New Eos5i? Hello all...I'm practicing with my camera and tried to take pix of sunsets...but it will not focus and allow me to snap the photo. I tried to use the night setting, but...

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

Hello all...I'm practicing with my camera and tried to take pix of sunsets...but it will not focus and allow me to snap the photo. I tried to use the night setting, but still...no luck? What am I doing wrong? I think I'm past the 30 day return policy time? Thanks for any ideas. Susan

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Realist101 wrote:

Hello all...I'm practicing with my camera and tried to take pix of sunsets...but it will not focus and allow me to snap the photo. I tried to use the night setting, but still...no luck? What am I doing wrong? I think I'm past the 30 day return policy time? Thanks for any ideas. Susan

Although I don't have a Canon, most DSLRs have a Menu setting for clicking the shutter if the lens is in or out of focus. I always set my Nikons to take the picture when I push the shutter button. Otherwise, the camera waits till it has good focus. I'd rather have a blurry picture than none at all.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Realist101 wrote:

Hello all...I'm practicing with my camera and tried to take pix of sunsets...but it will not focus and allow me to snap the photo. ...

What were you focusing on?

Digital cameras need contrast to focus. To test this, aim your camera at a piece of plain white paper. If it focuses then it found some grain, but typically it will search and not let you take the shot. The same is true if you focus on a pure blue sky or aim the camera directly at the Sun.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Can you set to manual focus?

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

jerryc41 wrote:

Although I don't have a Canon, most DSLRs have a Menu setting for clicking the shutter if the lens is in or out of focus. I always set my Nikons to take the picture when I push the shutter button. Otherwise, the camera waits till it has good focus. I'd rather have a blurry picture than none at all.

Hi Jerry...I'll try using the manual then? I'm trying to read all the instructions...And yes, it's awful when you see something and can't get a shot at all! I was out where it was flat land and the sunset was great...but no go. :) Thanks for your help! Susan

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

Shellback wrote:

Can you set to manual focus?

I will try this! I should have thought of it, but didn't. I am still reading all the details of how to use the camera. Fun, but also frustrating for us dummies! Thank you very much for replying! Susan

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

St3v3M wrote:

What were you focusing on?

Digital cameras need contrast to focus. To test this, aim your camera at a piece of plain white paper. If it focuses then it found some grain, but typically it will search and not let you take the shot. The same is true if you focus on a pure blue sky or aim the camera directly at the Sun.

Would there be enuff contrast if I tried using the manuel focus then? I missed out on some great sunset pix not knowing what to do! So frustrating! I thought auto focus would work, but it will not take in low light? Hey, thank you for your hints!!! :) Susan

amehta Loc: Boston

Realist101 wrote:

Hello all...I'm practicing with my camera and tried to take pix of sunsets...but it will not focus and allow me to snap the photo. I tried to use the night setting, but still...no luck? What am I doing wrong? I think I'm past the 30 day return policy time? Thanks for any ideas. Susan

If you have the Canon EOS T5i, I think the issue is probably that the camera is new and unfamiliar to you, not that it is broken. Please don't give up on it yet. :-)

amehta Loc: Boston

Realist101 wrote:

Would there be enuff contrast if I tried using the manuel focus then? I missed out on some great sunset pix not knowing what to do! So frustrating! I thought auto focus would work, but it will not take in low light? Hey, thank you for your hints!!! :) Susan

Using manual focusing means that the contrast does not matter for autofocus. Another option is to focus on the horizon, using the center focus point. It may work better turning the camera vertically, that might work better, because AF points often work with edges of one orientation or the other.

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

amehta wrote:

Using manual focusing means that the contrast does not matter for autofocus. Another option is to focus on the horizon, using the center focus point. It may work better turning the camera vertically, that might work better, because AF points often work with edges of one orientation or the other.

you're right, I don't know how to use it yet...and I'll try again the next nice evening we have! I'm trying. And need to download the software so I can share what I do have with you guys. I sure appreciate your help! :) S.

amehta Loc: Boston

Realist101 wrote:

you're right, I don't know how to use it yet...and I'll try again the next nice evening we have! I'm trying. And need to download the software so I can share what I do have with you guys. I sure appreciate your help! :) S.

Practice using the autofocus in side your house. See how it has trouble with blank walls, but does okay when there are edges like window frames. If you get comfortable with the camera in "downtime", you will be ready to take the pictures when the situation is great. The perfect sunset is not the time to learn the camera. :-)

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

amehta wrote:

Practice using the autofocus in side your house. See how it has trouble with blank walls, but does okay when there are edges like window frames. If you get comfortable with the camera in "downtime", you will be ready to take the pictures when the situation is great. The perfect sunset is not the time to learn the camera. :-)

Yes! You're so right...and today is cloudy, so I'll work with it inside today. :) Great idea Amehta!

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Realist101 wrote:

Would there be enuff contrast if I tried using the manuel focus then? I missed out on some great sunset pix not knowing what to do! So frustrating! I thought auto focus would work, but it will not take in low light? Hey, thank you for your hints!!! :) Susan

Hey Susaan, manual focus can be a necessity in some circumstances, but learning to use your camera and understanding how it works will give you a lifetime of enjoyment. Concentrate there first and the rest will follow!

Canon EOS Rebel T5i 18-55mm IS STM Lens Kit http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_t5i_18_55mm_is_stm_lens_kit
- Overview, Specs, Manuals, Software, etc.

Canon Digital Learning Center
Canon EOS 101: Photography and Videography Basics http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/eos101_cll.shtml
- 13 videos on the basics of a Canon EOS DSLR

EOS 101 SHOOTING VIDEO WITH EOS REBEL http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/howto_eos_101?pageKeyCode=noLeftNavigation

Canon USA YouTube http://www.youtube.com/canonusa?RID=1-72HZJ6&CON=1-3FBQ-97&PRO=&CID=1-6URZJ0
- Essentially the same as the Canon Digital Learning Center
- Notice the series: Canon EF 101 Series and EOS 101 How To's

Digital Photo Professional Tutorial Videos (v3.8 - 3.11) http://learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/dpp_tutorials.shtml
- For when you are ready to start editing

Cheers! S-

Realist101 Loc: Indiana

St3v3M wrote:

Hey Susaan, manual focus can be a necessity in som... (show quote)

:) Wow, thank you. I'll check these links out later today. :) I sure have a long way to go, that's for sure! Thanks again S. Susan

rocketride Loc: Upstate NY

amehta wrote:

Using manual focusing means that the contrast does not matter for autofocus. Another option is to focus on the horizon, using the center focus point. It may work better turning the camera vertically, that might work better, because AF points often work with edges of one orientation or the other.

Unless something is wrong with the center sensor (or you're shooting with some weird, exotic,optical system whose pupil is not a decent approximation of a circle) it should focus equally well on the center spot horizontally or vertically

The center focus point on any Canon DSLR is a cross-type (can read horizontal or vertical detail). It's usually the most sensitive sensor, and in the non-professional-grade bodies the only cross-type sensor. When I shoot handheld, I usually select just the center sensor, focus on the thing I most want to have in focus, and, hoding the shutter button half-down, slew to get the composition I want. (Other manufacturers may have additional cross sensors, but everybody has cross sensors at frame center.)