Auto Focus Issue at DVinfo.net

Tobin Strickland · November 2nd, 2011, 10:15 AM

My XH - A1 recently started having auto focus issues.. specifically, it seems it focuses / defocuses almost constantly in very small amounts. I have had it do this with a really slick calm surface of water.. but now it's doing it almost all the time regardless of the background.

Any ideas on what this might be or settings I can adjust (is there a spot focus vs wide field view that i can switch)?

t

John Stakes · November 2nd, 2011, 11:58 AM

The XH-A1 always focuses on what is in the center of the screen. The best thing to do is simply use manual focus. Turn on peaking to check focus. Make sure AGC and AWB are off as well...having them on just causes confusion when you are adjusting settings.

If all else fails, send it in to Canon.

JS

Tobin Strickland · November 2nd, 2011, 12:04 PM

Thanks I was thinking I would have to do that... it is time for a clean and adjust... probably send soon.

apreciate the tips for focus checking.
t

Roger Van Duyn · November 2nd, 2011, 07:26 PM

If the camera is on a tripod, make sure Image Stabilization is turned OFF. Having IS turned on while camera is on tripod can sometimes cause it to "hunt."

Chris Soucy · November 3rd, 2011, 05:32 PM

Try taking off the lens hood and giving the focus sensor on the rhs a good clean, and check the focus sensor aperture in the lens hood for foreign bodies/ fluff, that is the usual culprit with this.

CS

Mark Ahrens · November 3rd, 2011, 08:00 PM

I noticed this same issue with my XH and found that the back focus was bad. I just sent mine in today.
Check your focus in manual mode. Zoom in on a subject, focus and then zoom out. Is the subject now slightly out of focus?

November 2nd, 2011, 10:15 AM	#1
Tobin Strickland Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 86	Auto Focus Issue My XH - A1 recently started having auto focus issues.. specifically, it seems it focuses / defocuses almost constantly in very small amounts. I have had it do this with a really slick calm surface of water.. but now it's doing it almost all the time regardless of the background. Any ideas on what this might be or settings I can adjust (is there a spot focus vs wide field view that i can switch)? t

November 2nd, 2011, 11:58 AM	#2
John Stakes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 558	Re: Auto Focus Issue The XH-A1 always focuses on what is in the center of the screen. The best thing to do is simply use manual focus. Turn on peaking to check focus. Make sure AGC and AWB are off as well...having them on just causes confusion when you are adjusting settings. If all else fails, send it in to Canon. JS

November 2nd, 2011, 12:04 PM	#3
Tobin Strickland Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 86	Re: Auto Focus Issue Thanks I was thinking I would have to do that... it is time for a clean and adjust... probably send soon. apreciate the tips for focus checking. t

November 2nd, 2011, 07:26 PM	#4
Roger Van Duyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 690	Re: Auto Focus Issue If the camera is on a tripod, make sure Image Stabilization is turned OFF. Having IS turned on while camera is on tripod can sometimes cause it to "hunt." __________________ Roger My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA

November 3rd, 2011, 05:32 PM	#5
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Re: Auto Focus Issue Try taking off the lens hood and giving the focus sensor on the rhs a good clean, and check the focus sensor aperture in the lens hood for foreign bodies/ fluff, that is the usual culprit with this. CS

November 3rd, 2011, 08:00 PM	#6
Mark Ahrens Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Plantation, FL Posts: 239	Re: Auto Focus Issue I noticed this same issue with my XH and found that the back focus was bad. I just sent mine in today. Check your focus in manual mode. Zoom in on a subject, focus and then zoom out. Is the subject now slightly out of focus? __________________ Mark Ahrens www.heritagefilms.net