Just wow, thanks so much for all the detailed responses!
The 50mm I’m using is the 1.8 II, and I was fully aware that it isn’t a “pro” lens by any means when I got it. It’s really embarrassing, but I’m not at the right place financially to be able to afford new/better lenses. If I had known the time I got my inheritance, I would have invested in a cheaper camera and better lenses instead of the other way around. Big rookie mistake, but I really thought I’d be able to afford better lenses eventually.
As for focus mode, I primarily use one shot.
I had no idea the hidden assist points only worked in AI servo, thanks so much for that! It’s really time I sat down with the manual, isn’t it 😛 I’ll try to use live view more when I’m photographing products, maybe that’ll help some.
I rarely use large apertures, which is why the focusing issue is such an annoyance for me. I can’t get macro with my 17-40mm, so I’m always a good distance from what I’m photographing, and using F8-16 usually. Also I do usually take the shots on a white plexi table, so there shouldn’t be any problems with getting the camera to focus on the item.
When using the lenscal I was about 2 metres away, the instructions said 30-50x the focal length but I didn’t have much more space to work with. Honestly with the 17-40mm I only did one or two tests, as the calibrating tool was too far away to accurately see, even when zooming in. The whole thing looked out of focus every single time. What I mean by that is that my entire image is slightly fuzzy, like nothing is in perfect focus. I’ll try to take my setup outdoors as soon as I can and see if that gives me a better result!
That’s what I thought too, f11 should be “safe”, but some times it isn’t. And the fact that nothing in the picture looks like it’s in focus just makes me more certain it’s either a camera or user error, not anything to do with the lenses. I’ve also used the 17-40mm on the 10d, 20d and an old analog camera without any of these issues.
I’ll try cleaning the contacts, thanks for the tip!
I just had the sensor cleaned, I’ve been thinking of replacing my focusing screen with the eg-s, is that the same as af sensor array? Like I mentioned, I’m really not good technically 😛
I do love to view at 100% when I’m being extra picky, but usually I view them at a nice “working size”, so about 50-60%
I know Brigde _always_ shows my images blurry, I have to open them in photoshop to get a more accurate view. I sometimes use lightroom, but usually I stick with photoshop (CC)
I used a pola filter, but had the same thought that maybe it was affecting the outcome (and from what I understand it does make a little less light go through the lens) so I did tests without it and had the same results.
I will absolutely try live view more though, I really had no idea the focusing was different with it.
Thanks guys so much! I will continue with tests and try all your advice!
