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Not thrilled with my 10D

Michael, I'm not sure if you've tried this or not. I ran across this info while reading the review of the 10D on dpreview.com site...

Sharpness adjustment
The EOS-10D's default sharpening level is very conservative, certainly compared to other digital SLR's. This keeps visible noise down and provides better control for post-processing sharpening. If you prefer your images a little sharper out of the camera the +2 setting would probably be the best choice, +1 makes very little difference. This is a good ex&le of a parameter which needs even more levels of adjustment. It's probably also worth noting that EOS-10D images appear to respond very well to 'unsharp mask' post-processing.

Hitmebak
 
Michael...I'm a 25 year plus user of Canon SLR's. I personally don't believe a 10D has the ju-ju to make me jump from conventional film to digital...that will be at least one or two more generations down the road. Still I like mysterys like your reported focus problem. If I were you I'd think about putting your camera on a tripod with a fast f2 or so lens on it. I'd line up, in a staggered line, about 8 bright, easy to focus items. Each item (use soup cans with readable labels or something) would be about a foot behind and off side of the previous. I'd take an exposure of each item with the lens wide open, first with manual focus then with autofocus. Tell us what you find.
 
Michael, one other thing to try would be to visit the shop that sold you your 10D and see if they'll let you take a few shots using a couple of their high end lenses. Not necessarily the L series but say maybe the 100mm f/2 or the 85mm f/1.8.... A good reasonable zoom to try would be the 70-200mm f/4 L.... Just another suggestion...

Hitmebak
 
The most obvious thing I can think of is that you have the focus setting at M instead of AF as all of the photos I have taken with the 10D have been exceptionally sharp. What lens are you using?
 
Alan... this is not the case.... I have used M and AF settings. I use a Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 II USM lens.

Jim V. ... I will try your suggestion.

Hitmebak ... The branch of a particular camera shop in my area, from which I purchased the camera, does not carry higher end lens; but if I have too I will travel the distance to one of the other branches that does and try a few shots with one.

Thank you ALL! I will let you know of the out come.
 
Hi
thought you might like to know that my 10D bought in the UK seems to have the same focus (or lack of it) problem. I have used it extensively for the last four weeks for professional shoots and the focus is a real headache, whether in Manual, Auto, or on a tripod.

Fortunatley the images were captured for photoshop manipulation - so at least I can use the soft images as a design feature.

However I need to get this sorted ASAP - I though it was just me using the camera incorrectly until I read this group. I will take this issue to Canon UK to see what excuse they can come up with.

Cheers
 
I finally went to the shop to get a 10D. Tried one and the AF was off, manual focus spot on. Tried a second, same problem. Third, same again. Walked out. Phoned Canon. They said they have not heard of any focus problems with 10D. Buying Nikon now.
 
Michael, You said you were using program mode. I wonder if your shutter is dropping below 1/60. If this is the case, it would make your pics out of focus. You might take a few shots under different lighting conditions and watch your meter. See if it drops below 1/60.
 
>The shutter speed does NOT make pics out of foocus .It may cause camera >shake which will blur the pics but that is a different effect .

Stuart
 
Actually, both Stuart and Todd are a little off mark. Shutter speed does not make pics out of focus and it does not cause camera shake either. The real cause is the person with the camera. If the camera is on a tripod, then it is not moving and very stable. If the person is holding it extremely still, like in those movies when the professional sniper has the scope on a subject, then this is also good.
Low shutter speed just means that it becomes extremely important that the camera is not moving.
I have been consisitently amazed at my father's ability to take 1 second shots that come out sharp on low ISO slide film.
I try to take some extra time to slow my breath and feel the stable position of the camera on the subject before pressing the button. For those of you that have experience with guns and target practice, it will probably be much easier.
If I recall correctly, the press of the shutter button should be at the pause in your breathing. At the most relaxed state.
 
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