My Canon 40D(Edited 02/21/08 ) Its back home.

[Shutterbug]

IS turned ON while on a tripod??

Not saying that is the problem, but why?

Because earlier photos seemed blurry so I figured I would rule out at much movement as possible by using IS and the tripod.

 

[ukcatfan]

Because earlier photos seemed blurry so I figured I would rule out at much movement as possible by using IS and the tripod.

Having IS on while on a tripod can cause blurring. Are you using a remote shutter release? If not, you could be causing the problem when you press the shutter. Also, is the tripod sturdy enough to handle the camera and lens?

Kevin

 

[Shutterbug]

Having IS on while on a tripod can cause blurring.
Kevin

Really? I didnt know that. Okay that is something I will try.
What would cause that though?

Are you using a remote shutter release? If not, you could be causing the problem when you press the shutter. Also, is the tripod sturdy enough to handle the camera and lens?

Kevin

Yes the tripod is a good sturdy tripod, at least IMO it is.
I am not using a remote shutter release but I did use the timer with mirror lock up.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

On no!!! You are not supposed to use the Image Stabilization on this lens on a tripod! I believe it states in this lens manual that it can damage the IS system. On a side note, I had two copies of the 28-135 IS, neither were very sharp, the second being a real dog!

 

[Shutterbug]

On no!!! You are not supposed to use the Image Stabilization on this lens on a tripod! I believe it states in this lens manual that it can damage the IS system. On a side note, I had two copies of the 28-135 IS, neither were very sharp, the second being a real dog!

ack! okay I will get the manual out once again. I read through it again last night albeit it was late.

(edited) Wait, you said lens manual? I dont even remember seeing that in the box. I will get back in the box and look for that.

Thanks for pointing that out
feeling like such a noob now...lol

 

[Metallicat]

I got rid of my 28-135 IS lens because I didn't think it was sharp enough, but I thought you could use it on a tri-pod as long as the IS was turned off.

 

[jann1033]

just ignoring the obvious problems with quality control and the 28-135 lens when i talked to the head of tech support about mine (at canon) he said the is "on" while on a tripod won't usually hurt the lens( even though the book says it will) but it can mess up the focus...mine it doesn't since i forgot to turn it off onceeek: ) but why use it there...

try the is on handheld in low light and off handheld low light same setting etc and you should be able to see if the is is working...they had to replace my is part 2 times on the first lens...it started with not focusing the proceeded to stopping the shutter button from moving( thinking maybe the lens was trying to auto focus and couldn't?) . it was first only noticable when i bent the camera lens down , ie to take a macro shot. then later didn't matter how the camera was aimed...anyway, that lens can be great( i really am happy with copy #2) or can be horrendous. i don't really get why they are selling that as the kit( except maybe to get rid of old stock) since one support person told me sometimes it doesn't connect well electronically to the newer bodies...which is why they wanted my rebel xt body and ended up replacing that and the lens.

 

[Golf4food]

I think this thread may have convinced me to go body-only when I get a 40D and just find my own lens if the 28-135 is so eratic. I have an 18-125 non-IS for our walk around now and love the versatility, so I was going to just get the 40D kit, but not if there is a very good chance of that kit lens being a piece of junk...

 

[PoohJen]

yeah, likewise I'm dismayed at all the 28-135 IS bad press here. The price for body only vs price +kit made the kit lens look like a very good deal (vs buying that same lens alone). hmmm...

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the recently announced but yet to be for sale Sigma 18-125 OS (same idea as the IS) to come out...my current walk around is broken, so I may go ahead and be a guinea pig for the new OS lens as soon as it is out.

 

[jann1033]

yeah, likewise I'm dismayed at all the 28-135 IS bad press here. The price for body only vs price +kit made the kit lens look like a very good deal (vs buying that same lens alone). hmmm...

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for the recently announced but yet to be for sale Sigma 18-125 OS (same idea as the IS) to come out...my current walk around is broken, so I may go ahead and be a guinea pig for the new OS lens as soon as it is out.

I just read a review on pop photo about the tamron 28-300 is ( or what ever they call it) that said that lens was pretty good for a consumer type lens...it's about $600 street..might be a consideration if you need a new one anyway...by the time you get 2 is lenses for that range you'd be way over that $ anyway...plus it controls vertical diagonal and horizontal shake.

one thing imo to remember about the 28-135 though is it was one of the first( or maybe the first) is lens so you gotta figure it probably would be surpassed by lenses now plus the electronics may be wonky with the new stuff( not that i know electronics , just would seem to be likely to me) that is just why i don't get canon selling it with the 40d...why not sell something to show off the camera's ability not hinder it..but i guess that is" kit lenses" a lot anyway

 

[aeryn]

So, since I'm just about to buy my 40d, I've been researching what lens to get as a good 'walk around' lens. Do y'all have any recommendations? I live 30 minutes from the Parks, so I'm there all the time. I'll be taking park shots and probably some pet shots too

 

[handicap18]

Well I have been using the new camera quite often. The thing I have noticed though is that the photos dont look anywhere as sharp as the first batch of photos I took at the autoshow with the first camera and lens. I dont know if its me or the camera.

