Does anyone own a Canon 40d?

[Lachesis00]

I have some focus questions.

I have it set on the 9 point (all) focal point, and it seems to pick it's own 2-3 spots. Everything is clean, never been dropped or bumped. It's ticking me off.

Can someone explain this to me:

Num AFPoints: 9
Valid AFPoints: 9
AFPoints Selected: 4


Thank you!

 

[ukcatfan]

It is impossible to lock all points on almost all shots. A flat wall might, but even then it probably would not lock all of them. The DOF would have to be pretty large to cover all spots on a typical shot. Also, I doubt it is programmed to try to get all of them locked anyway. Locking four is probably on the high side.

It is just guessing what it thinks you want to focus on. On that shot, it though the outside was more important, but was wrong. The best thing to do is just use one spot, lock the focus, recompose, and then shoot. Not sure what mode you were shooting in, but using aperture priority or manual will help you maximize your DOF when needed.

 

[boBQuincy]

I have a 30D (and a few other Canon dSLRs). Except on rare occasion I only use the center focus point. To me the multiple focus points cause more trouble than they are worth.

 

[VVFF]

Would have been helpful if you didn't do whatever you did that removed the EXIF data from the shot.

 

[Donold_Fan]

It is impossible to lock all points on almost all shots. A flat wall might, but even then it probably would not lock all of them. The DOF would have to be pretty large to cover all spots on a typical shot. Also, I doubt it is programmed to try to get all of them locked anyway. Locking four is probably on the high side.

It is just guessing what it thinks you want to focus on. On that shot, it though the outside was more important, but was wrong. The best thing to do is just use one spot, lock the focus, recompose, and then shoot. Not sure what mode you were shooting in, but using aperture priority or manual will help you maximize your DOF when needed.

I have the 40D and couldn't put it better than UKCatFan. I almost always follow his advice here and have it set on a single, center spot. Sometimes I move it off to the side, but typically, I put the center on what I want focused and then lock and recompose. When I leave it set like you have yours, it's a guessing game as to what's going to be in focus.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have a 30D (and a few other Canon dSLRs). Except on rare occasion I only use the center focus point. To me the multiple focus points cause more trouble than they are worth.

I don't use Canon, but I also use Center Focus metering and then select the focus point I want it to focus on.
OP, I bet you can find the info on how to change your metering in your manual and I'm sure you can change your focus points manually if you are not in Auto mode. On my camera I can do this in Program, Shutter, Aperture, and Manual priority, but I believe it'll automatically set the focal points if you are in Auto mode. If you want to use a more automatic type mode then you should try the P or program mode. I hope that's what they call it on Canon cams.

Would have been helpful if you didn't do whatever you did that removed the EXIF data from the shot.

I think it could be wherever they are posting from that stripped the data. I know with smugmug, it doesn't show the EXIF data, and with photobucket if you edit the photo to resize for message board posting it won't show it anymore either -- unless you save it as a copy -- then it saves it in the original photo.

 

[VVFF]

I think it could be wherever they are posting from that stripped the data. I know with smugmug, it doesn't show the EXIF data, and with photobucket if you edit the photo to resize for message board posting it won't show it anymore either -- unless you save it as a copy -- then it saves it in the original photo.

Ah, well I think seeing that may help us understand what the camera was doing.

 

[PhotobearSam]

How close were you to your subject? Maybe with the lens you were using you might have been too close for the child to be in focus...I have no idea...Just a thought. (probably not a good one...My brain has been on vacation recently but my body was not invited...)

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Ah, well I think seeing that may help us understand what the camera was doing.

I agree. That's one of the first things I do whenver I see a photo - look for the EXIF data. It helps me to learn what works and how they got it to work.

 

[jann1033]

wow your baby has grown and so so cute ! Nice to see you post , haven't seen your great pics for a while
i don't have a 40d ( yet, hoping to get either that or the 50d sooner than later) but i always just use the center point as well and lock focus and recompose, I've tried using all of them and it just never seems to work all that well.( although somehow my points seem to magically change to other than the center somehow occasionally which drives me nuts) i kind of wondered if that is why canon has the cross points on the center on some of the newer cameras ( ie most people just use that one cause they have been ticked off by attempting to use the others)

 

[bnorm27]

I also agree with photobearsam. It looks like most everything else is in focus, except the subject. Perhaps you were too close.

