Lens Focusing Tips
While trying to learn how to use my Canon 5Ds, especially in regards to capturing the the best picture quality this camera has to offer, I learned a few things.
I set out for my favorite learning area at the beaver pond at Session Woods. I brought my carbon fiber three section Gitzo tripod, my 100-400mm IS lens, my 1.4 extender which would represent the furthest reach I might have, set my camera to manual, using ISO 50 for the least noise, f/8 for the best resolution, mirror lockup with a 2 second delay to minimize shutter shake, my cable release, and then adjusted my shutter speed accordingly.
I had configured a custom function to allow image playback to instantly go to 100 percent zoom by hitting the set button. This way I could tell if what I wanted in the picture was in sharp focus. The first few pictures were fuzzy and I had to know why.
I turned on live view. When I zoomed to 100 percent, before I even snapped a picture, I found to my horror that the camera was shaking! I took the camera off the tripod and positioned it on a railing. Now, using live view again, the result was a sharp image!
Possible solutions
- Get a bigger ballhead. The one I am using is a mid level ReallyRightSuff ballhead BH-30 so move up to their biggest BH-55.
- Buying a heavier tripod is not an option right now due to the expense and extra weight, especially with my back issues. However, where possible, I can leave the third part of the tripod legs, the smallest diameter, not extended.
- I will set my camera to silent shutter mode which further dampens the shutter release.
- I can also set the lens focusing to manual which would prevent the lens from moving to set focus. The problem with this is that my eyes are not as sharp as they used to be. Age will do that to you!
- Image stabilization offered very little help at those distances. Better to keep it off to prevent possible additional shake.
- Where possible, don’t use the longest reach of the lens zoom, since most lenses are soft at their furthest or shortest magnification.
Hope these tips help.
Enjoy!
My shutter speeds were all over, somewhere between 1/60-1/350 shooting at 550mm, at ISO 50 on purpose to see how it would handle it. I actually ran into the chief photographer at Session Woods who had his 1D M4 and an 800mm prime on a huge old aluminum tripod. He suggested that the carbon fiber tripod I was using might be too light. I’ve suspected that before. He also suggested the ballhead might be too small. I think it is a little of all the above. I really pushed the envelope for my equipment, but I wanted to see where my limitations are and how I can correct as best as possible without having to spend too much more money. I ran into these issues with my Canon 1D M3 when I first got it, which is a very heavy camera, heavier than the 5Ds. That’s why it is good to practice with new equipment before you go on a major trip! Thanks for the comment!
Jerry, what shutter speeds were you using? I’ve shot handheld at 400mm on a 7D, which is an effective focal length that’s longer than you had on the FF body with the 1.4x converter. The images were not fuzzy. I did enable IS on the lens, and it was bright midday sun, so I was using fast shutter speeds.
Curious why you had trouble on a good tripod.
Troy