Manual Focus?

[Craig Miller]

I've noticed a few of my photos of late have been appaulingly out of focus. Now I know that I'll always have some shots that are complete garbage but I'm sure I spend enough time getting the focus right (or what looks right to me)

I know I have crappy eyes as I wear glases for reading and the computer but I didn't think they were THAT bad! Does anyone else have problems focusing through the tiny view finder?

Cheers.

[Knopey]

I find focusing through the viewvinder a bit hit & miss. When shooting action (most of the time), i'll prefocus on the location where I want to take the shot, and get a focus lock on that (keeping the shutter button part depressed). Once the focus is locked (beep, AF points in focus flash red), I track the moving object into the "shooting zome" and take a burst of 3 or 4 as they pass through. One's usually in focus

How scientific is that!

I also find using only the single central AF point better as it avoids confusion. You then have a definite point of focus (hopefully) and can work the DOF around that.

edit: oops just realised you're talking manual focus Oops heheh.

[Jester]

smooth knopey, mabye your vision is extra bad becuase of maintaining this forum

[Craig Miller]

Ohh. I found this on the Canon site: Eyepiece Extender EP-EX15

For the bargin price of $35 from EBAY I think I might give one a try.

[arthurking83]

Does the Canon have a viewfinder dioptic adjustment.

kinda like a bifocal adjustment on the viewfinder to help with Craigus's issues.

My eyes are generally OK (20/20... 21/20, I dunno? ), but I have struggled with focus on the D70s, it was so much easier to focus on the EM (or any other film Nikon I've tried) because of the split prism viewfinder!

[Craig Miller]

Yes it has the viewfinder adjustment.

I just find it difficult get get right. All other SLR's I have used in the past have the same split prism focus system and I never had any problems. (though I didn't wear glasses then)

I have bought the extender so I'll see how things go when it turnes up.

[dejavu]

You won't be the only one who finds MF on DSLR pretty bad. I MF when shooting macro, and the viewfinder can be terribly dark and too grainy for its own good. Try the angle finder C if you are doing MF with macro, or you can try a 3rd party split-prism. Many people haev reported good results.

I heard that the 1-series are much better for the glasses wearer and the oldies

[The_Scroop]

Yep the 1 series is definately better for people who wear glasses, but then again for the price you would expect it to be good.

[Ronbo]

hmmm Dejavu is picking on those of us that are older or wear glasses?

Well I can tell you that I am both and I have no problems with looking through the lens. Although the split prism in my film cameras makes it easier You may also be able to talk with your eye doctor and see what corrective diopter you can use so you can take your glasses off when looking through the viewfinder.

[Craig Miller]

I've thought about that but I only NEED my glasses to see the computer screen/books. I'm not sure I need them for the camera as my distance vision is near enough to perfect. Maybe I just need more practice!

[Ronbo]

I've thought about that but I only NEED my glasses to see the computer screen/books. I'm not sure I need them for the camera as my distance vision is near enough to perfect. Maybe I just need more practice!

No you're afraid to admit that you have a problem and you're getting old!!

It's ok I know where you're coming from....but denial isn't a river in Africa!!

[Craig Miller]

[dejavu]

I wear glasses, and I believe it makes me look more intelligent. Just like my big lens, it makes me look more professional

[Craig Miller]

Thats right! As long as we LOOK the part who cares.

[arthurking83]

.......Just like my big lens, it makes me look more professional

HaHa!

...I'm off to buy meseelf a 45mm Nikkor then!

45mm Nikkor

[Craig Miller]

ROLF! You know what they say about guys with small lenses!

[dejavu]

That they are jealous of someone else's?

[arthurking83]

ROLF! You know what they say about guys with small lenses!

Ok then!!

I'll scrap that "idea" and definitely go with the 1200-1700 Zoom!

[Ronbo]

Someone feels a bit inadequate today?

[arthurking83]

Oh yeah!!

I just remembered something I tried with the D70s and the MF 50/1.8....

On the Camera body is a mark where you can measure the distance between the camera and the subject.
It's called the Focal Plane mark(I'm sure the Canon's would have the same thingy??)

Use a measure to calculate the distance from this focal plane to the focus point on the subject, and then focus the lens till it reads the same distance!!

Should be in focus, give or take a few cm's.
Take some test shots and check for focus accuracy on the PC.

I used this method to check the viewfinder adjustment, but found that I changed it back to where it came from the factory.

A tripod is handy for such fooling around!!