Noise Issue PLEASE HELP

[rickp1]

Well, I spoke to Canon today and they're telling me there's nothing wrong with the camera. They're saying the images and the amount of noise is normal. They agreed the images are underexposed but they said nothing looked wrong to them.

Other than sending the camera in I really dont know what to do.

Anyone know how competent they tech support is?? Are they known for just telling someone nothing is wrong?

R.

[RichardTaylor]

Re the noise.
If parts of an image under exposed then those parts will be inherently noisy.

Re the focussing.
What Autofocus mode are you using?

(1) One shot?
(2) AI Focus
or
(3) AI servo


Zone AF is not an Auto focus mode. It is an auto focus area selection mode..

If you were set up to use Zone AF what focus points (or zone) were you using?
Do the focus points coincide with the "subject"?

Re what is sharp?

(1)

Camera: Canon EOS 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 L
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1000), Aperture: f/4
Focal Length: 188 mm, ISO Speed: 400

(2)

Camera: Canon EOS 40D + Canon 135 F2 L lens
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400), Aperture: f/2.0
Focal Length: 135 mm
ISO Speed: 100, Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV

Both the above pics were hand held in available light. Notice the shutter speeds.
If I am shooting hand held, even with an IS lens, I get a lot failures, due to camera shake or subject motion when shooting at slow shutter, example 1/15 second (focal length and body dependant). In good lighting you shouldn't have any problems.

(3) something a bit further away.


Camera: Canon EOS 5D + Canon 24-1-5 F4 L IS lens
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125), Aperture: f/10
Focal Length: 24 mm, ISO Speed: 100

[rickp1]

RichardTaylor,
I was shooting in zone AF mode.
I was a soup sandwich with some of my images. For some reason i had the rule backwards and was shooting to the left instead of to the right.
I've signed up for a photoshop class at my local college and then signing up for a photography class after that. This site has been great for learning but it's time I get some actual instruction on all of this. I have a real nice camera and it would be a shame if I didn't do my part to maximize it's usage. A lot of people want great pictures but don't want to put the time in to educate themselves with everything it encompasses. I don't want to be that guy.
So thank you to everyone that took the time to help out on this. I have learned a ton and it's very much appreciated.

R.

[rickp1]

Well I have an update on this issue.
Even after speaking with a couple of Canon Tech support guys and being told that there was nothing wrong with my 7D and that it would be a waste of time to send it in, I sent it in anyway.

Verdict:...AF system not working properly. I was right all along and not nuts.
Now they're working on calibrating the 3 additional lenses to the body.
So everything should be in perfect working order when done

I'm really disappointed with Canon in the sense that after speaking with them and sending them test images their guys were of no help at all.

On the other hand though, I'm glad things will be fixed and my camera & lenses will be returned in working order.

R.