canon rebel xt -- focusing problems?!

crosvs · #1 05-14-2006, 02:46 AM

hey everyone-

so i finally treated myself to a new canon rebel xt after completing my first year of law school

i've been meaning to get a rebel since the original came out several years ago!!

while generally i love it, i'm having some curious issues with it:

i've read that the stock 18-55 mm lens that comes with the canon digital rebel xt is a poor lens ... but i refuse to believe it's worse than my old canon digital elph pocket camera!! macro close up shots canNOT be perfectly focused; when "zoomed" to 55mm the image is NOT perfectly focused when at a distance; it's almost impossible manually focus to perfect focus; an the autofocus is unable to get a lock on extreme distances or in low lighting conditions. i'm thinking i got a bad kit, what do you think?

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asawadude · #2 05-14-2006, 04:45 AM

I've been researching DSLRs for the past 2 months - largely in part to Wuzin's quality pictures which got me started on this kick.

I've probably read the same reviews as you - the 18-55 mm Canon EF-S II lens supplied with the Rebel XT is a low budget lens designed to keep the price of the kit affordable. Although the EF-S II lens is an 2005 update of the original EFS lens, it's still performs like what it is - a $100 budget lens.

I would ditch it. If you're going to spend this much on a camera, at least get a lens that maximizes the performance capability of the camera body.

DPreview.net recommends the EF-S 17-85 mm F4.0-5.6 USM lens which includes the image stabilizer. $500 at buydig.com.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/page20.asp
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CN1785IS

Thunder22 · #3 05-14-2006, 08:01 AM

autofocus in low light is difficult no matter what camera/lens combo you have. a few questions:

1) do you have the focus assist light enabled?
2) which focus point are you using? (many, ok almost all, people only use the center focus point unless they're shooting something like sports with AI focus.
3) the 18-55 isn't a macro lens, so you can't shoot macro with it, which is why it's not producing in-focus images at macro distances.
4) i don't have an answer for why it's not focusing at 55mm, do you have any samples?

I would highly recommend that you ask this question on dpreview and post some samples to illustrate the problems.

MiCkEy · #4 05-14-2006, 08:57 AM

You are having front or back focusing issues. Without seeing any samples I would not know which issue it is. The kit lens (and also other expensive ones) have had these quality issues. My kit lens focuses like a champ but I had to go through two of them before settling with one that worked like I wanted it to. I suggest call Canon and get it replaced.

Thunder22 · #5 05-14-2006, 10:16 AM

before getting rid of the lens, make sure you're technique is correct, that you're focusing on what you think you're focusing on, that you're not attempting to focus on something that is difficult for the auto-focus to get a lock on, that you're not a "shaker" (do you have steady hands?)... the list of potential causes is not insignificant. Have you gone to a local camera store to try another 18-55 to see if it does the same thing on your body?

Don't get me wrong, the lens could be a dud, but before you go through the hassle of swapping it out, make sure you've eliminated everything else or you're just going to have the same problems.

DSLR's are not point & shoots, they're a lot more complex and there is a lot more to know.

Here are 2 books that I recommend to almost everyone who is considering or has already bought a DSLR and is new to the hobby (my copies are pretty weathered from loaning them out and referring back to them). The entire National Geographic Field Guide series is very good:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/079...Fencoding=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/079...lance&n=283155

JCL · #6 05-14-2006, 12:01 PM

I don't think it is likely that you have a back-focusing issue. The digital camera forums are full of discussion about that, far overblown IMO. It is far more likely that it is a combination of user familiarity plus limitations of both the lens design and manufacturing tolerances. It isn't known to be a good lens. Dump it and buy a good one. Gresch makes another very good point, which is that this isn't a point and shoot. Many new owners are surprised with their first DSLR, that the photos aren't as good as their point and shoot cameras. It is simply a different beast, and it requires some skill to use it, and some post-processing to get the most out of it.

crosvs · #7 05-14-2006, 01:28 PM

Interesting- you've all given me a lot to consider, and I'll certainly do as you all suggest. Thank you as always! And I WILL go ahead and post some pix up here shortly.

Meanwhile, time for Dad and me to take Mom out for a nice brunch to Alta Mira -- if any of you live in Marin, I'm sure you're familiar with it? I hope all of you enjoy a wonderful day with your mothers/wives/etc.

svh19044 · #8 05-14-2006, 03:39 PM

I have the canon rebelt XT, with the stock lens as well as a couple of others. The stock lens (18-55) focuses PERFECTLY fine. Make sure the "green box" is selected, and you are holding the botton down half way. I would hope you know how to use the camera to that extent, but it's all I have to offer. You shouldn't be having focusing problems like that IMO.

xx3 · #9 05-15-2006, 04:56 AM

My XT works fine too.

I know there are three focusing modes though. One of them allows the camera to keep refocusing depending on composition changing. Maybe your camera is in this mode and thus keeps refocusing because it thinks things are moving around? Maybe a dirty lens? Try taking the lens off and making sure its well attached?

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