pcalandra 0 #1 August 29, 2005 Has anyone experienced a problem like this or have any idea what might be going on here? This past weekend I had this happen on 3 skydives, 2 were back to back on Saturday and it happened again on the following day on 1 out of 8 skydives. All of the images are totally out of focus and the exposure appears to be stuck on F3.5. I've attached 2 images and the camera data is below. By the way Canon e-mail support was pretty useless all they had to offer was send the body and lens in and we will look at it? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Camera Data: File Name IMG_6781.JPG Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL Shooting Date/Time 8/27/2005 10:32:39 AM Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/500 Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5 Metering Mode Evaluative Metering Exposure Compensation 0 ISO Speed 200 Lens 18.0 - 55.0mm Focal Length 22.0mm Image Size 3072x2048 Image Quality Fine Flash On Flash Type External E-TTL Flash Exposure Compensation -2/3 Red-eye Reduction Off Shutter curtain sync 1st-curtain sync White Balance Mode Auto AF Mode AI Focus AF Parameters Settings Contrast Mid. High Sharpness Mid. High Color saturation Mid. High Color tone 0 Color Space sRGB File Size 1046KB Drive Mode Continuous shooting Camera Body No. 1060310189 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windinmyface 0 #2 August 29, 2005 I notice you're using auto focus, any chance something is preventing the focus ring from turning? Are you using the flash? ----- I am Dyslexia of Borg, futility is resistant, your ass will be laminated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcalandra 0 #3 August 29, 2005 I've been using the autofocus very successfully for over a year. When in manual focus the barrel seems to move pretty freely, although there is one point that feels a little sticky or grindy. I do have the zoom taped o 18mm but that doesn't interfere with the focus. Interestingly I can't get it to do this on the ground. Yes, I am using an EX550 flash. My routine is always the same, I check my camera mode setting, flip to manual focus just to make sure the barrel moves, flip it back to autofocus, and then turn it on when the red light comes on. I can hear the damn thing autofocusing in the plane when I turn it on before climb out, so I know it was at least trying...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linestretch 0 #4 August 30, 2005 how about trying another lens. Could possibly be the lens if causing problems.my pics & stuff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velocityphoto 0 #5 August 30, 2005 I always use manual focus and never have problems , pick a happyt medium for your focus and tape it . A friend will bail you out of jail , a REAL friend will be sitting next to you in the cell slapping your hand saying "DUDE THAT WAS AWSUM " ................ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcalandra 0 #6 August 30, 2005 I found that to be pretty tough with the "kit lens" becuase the barrel moves in & out, it's not internal focusing. What about the exposure sticking at F3.5? Does anyone have any ideas on that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
windinmyface 0 #7 August 30, 2005 Given that the problem can be intermittent, and that you can detect a grinding in the lens, it really sounds like that lens is sticking, and that the f3.5 exposure is a consequence of that. To establish if the focus is sticking, try using manual focus for a few jumps. ----- I am Dyslexia of Borg, futility is resistant, your ass will be laminated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcalandra 0 #8 September 6, 2005 Just wanted to send this to the top in case someone knowledgeable missed it. I was thinking it was time to break down and buy that Sigma 15mm EX lens anyhow unless somone has a better suggestion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #9 September 6, 2005 QuoteJust wanted to send this to the top in case someone knowledgeable missed it. I was thinking it was time to break down and buy that Sigma 15mm EX lens anyhow unless somone has a better suggestion. I wouldn't call myself knowledgeable but from what I can tell based on the EXIF data and the shots.. is that there is something pretty wrong.. At ISO 200 and TV 500 it should be picking an aperture around F11 or so.. I've never shot in autofocus, for me I've set the focus to about 6ft out, set the ISO speed to 100, Shutterspeed at 500 and the aperture at F8 (this is a little variable based on the lighting conditions..) and it's good to go, so I can't really give feedback on using everything automatic. Does the camera have the same behavior on the ground? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pcalandra 0 #10 September 7, 2005 The camera behaves quite well in the air and on the ground. I have not been able to repeat this on the ground at all. I've been using these settings for freefall photography for over a year and they have workrd fine. As mentioned above this doesn't happen all the time, which is the real problem. When it happned 3 times in one weekend it's caused me some concern. I'm wondering if there isn't an intermitent metering problem or if the lens has a focus problem that leads to exposure confusion? For now it's mystery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #11 September 7, 2005 I have a Sigma 15mmEX on my XT. It is an Awesome lens! Scott"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
