Canon 100-400L Need help with Auto Focus: HI, I just bought a 100-400 canon lens and I seem to have an issue with auto focus and sometime manual focus. We have 2 tress out of in front...

Cassy Loc: New England

HI, I just bought a 100-400 canon lens and I seem to have an issue with auto focus and sometime manual focus. We have 2 tress out of in front of our house and I am trying to take pictures of birds. Seems to have a really hard time with auto focus. Birds that are on the feeders, they also are just not coming out sharp. I've tried different settings etc. Any tricks and help with getting a Nice sharp pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!! Cassy

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Cassy - you might try posting an example, with store original. General tips include: using a tripod with the IS turned off. Not shooting wide open on aperture. Assuring the shutter speed is 1/500 or faster based on the zoom focal length. Using a single focus point. These are general best practices. An example picture might show something more specific.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Cassy, make sure you are using the center focus point, only.
You can't use the center point on auto, must be off auto. Good luck. ;-)
SS

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

Cassy, make sure you are using the center focus point, only.
You can't use the center point on auto, must be off auto.

You can't use center point focus with AF on a 100-400?

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Cassy, what camera are you using?

Cassy Loc: New England

CHG_CANON wrote:

Cassy - you might try posting an example, with store original. General tips include: using a tripod with the IS turned off. Not shooting wide open on aperture. Assuring the shutter speed is 1/500 or faster based on the zoom focal length. Using a single focus point. These are general best practices. An example picture might show something more specific.

Hi CHG Canon, Here are a couple pictures I just took.
First picture: ISO500-SSpeed 400-Aperture 5.6, Second Picture Same settings at 1st picture, Third Picture: ISO 500, SSpeed 800, Aperture 8.

(Download)

Cassy Loc: New England

Swamp Gator wrote:

Cassy, what camera are you using?

I have the Canon 60D.

Cassy Loc: New England

Swamp Gator wrote:

You can't use center point focus with AF on a 100-400?

I will try with out using the center point focus. I have been using that.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Swamp Gator wrote:

You can't use center point focus with AF on a 100-400?

I never mentioned auto focus.
Yes, the auto focus on lens has to be on, but the CAMERA can NOT be on Auto mode, or it defaults to ALL POINTS focus mode.

But that's a moot point now, as she has said that was not the case and has provided examples. ;-)
SS

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

I never mentioned auto focus.
Yes, the auto focus on lens has to be on, but the CAMERA can NOT be on Auto mode, or it defaults to ALL POINTS focus mode.

But that's a moot point now, as she has said that was not the case and has provided examples. ;-)
SS

Oh you just said auto but you meant Auto *mode*. Ok.
Like the dreaded green box?

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Cassy wrote:

I will try with out using the center point focus. I have been using that.

No no, you can use center point.
That was just a question I was asking SS because I was confused about which auto he was referring to.

Cassy Loc: New England

SharpShooter wrote:

I never mentioned auto focus.
Yes, the auto focus on lens has to be on, but the CAMERA can NOT be on Auto mode, or it defaults to ALL POINTS focus mode.

But that's a moot point now, as she has said that was not the case and has provided examples. ;-)
SS

I use Manual Mode all the time. I use The Center Focus 99% of the time. In this case all the time.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Cassy - I've posted DPP crops below with the shooting info. There's nothing obvious to me although the 3rd example with the tree limbs in front of the cardinal would be a challenge to most any camera. One review said the lens should be sharp wide open at 400mm. I might still step it down some.

You didn't mention a tripod or windows or filters. Windows or filters could be an issue.

I'm wondering if manual with ISO - auto, f/8 at say 1/500 or 1/800 shutter will generated same or better results? You might also try manual focus. I was trying for good sharp focus of birds indoors at the zoo over the past few weeks and practiced such a set-up.

Card-1

(Download)

Card-2

(Download)

Card-3

(Download)

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Cassy wrote:

Hi CHG Canon, Here are a couple pictures I just took.
First picture: ISO500-SSpeed 400-Aperture 5.6, Second Picture Same settings at 1st picture, Third Picture: ISO 500, SSpeed 800, Aperture 8.

Those pictures don't look that bad.

You might be having an issue with camera shake with a shutter at 500 if you are hand holding it at 400mm. Even the tiniest bit of movement can result in soft images. Try shooting in better light with a faster shutter speed. You can up the ISO but you don't want to go crazy there because your IQ can suffer with increased noise etc.

Also, shooting through branches can easily confuse AF even if you use center point focus.
You can try MF but you need to have good eyes and again, keep the camera very still which is even tougher to do when using MF.

amehta Loc: Boston

I think when you're trying to figure out if there's an AF issue, it helps to simplify the shooting situation: aim at simple subjects for the AF to lock on, have bright enough light, and use a stationary subject. Then try it with lower light to see when it gets limited. Once the lens passes those tests, you can start adding complexity.