scottg

<p>You might be right to worried about the focus on the 50D. To begin with, in 2005 I purchased a 20D with a 70-200mm f2.8 (non-IS) in 2005 and got amazing results for about a year and then I began to notice the photos were a little out of focus. To make a vary long story short, I have sent that 20D (with the lens) back to factory 3 times since then. While the 20D was in the shop last January, I purchased a 50D and have never really been happy with the results. Today, I took both cameras out with a 100mm macro and the 70-200 f2.8 for a test shooting with mixed results. I take a lot of photos of horses so I know my subjects well and when I get a good shot I can count the hairs on their eyelashes. The photo attched was taken in 2005 with the 20D and the 70-200 f2.8 from about 150' with the horse running tword me - I have not been able to get sinmilar results with the 50D. If anyone out there has issue with focus on the 50D I would like to hear but I will most likely send it back for repair.</p><div></div>

<p>You might be right to worried about the focus on the 50D. To begin with, in 2005 I purchased a 20D with a 70-200mm f2.8 (non-IS) in 2005 and got amazing results for about a year and then I began to notice the photos were a little out of focus. To make a vary long story short, I have sent that 20D (with the lens) back to factory 3 times since then. While the 20D was in the shop last January, I purchased a 50D and have never really been happy with the results. Today, I took both cameras out with a 100mm macro and the 70-200 f2.8 for a test shooting with mixed results. I take a lot of photos of horses so I know my subjects well and when I get a good shot I can count the hairs on their eyelashes. The photo attched was taken in 2005 with the 20D and the 70-200 f2.8 from about 150' with the horse running tword me - I have not been able to get sinmilar results with the 50D. If anyone out there has issue with focus on the 50D I would like to hear but I will most likely send it back for repair.</p>

<p>I had the same problem with my new 50D and the DPP software that came with the camera solved all of the problems. Good Luck!</p>

<p>I have sent my 70-200 mm (non IS) back to Canon service center two times in the last 3+ years. Each time I noticed the focus getting worse so I packaged up the 20D with the lens and shipped it off. Both times it was back within 10 days and worked perfectly. Be sure and go the Canon site and get a RO (Return Authorication) so you have the ability to track the equipment. Other than not having the camera in my bag it was painless.</p>

<p>Yes! The the AF selction is automatic - Predictive AF. It takes a lot of practive but with digital who cares?<br>

Good luck</p>

<p>How about a horse of a different color? I always seem to have the subject running in my direction or at an angle away from me. What I have found that works with my 20D and 70-200m is AV, wide open, ISO 100 and AI Servo. With AI Servo I hold the shutter half way down and then release. I did use AI Focus for some time with less than stellar results and a professional I was shooting next to at a horse show suggested I switch to AI Servo. The photo attached was taken while I was on the top of a barn and the horse moving tword me. Like Paul Hornung always said, "practice, practice, practice!"</p><div></div>

<p>I found the KATA C191 Shoulder Bag is great for walking around and does a nice job holding my 20D w/battery grip, 580EX, the 70-200 plus extras, Everything else goes in a lightweight backpack. Simple soltuion!</p>

After a couple of more emails with the Canon techs, I packaged the lens up and sent it back to the California repair facility. I did go on the Canon support site and registered the repair so I can track it on line. I feel naked without that lens in my bag.

Thanks for the comments. The 2 times I sent it back there was never any detail about what they did - but whatever they did,it worked. I received an email today suggesting I clean the contacts on the lens with an erasor and to test both the AF and MF, with and w/o any filters. After doing this I see no change but will wait for the early light tomorrow to test for sure. Very frustrating. This camera and lens are as close to a point and shoot with professional results as I can ask for. Last October I did a shoot at a horse farm and the results were better than I expected but now I do not trust the equipment.

I purchased the 20D and 70-200 f2.8 3+ years ago. My immediate results were

amazing and changed everything I did. However, within a year, the quality of

the photos began to degrade and I shipped the system to Canon for a tune-up.

