the card, that's a simple solution, and I'm grateful for it. However, I'm going to have the camera checked out anyway. Thanks for your reply.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:15:08 GMT

Thanks for your reply. You reinforced my never using the AI Servo format. I only use "One Shot."

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 11:59:20 GMT

AI Servo has its place if you are trying to follow a moving subject.

What you shouldn’t use is AI Focus mode. It is supposed to switch between One Shot and AI Servo depending on whether the subject moves. What frequently happens is that the user moves the camera and the caythinks its subject movement.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

ebiggs1 — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 13:27:25 GMT

"...my never using the AI Servo format. I only use "One Shot.""

Never say never. It has its place but I always tell my classes to not use Ai-Servo until they completely understand how their camera works. Obviously you are not there yet but you will be if you try to and continue to learn photography. This also applies to the less automatic modes like Av. They require some photographic knowledge before employing.

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

Waddizzle — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 14:52:09 GMT

Thanks for your reply. You reinforced my never using the AI Servo format. I only use "One Shot."

But, you just said that you used “AI setting”???

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

FTBNLOVER — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:11:33 GMT

I used what Canon calls the "A+" setting, and the Aperture-preferred settings to take the pictures. I have used plenty of Canon models, film and DSLR, but this one is a somewhat different breed...

Re: REBEL SL2 FOCUS PROBLEMS

ebiggs1 — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 15:27:39 GMT

"...but this one is a somewhat different breed..."

The controls and/or modes may be different but photography is still photography. Does the FTB in your handle refer to the Canon FTb film camera? Great camera, BTW. Yes, the controls will be different from it.

Start with general stuff with good light and set the SL2 to P mode, ISO 200, and the lens in AF. Take some shots and check them out. You will quickly learn how the SL2 operates. Then you can try the less automatic modes like Av and Tv, etc. You'll see it really isn't all that different than your FTb. Just the way it works. Show some samples, u/l here, as you progress. I'd like to see them.