Soft Backfocus at DVinfo.net

Michael Russell · March 8th, 2006, 11:52 AM

Why does my XL1s seem to have a soft back focus. Of course by this I mean I push all the way in, rack focus, pull out and it is soft. It is driving me crazy.

Thoughts?

Thanks Mike

Richard Alvarez · March 8th, 2006, 12:02 PM

Well, it's possible that your lens' backfocus is out of adjustment. If so, send it in to Canon and get it fixed.

Unless you are shooting with the 16x Manual, in which case you can adjust the back focus yourself.

Mark Bournes · March 8th, 2006, 12:17 PM

Michael, often times I still have to roll through the focus on the 16x IS lens, after I have already zoomed in and set focus. That is why I am upgrading to a manual lens, too many focus issues with the stock lens. If your using the stock lens just roll through it and see if you picture is properly focused, if not you may have to send it in for repairs.
Mark

Dan Euritt · March 8th, 2006, 05:08 PM

welcome to the soft-focus club, michael... i've had two xl's, and they both had soft focus, despite being "adjusted" by the service center... which i think is little more than a software tweak, not an actual backfocus hardware adjustment.

i believe that the new h1 has a real backfocus adjustment.

fwiw, there is an article on the xl watchdog site that discusses how camera settings affect this situation, be sure and read that.

Richard Alvarez · March 8th, 2006, 05:58 PM

I'm glad I shoot with the 16x manual. I check the back focus before every major shoot. Takes about two minutes.

Michael Russell · March 9th, 2006, 12:56 PM

Thanks for the bad news. In ya'll's opinion, given the soft focus issue, should I just buy the 16X manual and not send it in for repair....Or send it in and hope they can fx the old lens?

And, how much are the news lens about $1,200 or so?

Thanks mike

Mark Bournes · March 9th, 2006, 01:06 PM

BH Photo sells the 16x manual lens for 1299.00 new.
or you can try ebay for a used one.
Mark

March 8th, 2006, 11:52 AM	#1
Michael Russell New Boot Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 20	Soft Backfocus Why does my XL1s seem to have a soft back focus. Of course by this I mean I push all the way in, rack focus, pull out and it is soft. It is driving me crazy. Thoughts? Thanks Mike __________________ Results, not intentions count.

March 9th, 2006, 12:56 PM	#6
Michael Russell New Boot Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 20	Follow up Thanks for the bad news. In ya'll's opinion, given the soft focus issue, should I just buy the 16X manual and not send it in for repair....Or send it in and hope they can fx the old lens? And, how much are the news lens about $1,200 or so? Thanks mike __________________ Results, not intentions count.

March 8th, 2006, 12:02 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Well, it's possible that your lens' backfocus is out of adjustment. If so, send it in to Canon and get it fixed. Unless you are shooting with the 16x Manual, in which case you can adjust the back focus yourself.

March 8th, 2006, 12:17 PM	#3
Mark Bournes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 565	Michael, often times I still have to roll through the focus on the 16x IS lens, after I have already zoomed in and set focus. That is why I am upgrading to a manual lens, too many focus issues with the stock lens. If your using the stock lens just roll through it and see if you picture is properly focused, if not you may have to send it in for repairs. Mark

March 8th, 2006, 05:08 PM	#4
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	welcome to the soft-focus club, michael... i've had two xl's, and they both had soft focus, despite being "adjusted" by the service center... which i think is little more than a software tweak, not an actual backfocus hardware adjustment. i believe that the new h1 has a real backfocus adjustment. fwiw, there is an article on the xl watchdog site that discusses how camera settings affect this situation, be sure and read that.

March 8th, 2006, 05:58 PM	#5
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I'm glad I shoot with the 16x manual. I check the back focus before every major shoot. Takes about two minutes.

March 9th, 2006, 01:06 PM	#7
Mark Bournes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 565	BH Photo sells the 16x manual lens for 1299.00 new. or you can try ebay for a used one. Mark