Now all the new photos have been taken on overcast days so I am not sure if the lack of light has had anything to do with it.


Here is a photo I took today followed by a croped area at 1:1 ratio and then also the focus points.

The setting where:
Camera was mounted on tripod
Aperature priority
Fstop:7.1
Shutter: .3
ISO 100
focal length 135
Also the IS was turned ON

Here is the link to the large size photo:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2250069230_94599b1a85_b.jpg

Cropped area of the rock at full size:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2249272389_0f04104560_o.jpg


What my focus points were:

I personally don't like using multiple focus points. I like to stay with one and prefer that I choose which so so I can choose where my focus is going to be. I don't like having the camera choose what the focus point should be. Looking at this picture the rock is above the water yet the camera is trying to focus on both at the same time. f/7.1 is a pretty sharp aperture, but if others are saying that they've had experiences with this lens in the past that leads them to believe it isn't very sharp may have something to do with. Combine the mulltiple focus points with a possible soft lens with IS on while on a tripod can give you multilple reasons for a soft image.

Here is a question and answer from dlcphotography.net regarding Canon IS lenses on a tripod:

Q: What about IS and tripods ?

A: There are some rumors about there that state that the IS gets damaged when activated on a tripod. This is obviously just nonsense. This is what you can read in the manual: "Do not set the image stabilizer switch to 'I' when using the camera on a tripod. Doing so may cause the image stabilizer to act erratically. Turn the image stabilizer off before using the camera on a tripod.". Further more this is only true for the following lenses:

EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS
EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 USM IS
EF 300 mm f/4 USM L IS
EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 USM L IS

Here is the explanation from Chuck Westfall (Canon USA):

"The IS mechanism operates by correcting shake. When there is no shake, or when the level of shake is below the threshold of the system's detection capability, use of the IS feature may actually *add* unwanted blur to the photograph, therefore you should shut it off in this situation. Remember that the IS lens group is normally locked into place. When the IS function is active, the IS lens group is unlocked so it can be moved by the electromagnetic coil surrounding the elements. When there's not enough motion for the IS system to detect, the result can sometimes be a sort of electronic 'feedback loop,' somewhat analogous to the ringing noise of an audio feedback loop we're all familiar with. As a result, the IS lens group might move while the lens is on a tripod, unless the IS function is switched off and the IS lens group is locked into place."

Some of the newer IS lenses have a "tripod-detection" mode to help avoid this problem.

 

[Chaoster]

there is a lot of good info on the dpreview.com forum.

 

[Shutterbug]

Well after a few more days of trying things (IS off and such) I am still getting soft photos. I also have been dealing with underexposure with this camera as well.
So its back to the store and try for a replacement. The other option is to call canon and send it in to them.

Too bad the lens messed up on the first camera kit. The photos from that one were great!

 

[Shutterbug]

talked to canon today, they suggest I send it in to have them look at it.
so I packed it up the body and the lens and shipped it out UPS...with insurance on it.

 

[PoohJen]

What a drag; hope they straighten it out for you!

I worry that in my amateur state I wouldn't know if I had a slightly-bum camera. Truth be told, I've never felt my Rebel XT pics were quite "right". I love the ability to take action shots, and have some great stop action photos, but I've never been thrilled with the sharpness or color in everyday shots. Never certain if its the lenses, the camera or me.

 

[Shutterbug]

According to UPS tracking it arrived there this morning.

Now to wait on Canon. I included my email on the paper work I sent with it. Supposedly you will get faster updates on your equipment that way.

 

[geetey]

What a drag; hope they straighten it out for you!

I worry that in my amateur state I wouldn't know if I had a slightly-bum camera. Truth be told, I've never felt my Rebel XT pics were quite "right". I love the ability to take action shots, and have some great stop action photos, but I've never been thrilled with the sharpness or color in everyday shots. Never certain if its the lenses, the camera or me.

I understand that feeling completely, Jen. My mom gave a good "jolt" to my camera (dropped it but caught it before impact) and since then, things seem a little off. I have done the focus test and it comes back okay. I am just afraid to send it off to get checked.

Good luck, Shutterbug! I hope you get your camera back quickly, with all parts working spectacularly! I was playing with a 40D the other day and it is sweet!

 

[Shutterbug]

My camera just got there today and I already got an email from them this afternoon

Status:
Accepted
13-FEB-08

We have received your equipment for evaluation and repair. Based on our initial examination, we will start the necessary repairs at no charge to you. You can expect the repair to be completed and returned back to you within approximately 7 business days* from the date shown above. There is no need to respond to this notice.

Please note that in the unlikely event that any additional internal damage is found due to liquid/water, sand, corrosion, battery leakage or impact (such as dropping the unit), a revised estimate will be sent for your authorization, since these conditions are specifically excluded from warranty coverage.

Thank you for purchasing Canon products and for allowing us this opportunity to serve you.

Then it also had link to track my repair status.
Now whats wierd is that sent me two of these emails but each one had a different repair number. One for the camera AND one for the lens. I wonder if that means each of them had a problem then...hmmmmm

 

[jann1033]

i always got mine back in time except the time they sent it somewhere else for more testing but they let me know first...hope it gets fixed for you