Bought used lens, everything out of focus

[jvz82]

I bought a used lens (mostly for Disney but for other things as well) and I'm really struggling with it. It's a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8. I don't have a ton of zoom experience other than my kit lens. Usually I shoot with prime lenses. But I've always been pretty successful with my kit lens and the pictures turn out decent enough.

Basically I've been using this lens in all sorts of different lighting situations and almost everything is out of focus. Not even like I'm missing focus, but it looks like everything in the picture is just a little blurry. The only shots I've taken that turned out were in super bright sunlight where I had a really high shutter speed and aperture around 5, but even those don't look as crisp as I feel like they could.

Someone told me it's because I need to always shoot with a higher aperture, like 5+. This doesn't make sense to me because then why would people pay extra for zoom lenses that have lower apertures? I do really like to shoot wide open, so I'm often shooting at 2.8 or 3.2. I have an old Canon Rebel that doesn't handle high ISO very well so sometimes it's a necessity for me to shoot wide open.

So I guess what I'm wondering is it me doing something wrong, or is it the lens? I'm pretty consistent with my other lenses and don't have trouble with things being out of focus. I'm confused and super disappointed.

 

[mom2rtk]

This might be pretty basic, but I just want to be sure. Is it set to auto focus?

 

[jvz82]

This might be pretty basic, but I just want to be sure. Is it set to auto focus?

That is just the kind of dumb thing I would do, LOL. But no, I double checked and it is set to auto focus.

 

[mom2rtk]

That is just the kind of dumb thing I would do, LOL. But no, I double checked and it is set to auto focus.

Sorry, I had to ask.

You should be able to shoot wide open. Where did you buy it?

 

[jvz82]

Sorry, I had to ask.

You should be able to shoot wide open. Where did you buy it?

Ebay. I should be able to return it... just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something.

 

[havoc315]

Post a couple examples with EXIF data and maybe we can figure it out, but sounds like you just got a dud.

 

[xlxo]

Another thought.... are you doing groups shots set at 2.8? Is the problem where one person is in focus and the rest is not?

 

[mom2rtk]

Are you anywhere near a local camera shop that might carry this lens? Maybe you could take some test shots with one in the store and compare it to the copy you have.

 

[photo_chick]

When in doubt run a proper focus test. Follow the directions carefully.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/focus_testing.html

And people may be right. When you shoot a lens wide open it will be at it's softest. It's also a pretty shallow depth of field. Add to that the AF issues many DSLR's tend to have with wider apertures and it's a pretty good mix to get some out of focus shots. Personally I've found I have a learning curve anytime I get a new lens. I have to learn it's quirks to hit the focus right every time.

I'd run a proper focus test to determine if your lens is a user issue or a hardware issue.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Everybody else has asked the auto question so I'm going to ask the opposite side of it.

If you focus manually, does it focus correctly according the what you observed visually when taking the shot?

 

[Spork3127]

I'd definitely try micro adjusting/calibration/image focus testing, etc. There seems to be several names for this process. A good camera shop should be able to perform this for you if it's above your comfort level.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I'd definitely try micro adjusting/calibration/image focus testing, etc. There seems to be several names for this process. A good camera shop should be able to perform this for you if it's above your comfort level.

It is very unlikely that her "older Canon Rebel" supports this fcn. As a matter of fact, I'm sure of it. That fcn only recently started being supported and even now, it's still in only the higer end cameras (70D, 80D, etc.).

This lens likely needs tuning by the manufacturer but without testing on another camera, it's impossible to know for sure.

One thing is for sure and it's good news. Focus, contrary to popular; is not subjective. As a matter of fact, it is very definable and it's very easy to determine whether an object is in focus or not, given the right test(s).

 

[mom2rtk]

It is very unlikely that her "older Canon Rebel" supports this fcn. As a matter of fact, I'm sure of it. That fcn only recently started being supported and even now, it's still in only the higer end cameras.

That's correct.

 

[elmoandzoey]

Coincidentally, I had the same setup as you - old Canon Rebel with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. My lens has no image stabilization, I opted for the version without since it produced sharper images. I never had a problem with this lens being out of focus other than depth of field. I understand where manual focus with that camera can be very cumbersome. I never attempted it because I never got it sharp just using the tiny viewfinder and the point highlight. Autofocus never was a problem with that setup though, even wide open at f2.8. If I were you, I would return it.

And yeah, the Rebel is so old it has no internal lens correction or adaptation of any kind.

 

[mom2rtk]

Any update, OP?

 

[jvz82]

Sorry, I didn't see there were more responses to this!

I tried many things with no luck. I am very used to shooting wide open so I feel like I should have been able to get images in focus even shooting wider. The focus issues were really odd, not just like the typical "I missed focus" shot. So I decided it must be a bad copy of the lens and I returned it.

I then totally changed my mind about the zoom because I didn't like how it felt in my hands! I decided to get a 24mm 2.8 lens instead, lol. It was inexpensive and I think I might just be more of a prime person! So far that lens has been working out well. I might also buy a somewhat inexpensive flash to bring to Disney as well for my character meals and indoors pictures!