focusing issue: Hi all, I recently traded my Canon 17-55 2.8 for Sigma 17-50 2.8 Dc OS becauses of focus issues and lens weight. I still am having focus issues ie. The camera (60d)...

redpepper Loc: Central NY

Hi all, I recently traded my Canon 17-55 2.8 for Sigma 17-50 2.8 Dc OS becauses of focus issues and lens weight. I still am having focus issues ie. The camera (60d) chooses wrong focus point and I must select one. I'm old school and tend.to just manually focus when the camera doesn't get it right. However, the Sigma has a very limited focus ring and results are poor, so I've set my focus point to center and then recompose shot. What do I do with groups of people at different distance from camera....group shot with more than one level? I've stopped down to allow for increased dof but where do I place my focus point? I'm also trying to learn bbf but I'm taking one issue at a time. Thx.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Place your focus point at a distance equal to 1/3 the distance from front to back of the group. Assuming you have sufficient depth of field, that will have everyone in focus.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Sorry for the double post.

redpepper Loc: Central NY

birdpix wrote:

Place your focus point at a distance equal to 1/3 the distance from front to back of the group. Assuming you have sufficient depth of field, that will have everyone in focus.

So that would mean the 2nd tier of a 3 tier group?

Coker Loc: Havana, IL

Yes, that is what he is saying. I think we would love to see an example. Smile Bob

Al FR-153 Loc: Chicago Suburbs

Redpepper, Please post a photo or two of your problem photos. Use the 'Store Original' box to the right of the post area so that we can see what you are seeing.

I have the 60D and the focus is perfect, with every lens that I have. Just on a whim, have you checked the setting of your diopter on the top right corer of your viewfinder eyepiece? It almost sounds like you are saying that what you see via the eyepiece and what you get in a photo are not in the same focus.

For info, I usually keep my focus point on the center dot when using auto focus. I hold the button down half way to capture the focus I want, then while still holding the button down half way, compose the photo. If the subject isn't flying/running around (moving) I will move the focus point (dot) around the frame, but then I return it to center after the shot(s). Your other option is to select 'all the dots' and play with the f stop and shutter speed.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

study depth of field and your question is answered.

redpepper Loc: Central NY

Thx everyone for suggestions. I'm a busy mom and will try to take some shots showing the inability to focus when I get a breather. I have checked my diopter and its all good. I'm finding that this lens is extremely sensitive to dof focus and tends to front focus if a portion if the subject (say a hand) is in front of the main part of subject. I'll post some test shots on Friday to show you. Thx again. I enjoy being s part of this group.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

What f stop are you using. many seem to use the widest f stop and not stop down. if you can try to shoot with the lens set to f5.6 or higher.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

redpepper wrote:

Thx everyone for suggestions. I'm a busy mom and will try to take some shots showing the inability to focus when I get a breather. I have checked my diopter and its all good. I'm finding that this lens is extremely sensitive to dof focus and tends to front focus if a portion if the subject (say a hand) is in front of the main part of subject. I'll post some test shots on Friday to show you. Thx again. I enjoy being s part of this group.

That sounds like you are allowing the camera to choose it's own focus point....a recipe for disappointment.

Choose the center focus point only and focus on what YOU want to...not what the camera wants.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

redpepper wrote:

Hi all, I recently traded my Canon 17-55 2.8 for ... (show quote)

Do not let the camera choose the focus point. Take it off the 9 or 19 point focus system and select the point of focus you want. If using it in one frame mode and single shot focus you can focus using that point, keep your shutter half way down and recompose the shot. Or using AI Servo just select the point closes to the subject you want the camera to focus on and keep it there when you take the shot. Here's a Youtube video on the 7D. It's simular to the 60D focusing system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nBVeWszWrU

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Can you get the Canon 17-55 back? It's a great lens.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Does your camera have an auto-focus setting that will you to move the focal point around the frame? I have this on my DSLR and it is very useful to the focus on what I want while having other elements in the frame. Have you considered hyperfocus as an option?

roadking11 Loc: New Martinsville, WV

redpepper wrote:

Hi all, I recently traded my Canon 17-55 2.8 for ... (show quote)

This web page might help.

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html