When will canon fix the focus issues with the 70D?

[Photogirl55]

I was "T.H.I.S." close to buying the 70D.  I have read WAYYY too many posts about issues with the focusing on the 70D.  How is Canon handling the issue?  I would love to buy this camera, but not willing to gamble with that much money.

[kkgiyer]

I think there is some issue with this camera. As I said before, from my practical use, I could see obvious issue. I will try tye MFA to if it improves. But I think if it is some other underlying issue, Canon should fix it. I explained to the Canon support how I tested and told them the issue. They felt there is some problem and have asked me to send it to them. Has anybody seen a solid proof from the people who say there is no problem. If somebody can post side by side comparison of VF/LV pictures, that will be helpful. I have only heard some people saying there is no issue with theirs and that this is a great camera etc etc...people feel there is no issue with the kit lens at least. Here is a comparison with the kit lens. Both shot with the tripod, mirror lock up and 2s timer. What a difference...Pic thru the VF is crap. Both are at 150% and cropped...

http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kkgiyer/media/Canon%2070D/LV.jpg.html?o=1

http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kkgiyer/media/Canon%2070D/OVF.jpg.html?o=0

[Henryf]

Official - there is no problem according to Canon.

"In response to your enquiry regarding the focus on your EOS 70D, we kindly advise you to read the information below.

This is not a known issue as far as Canon is concerned."

There then followed a lengthy pre-made ramble about micro adjustment (not sure how micro adjustment solves the problem of group AF failure compared to 1pt centre AF success), returning the 2 day old camera to a service centre which presumably results in it being returned "no fault found" sent again a couple of times until your new camera becomes a "refurbished" camera. Or going back to where I bought it from and getting them to give me a new one.

I suggested they google Canon 70D focus problem and then tell me there isn't a problem.

To be fair having done some research it seems the 1pt centre sensor works in a different way to the group AF sensors so that might explain the out of focus group result. A shame Canon don't know their cameras.

[Henryf]

No wait - there's more !

Following on from another email to Canon it transpires the person who said there was no known issues and who offered a series of helpful suggestions wasn't a "product specialist". I am to await contact from a product specialist within the next 5 days.

So there you go kids. If copying the pictures and making Pizzas at Pizza Hut is getting you down change uniforms and work for Canon customer serivces. Computer say sent email number 7. Next customer please.

Henry 🙂

[kkgiyer]

For now, I am forced to think that all 70Ds are having this problem. Otherwise many people who claim that this is a crazy sharp camera should post side by side pics taken using LV vs VF. Until now I was thinking mine did not have a problem and finally decided to check it. Yesterday had checked pics indoors closely and today decided to check pics taken outdoor...and found the exact problem with VF. Got the copy/paste reply from Canon tech support in mail that they have never heard of this issue and are happy to check it out. 

http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kkgiyer/media/Canon%2070D/2-LV.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kkgiyer/media/Canon%2070D/2-OVF.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

[cale_kat]

[KeithR]

All 70Ds do not have problems. Not even a significant minority of them, or the amount of flak Canon is getting would be massively more than we're actally seeing.

Ans - sorry, kkgiyer - mine is "crazy sharp": at any aperture, at any distance, with static subjects and moving, in any light. But I have zero interest in proving that to you, I'm afraid.

[kkgiyer]

KeithR

I am thinking that the vast majority have not tested this closely with a side by side comparison of pictures taken under similar conditions (LV/VF). There are many people who buy DSLRs even without knowing how to use it. Then there will be several people who do not know how to test it or just do not want to test it and think that theirs might not have a problem. Then there might be many who know that they are helplessly stuck with this camera knowing how Canon would respond and waiting for a solution. Also, there will be many who just don't care and sell it off for a loss or are ok to use it as a paperweight...;-)

Unless you are the engineer who designed this camera and trying to save your job by posting such comments in disguise and confusing people, please come forward and help others who are having this problem. If you are serious about helping, that's how you can contribute. How much time of yours will be gone in doing what I said? Who knows may be you will find out that yours actually has the problem upon close inspection. As I said I was thinking mine was ok until a pro-friend started looking at my pics and started saying - isn't this a little off...isn't that a little softer here etc etc...

Actually this is a forum for people who have this problem trying to find a solution. And we know there are several owners out their who think theirs is sharp. If you cannot help us in a positive way, please do not waste your time and ours.

[Mac_ro]

Hello everybody!
I'm mac from Romania , and saldy i have the same issue with my 70d even after calibration +19 at the Tele end of my lens (17-55 f2.8 IS canon)
I will be getting in touch with the canon service here and i hope they will fix it somehow. I will keep you updated.

Difference between LCD and VF is big!

[pdqgp]

My 70D focus was spot on in still shots both with the OVF and LV modes, but I found out that during AIServo shots it was way, way off and exhibited a weird nothing in focus problem.  This occured with all of my Canon and Non Canon lenses but ironically they all worked perfectly on my 40D.

I'm a little nervous as all they did was make minor electronic adjustments to bring it to closer to perfect tollerances vs just within tollerances.   I follow what they mean, but am going to be upset if I find that my 40D performs better.

Canon techs did state that if it continues to have problems that I could send it along with my Canon lenses for adjustments, but then that would in turn mean that I would have to have Tamron then adjust their lens with my Body.  A true PIA and one that I wouldn't think would be necessary.

Fingers crossed.

[RobertTheFat]

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@pdqgp wrote:

My 70D focus was spot on in still shots both with the OVF and LV modes, but I found out that during AIServo shots it was way, way off and exhibited a weird nothing in focus problem.  This occured with all of my Canon and Non Canon lenses but ironically they all worked perfectly on my 40D.

I'm a little nervous as all they did was make minor electronic adjustments to bring it to closer to perfect tollerances vs just within tollerances.   I follow what they mean, but am going to be upset if I find that my 40D performs better.

Canon techs did state that if it continues to have problems that I could send it along with my Canon lenses for adjustments, but then that would in turn mean that I would have to have Tamron then adjust their lens with my Body.  A true PIA and one that I wouldn't think would be necessary.

Fingers crossed.

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At least the 70D has autofocus microadjustment (as the 60D, for example, does not). So if Canon succeeds in adjusting the camera to your Canon lenses, you may be able to reprogram it as necessary for your Tamron lenses. It's a bit hard to see how the problem you describe will be solved by the proposed tweaking, but maybe you'll get lucky.