The camera and lens came back in about 3 weeks and I got great results for

another year and then the same problems began to show up. In March of 07, I

sent the camera and lens back again and when they returned 4 weeks later, it

was like new. One year later (today) I am having the same problems which are

out of focus shots beyond about 20 ft with no other changes in the way I use

the camera. Note: I can use an 18-55mm with excellent results. Today, I

emailed Canon support and received a nice email with the "how to use this

equipment 101" but no other suggestions. Has anyone experienced similar

problems?

I hate to tell you this but 2 years ago photos from my new 20d and 70-200mm were out of focus after about 1,000 activations. I tried everything and when I took it back to the shop I got it from they told me that they would ship it back to Canon for me. I continued to look around and even tried contacting some Canon authorized repair shops I found on one of the photo.net forums but to no avail. I finally went to the Canon site and found the info on sending the camera and lens in for repair - took it to a UPS store, got it package and sent it off. Canon replaced the circuit board and made "adjustments" on both the camera a the lens which took about 3 weeks and it was like a new camera when I got it back.

 

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=10464

 

Good luck

I shoot a 20D w/ 70-200 2.8 using AV in AI Focus mode and horses is about all I do. The key is to practice under a lot of conditions. The struggle I have with focus is whether the horse is moving toward you or across the line of sight. Sometime the best shots are 500ft away and with the quality of the 2.8 you can really get some great shots with creative cropping. I have had some focus problems with my 20d and it has been in the shop twice now, actually it is on the way back from the Cannon repair facility today. Taking photos of horses is like painting them - you have to know confirmation and, for instance, what position a horse's legs are in to present the right perspective. The way to see what really good horse photography is to look at magazines like The Quarterhorse News or the Arbian Horse World and you will see a wide variety of professional horse photographers. I don't make my living from this but have a lot of fun. ScottGipson.com<div></div>

I use MPIX already for my "normal" size printing requirements and have even used them for 16x20 canvas printing but I am talking BIG as above the fireplace big. Thanks anyway. Scott

I am looking for a printer that can deliver large canvas prints. I have seen

samples as big as 5 ft wide and 3 ft high from digital photos and for the

business plan I have need a good printer source. Thanks in advance.

I shipped the camera and lens on 3/22 and got it back on the 20th, 21 working days. What they told me was that they did �an electrical adjustment� to the camera but did replace the main circuit board in the lens (70-200mm 2.8) so when I tried it out this PM, on the front porch since it was raining, it was brand new. When sending in a camera for repair, they send you an email with tracking information and do have a nice web site to track it on but do not update it until after the fact � actually I got more info when I called them.

 

Overall, it was a good experience with the exception of the �lack of camera withdrawals�.

You all have confirmed what I have tought. In fact, today, I went to my camera store and they told me they knew what I was looking for and the 1D may be what I need for this environment but I will take some of your advice and play with the center focus.

Thanks so much, Scott

I have had my 20D for 18 mos and love it dearly but sometimes issues

with the quality of the focus drives me wild. I use the f/2.8 70-

200mm lense for my main subject matters which are horses. When

taking photos of horses running toward me and one time I get an

insanely sharp picutre that I can blow up enough to see the hairs on

it's nose and the next time it is blurred. Using AV mode, I have

been switching between AI Servo and AI Focus trying to find the

right setting but it seems to be hit or miss. Has anyone found the

secret?<div></div>

I consider myself and advanced amateur always wanting to get the top of the line equipment to pursue my passion. When looking to move from an EOS Elan to digital I looked at all of the options, including the Rebel and chose the 20D that came with the 18-55mm and then jumped in with all of my clothes on and purchased the 70-200mm 2.8 (whew!). This new setup has changed my life and I am so happy I went for the 20D. Prior to that purchase, I was on a business trip to DC and met a professional photographer at a company event who was shooting a 10D and she gave me a few quick lessons that moved me to go for the 20D. Yes, I spend a lot of money but I see it as an investment for the future and there no buyer's remorse.