Canon 5D II focus issues thread

[heatherl]

Just as a general aside for anyone who needs to know or is having the same problems themselves.


What I sent Canon at 11am 12/2/09:

Dear Canon support,

I've been having the same issue with my 5D Mark II for a while now. It does not focus well when using the peripheral focal points. At first, it didn't focus well at all, even with micro adjustments, so I sent it in for repair. It came back still not focusing correctly, so I requested another repair. I then tried the micro adjusts on the center point and they worked, so I canceled that repair request. The I used the peripheral points again and the micro adjusts just don't work, so I asked for another repair. It was right in the middle of my busy season though, and I never had time to send it off.
Reading the manual, I noted that the peripheral points aren't as good as the center one, but the camera should still be able to focus! Thinking I could cope with using just the center point and cropping, I kept the camera yet again. Well, I can't cope. I need to be able to change focal points. The included images are straight out of the camera, shot last night, only cropped a little to better fit in email. You'll see that the first one is nice ad sharp in the middle, but the second one is horribly out of focus and soft when shot with the far right point.

This has been a 6 month long process. It's been eating time and stressing me out. I need a camera that works the way I want it to (ie: a camera which can focus using the peripheral points!). I have considerable Canon brand loyalty due to use for over six years. Hell, I wrote an article for Canon: http://usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?...articleID=3087

A quick google search brings up a mountain of people who are having these same issues:
Karel Donk’s Blog » Blog Archive » Canon EOS 5D Mark II: NOT WORTH IT – Save your money!
Canon 5D Mark II soft focus due to camera or lens? – Thoughts - Raoul Pop
Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Focus – My Images Aren’t Sharp*|*planet5D – Dedicated to Canon 5D and 7D hybrids
EOS 5D Mark II a risky investment? « Fake Chuck Westfall

I don't WANT to switch systems, but if I can't get a camera that works, I will have to.

Where do I go from here?

Just now (8:30pm on 12/3/09) I got this:

Dear Heather Lickliter:

Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. We are very sorry to hear that you have trouble focusing when you use the peripheral focus points on your EOS 5D Mark II.

Regrettably, we cannot accept attachments at this email address. From what you have described, there is an issue with your camera that will require repair.

I cannot really say much about non-Canon websites, but if someone has an issue with their camera they should contact us. Your camera is not working as it should. I am sure that the service center can get the camera operating properly.
We would like to send you a prepaid and insured shipping label so that
you can send the camera in to us free of charge.



I'm sending it back... again. I will have to spend another three hours resetting my settings and recalibrating my damn lenses when it gets back. I don't anticipate it working when it gets back again, which will mean another round of pissed off letters and second guessing myself and thinking about a switch to Nikon. We'll see.

[LoveDSLR]

Everyone knows the 5D Mk II AF sucks but mostly bought it as a cheap 21 MP DSLR and use the center fp only.

I have no issue with it shooting portraits using the center fp only (same technique with my Canon D30 and 5D). Of course, the 1D series focusing system is another story. Presently, my primary DSLR is a Nikon D3.

You may have to consider getting the 1Ds Mk III if you don't want to switch to Nikon or Sony.

[capturedbybrooke]

Wow thats a bummer. Hope they can fix it, but from the google search you did, it looks like its not just your camera. I almost bought the 5DMkII, but got the 7D instead. I hope I don't have the same issues with that camera as the 5DMkII... Keep us in the loop about how it goes..

[OsmosisStudios]

Maybe im weird: I keep my AF point on the centre all the time and focus/recompose.

[private]

That would depend on your subject. Specially if its a kiddo. You may not have the time to focus and recompose - would work GREAT with adults and landscape tho...

And since you mentioned, I believe I am having the same issue with the 50D...Sometimes its super sharp and other times its not. Nest session I am going to pay attn to the focus point. Aack, when it rains it pours. Thought it was the 24-70 b/c that has been know to have some focus issues also


Maaan. I cannot afford to change now...

[schmalerie]

At least I know its not me or something I'm not doing! I thought I was going crazy! yet how very frustrating, I just spent so much money on a whole package and now can't use it like intended. wow. I should've listened to others who suggested a Nikon. very dissapointing, but thanks for sharing.

[ErikUngerPhotography]

Originally Posted by schmalerie

At least I know its not me or something I'm not doing! I thought I was going crazy! yet how very frustrating, I just spent so much money on a whole package and now can't use it like intended. wow. I should've listened to others who suggested a Nikon. very dissapointing, but thanks for sharing.

It's not a hidden fact that the 5D II doesn't have the greatest AF. At the same time, you buy the camera for what you will use it for. What do you shoot? It's hard to complain about the 5D II AF if you shoot landscapes or portraits. If you are shooting action such as sports or wildlife, then you go with the camera that is built for that.

If the camera doesn't require repair, it may be that you need better technique.

[avangardphoto]

There is a new fix from Canon called 5D Mark III