I have tried using the 9 point focus. It really does not do the trick unless I am zoomed out on my lens. I almost exclusively shoot in Av mode, and use the single focus point.

 

[Todd_H]

It is impossible to lock all points on almost all shots. A flat wall might, but even then it probably would not lock all of them. The DOF would have to be pretty large to cover all spots on a typical shot. Also, I doubt it is programmed to try to get all of them locked anyway. Locking four is probably on the high side.

It is just guessing what it thinks you want to focus on. On that shot, it though the outside was more important, but was wrong. The best thing to do is just use one spot, lock the focus, recompose, and then shoot. Not sure what mode you were shooting in, but using aperture priority or manual will help you maximize your DOF when needed.

I agree 100%. I own the 40d and most of the time I only use the center focus point to lock focus and then recompose the shot.

 

[Lachesis00]

Hi Jann! How has it been going? I lurk here all of the time. I never go to Disney even though we're not that far away from DL (about 6 hour drive). So I just kind of keep quiet. I haven't been on the photography boards much... I kind of went through a major lull!
He isn't a "baby" anymore and little sister is following quickly behind him.

Wow thanks guys!
I never had these issues with my 20d, and so it's taken me by surprise... It isn't just this photo, it is other photos, taken further back, different settings, I notice it as well. I just happened to pick this one.
The lens, I need to double check, is a 24mm-135 (I *think* not sure on the end number). And was zoomed out. I bought the lens for my 20d, and used it a lot so I know what to expect out of it.

Same ride, same spot, little sister was jumping up and down and I was using 100iso, so I expected it to be blurry (didn't switch it fast enough), but it is more in focus even with her jumping.

I appreciate the help!! I guess maybe this camera is going to have more of a learning curve. I figured coming frolm the 20d, I could just jump right in. I guess not.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Wow! I didn't know there were 9 FP on my 40D! LOL. Like everyone already stated. I only use the center one as well. I recompose when needed. I noticed many differences in the way the 40D behaved when compared to my Digital Rebel (300D) Some I like, some I don't. WB is another gripe of mine. I felt that the 300D picked better Auto WB's than my 40D. Enjoy the learning curve

 

[MICKEY88]

I think ukcatfan nailed this one..

 

[jann1033]

Hi Jann! How has it been going? I lurk here all of the time. I never go to Disney even though we're not that far away from DL (about 6 hour drive). So I just kind of keep quiet. I haven't been on the photography boards much... I kind of went through a major lull!
He isn't a "baby" anymore and little sister is following quickly behind him.

Wow thanks guys!
I never had these issues with my 20d, and so it's taken me by surprise... It isn't just this photo, it is other photos, taken further back, different settings, I notice it as well. I just happened to pick this one.
The lens, I need to double check, is a 24mm-135 (I *think* not sure on the end number). And was zoomed out. I bought the lens for my 20d, and used it a lot so I know what to expect out of it.

Same ride, same spot, little sister was jumping up and down and I was using 100iso, so I expected it to be blurry (didn't switch it fast enough), but it is more in focus even with her jumping.

I appreciate the help!! I guess maybe this camera is going to have more of a learning curve. I figured coming frolm the 20d, I could just jump right in. I guess not.

just pmed you then saw the answer, cute cute kiddies! i haven't been to wdw since 2004, still i shoot my mouth off here all the time
from what i have read the autofocus points themselves are the same( 40 and 20ds) but are 40ds are more sensitive cross points and center is doubly sensitive so wondering if that is throwing you off from the 20d

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have a 30D (and a few other Canon dSLRs). Except on rare occasion I only use the center focus point. To me the multiple focus points cause more trouble than they are worth.

Had a 30D and I agree. I use multiple focus points for landscapes and lower contrast(difference in contrast) points. Practicing with different situation prepares you for the challenges.

Jack